Notes from a previous PMR related to volume status and ADDMLMBRM
If the volume was in an *EJECTED status, then this volume would not have been added to the tape library. The ADDMLMBRM command defaults to use VOL(*INSERT), so only volumes in an *INSERTED status would be added.
Generally if a volume is ejected, the volume should be removed from the IO door and then a WRKTAPCTG or WRKMLMBRM command run to update the status (basically report that the volume is no longer in the tape library). Then put the volume back in the IO slot and ADDMLMBRM should pull it back in.
If you do not want to physically remove the cartridge from the IO slot, then a circumvention of running WRKMLMBRM opt 6 to change category will usually change the status of the cartridge back to available.
I what you saw is working as designed as this is how tape libraries function.
You may find technote N1018959: Status of Cartridges in 358x , 357x, TS3xxx Tape Libraries (
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1018959 ) helpful. In particular:
Ejecting Volumes from 3582, 3583, 3584, 3573, or 3576 Tape Libraries
When ejecting volumes from these tape libraries, the status of the cartridges changes to an EJECTED status. Volumes will remain in an EJECTED status until they are physically removed from the tape library and a DSPTAPSTS or WRKTAPCTG command is run with the cartridges out of the tape library. It is important to note that the cartridges should not be returned to the drive or the I/O station until after the command is complete for the status to change to INSERTED. If there are multiple IBM Power Systems connected to the same tape library, the status of the volumes on the other systems will change to INSERTED on each system. When a volume is shown as MOUNTED or AVAILABLE on multiple systems and it is moved to the I/O station via BRMS movement, RMVTAPCTG, or WRKTAPCTG Option 4, the status of the cartridge on that system changes to EJECTED and on the other systems it changes to INSERTED.
-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of rob@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 1:05 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: BRMS And VTL
We only load up our tape library once a week. Yet we remove our tapes daily. On the day that we load up our tapes we fill our 18 I/O slots and then run ADDMLMBRM MLB(TAPKVL01) ADDVOL(*NO) This moves the tapes from the I/O slots and also puts them into the proper state.
We repeat as necessary. (We can't fit a weeks worth with only 18 I/O slots - five lpars use this.) When that is done we run WRKMEDBRM LOC(TAPKVL01) SYSNAME(*ALL) and ensure that they are truly expired tapes, and not flagged as *ERR. Then we run STRBALBRM ACTION(*BALANCE) MEDCLS(ULTRIUM4) LOC(TAPKVL01).
STRBALBRM MEDCLS(ULTRIUM4) LOC(TAPKVL01)
Now, I've heard excellent people, whom I highly respect, say you need to run commands like WRKTAPCTG and SETTAPCGY. It often goes months before I ever have to use these commands now that I do everything with BRMS. Back when I had the tape library, and fought BRMS I ended up using those commands daily. Now I only use them if something has really gone haywire with the tape library.
But the command you're looking for is probably that ADDMLMBRM.
Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1 Group Dekko Dept 1600 Mail to: 2505 Dekko Drive
Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com
From: <ldwopt@xxxxxxx>
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 03/18/2014 11:05 AM
Subject: BRMS And VTL
Sent by: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
We are starting to use virtual tape library (VTL) for backup controlled by
BRMS.
We are trying to find a way in BRMS to change a tape category from
*ejected and status *ejected to category *share400 and status of
*available automatically..
Thanks in advance
Dave Willenborg
FNTS
Omaha NE
midrange.com
