Geoffrey, I'd have to question the reason behind the requirement.

If this is to be done to a tape (or set of tapes) prior to relabeling and
using them as scratch in the same library then I'd question why they were in
the library in the first place.

If this is to be done prior to removing and disposing of the tapes, then
much time, effort, and wear on machines can be saved by applying a 5-pound
sledge-hammer to the tape, followed with a hot wire or hot knife to the tape
afterward. The resale value of used 3590E tape is not high enough to make
secure erasure worth while.

Tom Kauffman
NIBCO, Inc

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gill, Geoffrey L. [mailto:GEOFFREY.L.GILL AT SAIC DOT COM]
> Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 9:40 AM
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: Overwriting Tapes outside of TSM
>
>
> I'm wondering if anyone who has a 3494 library, or one
> similar in function,
> can help with this. I've been asked if there is a way for me
> to overwrite a
> tape with a random pattern, or even a specific pattern, from
> beginning to
> end 3 times. This wouldn't use any functions of TSM in itself. I could
> probably do something similar in TSM but would have to fill a tape
> completely and move and delete data from a tape.
>
> If anyone has run in to this situation and can do it, or
> knows of a software
> package that will, I would like to hear from you. The library
> is automated
> so any script would have to mount a specific tape to a drive
> outside of TSM.
>
> My environment:
> TSM Server AIX 4.3.3
> TSM Version 5.1.5.1
> 3494 Library with 3590E drives.
>
> Geoff Gill
> TSM Administrator
> NT Systems Support Engineer
> SAIC
> E-Mail:    <mailto:gillg AT saic DOT com> gillg AT saic DOT com
> Phone:  (858) 826-4062
> Pager:   (877) 905-7154
>