Back to Contents Page

Autoloader Administration: Dell™ PowerVault™ 122T LTO Autoloader

Configuring the Autoloader

The Configuration menu provides access to the following autoloader configuration options:

  • Resetting the autoloader

  • Setting SCSI Ids

  • Autoloader Operating Modes

  • Updating firmware

To access the Configuration menu from the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Configuration appears on the top line of the LCD screen. Press the [Enter] button and then [+] or [-] to access the available options. Press the [Enter] button to execute the displayed menu option.

Resetting the Autoloader

This option resets the autoloader robotics and the tape drive within the autoloader, forces a new cartridge inventory, and clears any current error condition.

NOTE: This option is primarily used if the autoloader is in an error state.

To access this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Configuration appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press [Enter] to select.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Reset appears on the LCD screen.

  4. Press the [Enter] button to reset the autoloader.

  5. After initialization, the autoloader returns to normal operation and displays the Home screen.

Changing the SCSI ID

This option changes the SCSI ID the autoloader and/or tape drive uses. The autoloader occupies two SCSI IDs (target addresses), one is for the tape drive, the other is for the autoloader robotics.

The default SCSI IDs are (5) for the autoloader, and (6) for the tape drive. You should only need to change the SCSI IDs if there is another device on the SCSI bus using the same SCSI ID.

To access this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Configuration appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to select.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Change SCSI ID appears on the LCD screen.

  4. Press the [Enter] button to select.

  5. Press the [+] or [-] button until the desired device is displayed, either Loader or Drive.

  6. Press the [Enter] button. The LCD will then display either Change Loader ID or Change Drive ID depending on which device was selected. The second line will display New SCSI ID: xx. Where XX is the current SCSI ID for that device.

  7. Press the [+] or [-] button until the desired SCSI ID is displayed.

  8. Press the [Enter] button. The LCD screen displays Please Cycle Power. If you need to change the SCSI ID for the other device, go back to step 5 above.

  9. Once both SCSI IDs are set correctly and the Please Cycle Power message is displayed, turn off the autoloader. After a few seconds, turn it back on again.

  10. The selected SCSI ID is now in effect.

NOTE: If you changed either SCSI ID, you may also need to cycle power on the host server and reconfigure your backup software before you can use the autoloader. Consult your hardware and software manuals for more information.

Autoloader Operating Modes

Overview

The operating mode is set based on whether you have automation software controlling cartridges in the autoloader or if you are manually loading and unloading cartridges using the autoloader Operator's Panel commands. The autoloader always operates in Autodetect Mode, which is transparent to you. In Autodetect Mode, the autoloader automatically assumes that you are not using an automation software package to control cartridge or drive activity. This is called Stacker or Sequential Mode. If the autoloader detects that an automation software package is controlling tape/drive activity, it will automatically switch to Random Mode.

Random Mode

This is the normal mode of operation when a backup software application is being used. In Random Mode, the autoloader will not automatically load tapes into the drive; it instead waits for commands from the software. To use Random Mode, you do not need to configure anything from the autoloader front panel, but your backup software package must support autoloaders, which often requires the additional installation of an autoloader/library software module.

Sequential Mode

Sequential Mode is useful when an adequate software application is not available. In Sequential Mode, the autoloader will automatically unload and load tapes from the drive. The operator determines the first tape to load by loading the desired tape into the tape drive using the autoloader's front panel controls. See Loading Cartridges for instructions. When the first tape is full or unloaded for any other reason, the autoloader automatically removes the tape from the drive, puts it in its original slot, then loads the next available higher numbered slot, continuing this sequence with each available higher numbered slot. To further determine how you want tapes loaded into the autoloader's tape drive while in Sequential Mode, you may set Circular and Autoload options from the autoloader front panel. When the autoloader is in Sequential Mode, the LCD will display ‘SEQ’ in the lower right corner of the display.

Circular Mode On/Off

This option turns Circular Mode on or off, and is only used when in sequential Mode. When Circular Mode is on, after the autoloader has cycled through all available cartridges, it then reloads the original first cartridge in the sequence. If Circular Mode is turned off and the last cartridge has been unloaded, the autoloader stops loading cartridges until you manually load another cartridge.

NOTICE: Use Caution when choosing Circular Mode as it makes it possible to overwrite data on previously written cartridges.

To access this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Configuration appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to select.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Circular Mode appears on the LCD screen. The second line on the LCD screen indicates the current status, either On or Off.

