RE: BRMS, TS3100 and being totally ridiculous

[<lgoodbar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

What does IBM say on the subject? Is it just with the TS3100 or any unit
with a mail slot?


I do not have a single-feed unit. We use a 3581 (7 slots with 1 occupied
with barcode reader). The front panel opens to access the front 5 slots,
the other 2 slots are accessed via front slots 1/2 or 2/3 (if using
barcode reader). The BRMS move operation never attempts to eject the
tapes.

For what it's worth, our move policy "Verify moves" value is *YES:

*YES
Media moves performed for this move policy by the Move Media
using BRM (MOVMEDBRM) command must be verified by you.

*NO
Media moves performed for this move policy by the Move Media
using BRM (MOVMEDBRM) command are automatically verified by 
BRMS.
 

Now our Windows servers tape drive is a PITA to use, just as you
describe. The backup software (I forget the name) makes you eject 1 tape
at a time, and you have to wait for it to deliver it to the mail slot.


Sorry I could not help more....
Loyd

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jerry Draper
Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 12:44 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: BRMS, TS3100 and being totally ridiculous

The lack of integration between IBM's BRMS and the IBM TS3100 tape 
magazine/drive (24 slots) makes for an awkward system that cannot be 
automated.

BRMS is setup with a move policy that runs on Friday mornings.  We move 
tapes once per week.  Eligible tapes need to have their locations 
changed in the BRMS database from TAPMLB02 to OFFSITE.  A movement 
report needs to tell the operator which tapes to remove from the system.

Wouldn't it be nice if it worked seamlessly?

Running tape movement causes a tape error because only one tape can be 
"ejected" from the TS3100 at a time.  You just can't move tapes in BRMS 
without the system trying to eject the tapes.