LTO support on Win2K -- no longer requires RSM

For those who want to spell "relief" on Win2K with LTO, an excerpt from the
4.1.3.0 TSM server read1sts (README) file:

 ************************************************************************
 * $$3 Additonal information on support for LTO Tape Drives on Windows  *
 ************************************************************************

  TSM allows users to define the 3581, 3583 and 3584 IBM LTO libraries as
LIBTYPE=SCSI

  Because Windows 2000's Removable Storage Manager (or RSM)  does not always

  handle devices properly behind a SAN, TSM is now allowing 3581, 3583, and
3584
  libraries to be defined as type SCSI.  (RSM does not auto-configure the
libraries
  on the SAN Data Gateway because the SDG re-maps the SCSI device id's and
logical
  unit number's of the drives in the library and RSM cannot resolve the SDG
addresses
  with those contained in the Read Element Status data for the drives.)

  When 3581, 3583, or 3584 libraries are defined as type SCSI, TSM device
driver on
  Windows 2000 will control the medium-changer in the 3581, 3583 and 3584
libraries.

  TSM will continue to support the definition of the library as type RSM for
those customers
  who wish to utilize RSM.  With the introduction of the SSD LTO technology,
TSM has changed
  how it supports SSD tape devices and uses the SSD device driver to control
the LTO drives
  on the NT platforms.  Now SSD LTO customers can easily download microcode
updates and perform
  other serviceability functions. Whether RSM or TSM device driver controls
the medium-changer
  in the library, the SSD device driver will control the LTO drives.

  Those customers who wish to migrate from LIBTYPE=RSM to LIBTYPE=SCSI
should
  follow this procedure:

  - Disable RSM.
  - Install the TSM device driver and ensure it recognizes the LTO library.
  - Delete the current LIBTYPE=RSM definition for the LTO library.
  - Define the LTO library via the DEFINE LIBRARY  command using
LIBTYPE=SCSI.
  - Define the drives in the LTO library via the DEFINE DRIVE command.

  - Check the volumes via the CHECKIN LIBVOLUME command using SEARCH=YES.

  - First use STATUS=SCRATCH.

  - TSM will not check volumes defined to a storage pool or in the volume
     history file into its library inventory.
  - Then use STATUS=PRIVATE.
  - TSM will now check volumes defined to a storage pool or in the volume
     history file into its library inventory.

   Refer to the following web pages for default element addresses of the IBM
LTO Libraries
   IBM 3583 -
http://www.tivoli.com/support/storage_mgr/devices_latest/atab104.htm
   IBM 3584 -
http://www.tivoli.com/support/storage_mgr/devices_latest/atab101.htm

Don France

Technical Architect - Unix Engineering/P.A.C.E.
San Jose, CA
mailto:dfrance AT pacbell DOT net
PACE - http://www.pacepros.com
Bus-Ph:   (408) 257-3037