Using AIX 4.3.0, ADSM 3.1.2.0
I'm having trouble labelling new blank tapes in our new
StorageTek 9714 library with 2 DLT7000 drives.

I have tried using 'label libvolume'
with 'labels=barcode' and both 'search=bulk' and 'search=yes'
and also dsmlabel specifying the drive explicitly.

Tapes that were pre-labelled by our library supplier are
fine and can be overwritten using the overwrite option.

dsmlabel gives the error :

ANR9736E An I/O error occurred while accessing library device '/ANR9736E An I/O
error occurred while accessing library device '/dev/lb0'.

The tape loaded via the I/O port is moved into the drive and is loaded
ready for use and is left there after the error.

The errpt log shows error ADSM_DD_LOG5 ADSM-SCSI-LB UNDETERMINED ERROR

The strange thing is - if I then put something on the front of this
tape :

tctl -f /dev/rmt3 rewind
dd of=/dev/rmt3.1 bs=1k conv=sync
dummy label
^D

and then go through the same process it works fine ( I don't even need
the overwrite option ).

I tried using the trace option in both cases and the essential differences
seem to be :
OK
<28322>ltsscsi.c(1936): Issuing library IOCTL; func=0x00006C03.
<28322>dts.c(198): Writing label; drive=/dev/mt0, vol=CL0023, side=A.
<28322>tapeio.c(163): Waiting for drive /dev/mt0 to become ready.
<28322>tapeio.c(232): Reading tape label.
<28322>tapeio.c(255): VOL1 signature not found.
<28322>tapeio.c(312): Writing tape label; vol=CL0023.

Not OK
<5296>ltsscsi.c(1936): Issuing library IOCTL; func=0x00006C03.
<5296>ltsscsi.c(2274): Library error; rc=0000004E, cc=205, sense=
<5296>labeler.c(677): Worker thread preparing new volume.
<5296>dts.c(163): Getting parameters for drive /dev/mt0.

cc=205 means SCSI adapter failure but that seems rather unlikely.

If I run an audit on the library that also gives up as soon as it loads
up a new blank tape into the drive. That fails with ANR8300E
(OP=00006C0E, CC=314 ) 'source slot or drive was empty in an attempt to
move a volume'.

Has anyone else come across this problem ?

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
 Steven Bridge     Systems Group, Information Systems, EISD
                          University College London
 email: s.bridge AT ucl.ac DOT uk                   tel: +44 171-504 2794