Based on our experience:

1. E drives can read B tapes, if they are set to read-only in ADSM.
2. E drives will not write to partially filled B tapes (see 1., ADSM will
tell you that no drives are available).
3. Scratch tapes labeled by a B drive are 'upgraded' to an E tape by the E
drive upon first use.

We upgraded our 4 drives 2 at a time so for a period of time we only ran the
E drives and keep the B drives off-line (they are all in the same library).
This way we didn't have the problem of E tapes in a B drive, but based on
what we have seen -- ADSM keeps track of the tape types anyway.

Make sure you have the latest 747 microcode on the E drives.

Word of advice, get the other two drives upgraded or keep the different
drive types in separate libraries.

Ken


> -----Original Message-----
> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU]On Behalf Of
> Bronson, David
> Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 1999 15:56
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: 3590 B-11 -----> 3590 mocel E's
>
>
> I have 2 3590 B-11's and will getting 1 3590 model E and upgrading one of
> the B-11's to an E.
> My sever is 3.1.2.1 and my Atape driver is 4.4.0.0
> What are problems I might run into with configuration, any and all
> information would be helpful.
>
> Dave Bronson
> Unix Admin.
> Compass Group, USA
>