Re: Tape Management Prior To BRMS Implementation

[Loyd Goodbar <loyd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since posting the below, I've heard two additional items, which may/may not
help you.

1. The first position of the barcode text (F,G,etc.) is the tape type. All our
tapes start with "F", so we don't bother using that in our volume ids.

2. I have hearsay that IBM guarantees that the barcode text of a tape type (F)
is unique. If you have multiple 3570 tape types (F, G), I don't know if the
barcodes are unique across all tape types, or just within each type.

HTH,
Loyd (same as below, but from home)

On Tue, 19 Nov 2002 13:49:10 -0600, "Goodbar, Loyd (AFS-Water Valley)"
<LGoodbar@afs.bwauto.com> wrote:

>We use the last 6 characters of the bar code. I highly doubt you'll get a
>collision on the volume IDs. It's extremely easy to use as it requires no
>re-labeling of the tape. Your media, movement, and restore reports will be
>easier to follow because the actual barcode label is the volume id. We don't
>have a barcode reader and must id the tapes by hand.
>
>Loyd
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Shaw [mailto:mhshaw@worldnet.att.net]
>Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 1:33 PM
>To: midrange-l@midrange.com
>Subject: Tape Management Prior To BRMS Implementation
>
>
>Folks,
>
>I am getting ready to do a BRMS install and I am trying to get the tape
>library squared away and ready for this.  In terms of unique vol id's being
>assigned, I am there.  What I have is two different flavors of 3570 media
>and they have that funky 7 character, randomly generated bar coded vol id's
>on the end of each cartridge.  The vol id's look like F1A62Z7 or G0AA1C6.
>
>Am I better off getting away from that and assigning 6 character vol id's
>that make more sense?  I would be curious to hear how others have handled
>3570 tape cartridges with this strange vol id assignment and how you got
>BRMS to handle it.  <BTW>There are at least 500 3570 vol id's..............
>
>Thanks!
>
>Regards,
>
>Mike Shaw
>Kendell-Jackson Enterprises
>Santa Rosa, CA

--
"Why, you can even hear yourself think." --Hobbes
"This is making me nervous. Let's go in." --Calvin
loyd@blackrobes.net  ICQ#504581  http://www.blackrobes.net/