Hi Dan,
I'm just about to do something like you, and I just have the following idea.
>From experience, a 10 sec. wait is enough for the request to be generated in
tsm, so either a wait statement that waits 10 seconds, or creating a
for-loop that runs for about 10 seconds, and then continue.
Another idea, would be to (repeatedly) issue command q req, and on the right
RETURN code (0), continue the script.
I can't remember how to catch the return code through dsmadmc, but I'm sure
someone else on the list can tell us. (or you could use the command with the
outfile option, then parse the file for the info wanted.

My best choice would be to use a wait, that waits long enough for the
request to be created, just because it makes the script shorter (usually).

Rgds.
Geirr G. Halvorsen

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Foster [mailto:dsf AT GBLX DOT NET]
Sent: 3. marts 2003 09:24
To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
Subject: Automatic checkin on a 3584?


Howdy -

        I seem to be having some sort of timing issues with the checkin
process via an automated script. The procedure:

        1. Fill the I/O station(s) with brought back tapes to be checkin'd
        2. Issue a 'checkin libvol <library> search=bulk status=scratch
                checklabel=barcode'
        3. Wait a bit for a request to appear in the request queue
        4. Issue a reply corresponding to what appears in 'q req'
        5. Wait a bit for the whole checkin process to finish in search mode
        6. Issue a 'checkin libvol <library> search=bulk status=private
                checklabel=barcode'
        7. Wait a bit for a request to appear in the request queue
        8. Issue a reply corresponding to what appears in 'q req'

        Manually, works great. My script parses all data just fine using
dsmadmc in batch mode (with -id= -pass=...) and the command syntax is
correct -- I know because it works fine by hand.

        I'm a little stuck in getting the exact timing *just right* for the
delays as well as the best way to construct a while loop logic to get the
timing right. It just runs through it so fast that it exits before it's
got a chance to answer both requests. Detecting certain corner cases seems
a little interesting when you throw in vagaries of timing, also.

        Alas, "cheating" by direct loading and using search=yes to avoid
the requests isn't an option for the weekly tape swaps. ;)

        Does anyone happen to have a similiar script fragment or even just
suggestions on how to construct the while loop 'just so'? :) Anything would
be much appreciated! (I'm trying to make the limited human interaction with
tapes reasonably bulletproof without requiring them to manually wade
through TSM - reduces chances of errors and not all personnel are skilled.)

-Dan