Fellow adsmers,

    Hello there.  We installed adsm (3.1.1.5 on AIX) this last summer
using a STK9730 automated DLT tape library and I was given the
responsibility to make it work.  My job has been a living hell ever
since. Out of nowhere, I/O errors appeared, became worse, and it has
gotten to the point where I cannot do any operation that requires the
tape drive.  In the beginning, I protested the idea of buying a tape
drive from a different vendor.  It just makes sense to go with both IBM
software and hardware. For the past 4 months, IBM has been telling me
that these problems we've been encountering are a hardware issue, and
STK firmly believes that they're a software problem!!!  We tried
everything from replacing SSCI cards to upgrading microcode on the
drives, but all to no avail.
    Now, I have to go to upper management and try and explain why we
should return this STK9730 and replace it with an IBM product, such as a
Magstar. If there is anyone out there who has had similar compatibility,
performance, or reliability problems with either STK devices or DLT
tapes, your stories and input would be most appreciated.  I need to
build up a good argument for the guys upstairs.
    Thank you very much in advance,

adam
aslesinger AT us.bnsmc DOT com