  4. Press the [Enter] button. The LCD screen indicates whether you are about to turn Circular Mode on or off.

  5. Press the [Enter] button to accept the change to Circular Mode or [Cancel] to exit and not save the changes.

Autoload Mode On/Off

This option turns Autoload Mode on or off, and is only used when in sequential Mode. When Autoload Mode is on, the autoloader automatically loads the cartridge from the lowest numbered full slot into the tape drive when powered on. It then follows standard sequential operation as described above.

To access this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Configuration appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to select.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Autoload Mode appears on the LCD screen. The second line on the LCD screen indicates the current status, either On or Off.

  4. Press the [Enter] button. The LCD screen indicates whether you are about to turn Autoload Mode on or off.

  5. Press the [Enter] button to accept the change to Autoload Mode or [Cancel] to exit and not save the changes.

Updating Firmware

NOTICE: Regardless of the firmware update technique, Do not power cycle or reset the autoloader during the upgrade process. Doing so could cause the autoloader to become inoperable.

Using a Firmware Upgrade Tape

This option performs a firmware code update on the tape drive using a firmware upgrade cartridge. Note that this technique upgrades the tape drive only, and cannot be used to upgrade the autoloader robotics. To update the autoloader robotics, see Using SCSI below.

NOTE: This code update operation assumes that the upgrade tape is imported as part of this procedure. Do not import the firmware update cartridge before starting this procedure.

To use this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Configuration appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to select.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Code Update appears on the LCD screen. Press the [Enter] button to select.

  4. If the carousel is full, the LCD screen displays No slot free for transfer. Press the [Cancel] button repeatedly until the main menu or Home Screen is displayed. Export a cartridge to make room for the firmware update cartridge. See Exporting Cartridges for instructions. Then return to step 1 to update the firmware.

  5. If the carousel is not full, the autoloader will select the first available slot and prompt you to insert the code update cartridge.

  6. Insert the code update cartridge into the Media Door.

    NOTE: If the cartridge is not a valid code update cartridge, the cartridge will be exported and the LCD will display Bad upgrade tape.

  7. During the firmware update, which can take several minutes, the LCD screen displays CODE UPDATE IN PROGRESS. When firmware update is complete, the autoloader resets, then unloads and exports the code update cartridge. Remove the code update cartridge and press the [Enter] button when the LCD screen prompts you to do so.

  8. If you exported a data cartridge to make room for the code update cartridge, be sure to import the cartridge to its original slot. See Importing Cartridges for instructions.

    9. NOTE: After a firmware update, the firmware revision displayed on the LCD will not be updated until the Autoloader is power cycled.

Using SCSI

Dell has the files and instructions necessary to update both drive and autoloader firmware via SCSI. Refer to support.dell.com for details.

Running the Autoloader System Test

The System Test option cycles the autoloader through the process of loading and unloading all cartridges in the carousel. Running a System Test verifies the operational soundness of both the autoloader and tape drive. The System Test continues indefinitely until you press the [Cancel] button. All regular backup or restore operations are suspended while a System Test is in progress.

To run a System Test:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Diagnostics appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to select. System Test will now be displayed.

  3. Press the [Enter] button to begin the test.

  4. The Test Count displays the number of load-unload cycles that have been completed during the test.

  5. Press the [Cancel] button to end the test.

Retrieving Information About the Autoloader

The Information menu provides access to information about the autoloader, including the cycle count, event log, and firmware revision.

Cycle Count

This option displays the total system cycle count, incrementing each time a tape is loaded into the drive or exported from the autoloader.

To use this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Information appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to access the available options.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Cycle Count appears on the LCD screen.

  4. The LCD screen displays the total cycle count.

  5. Press the [Cancel] button when done.

View Event Log

This option provides access to the most recent autoloader errors and events (See Autoloader Error Codes For a Description of Error Codes).

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Information appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to access the available options.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until View Event Log appears on the LCD screen. The LCD screen also displays the quantity of errors and events currently stored in the event log.

  4. Press the [Enter] button to access the most recently logged event.

  5. Press the [+] or [-] button to display each event in the log.

  6. Press [Cancel] when done.

Firmware Revision

This option displays the revision of the firmware currently installed in the autoloader.

NOTE: The tape drive and autoloader firmware are a single image, but the image displays as three firmware numbers on the front panel, Drive SCSI Controller, Robotics Controller Firmware, and Robotics SCSI Controller Firmware.

To use this option, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home Screen or main menu, press the [+] or [-] button until Information appears on the top line of the LCD screen.

  2. Press the [Enter] button to access the available options.

  3. Press the [+] or [-] button until Firmware Rev appears on the LCD screen.

  4. The LCD screen displays the revision of the firmware currently installed in the autoloader.

NOTE: After a firmware update, the firmware revision displayed on the LCD will not be updated until the Autoloader is power cycled.

  • Press [Cancel] when done

Back to Contents Page