Data path failover and load balancing exclusively support native Fibre Channel Ultrium 2 and Ultrium 3 Tape Drives in a IBM 3582 library using the IBM tape device driver for AIX, Linux, and Solaris. Note: Load balancing is not supported on Solaris. Data path failover provides a failover mechanism in the IBM device driver, which enables you to configure multiple
redundant paths in a SAN environment. In the event of a path or component failure, the failover mechanism is designed to automatically provide error recovery to retry the current operation using an alternate, preconfigured path without aborting the current job in progress.
This allows you flexibility in SAN configuration, availability, and management.
When accessing a tape drive device that has been configured with alternate pathing across multiple host ports, the IBM device driver automatically selects a path through the host bus adapter (HBA) that has the fewest open tape devices, and assigns that path to the
application. This autonomic self-optimizing capability is called load balancing. The dynamic load balancing support is designed to optimize resources for devices that have physical connections to multiple HBAs in the same machine. The device driver is designed to dynamically track the usage on each HBA as applications open and close devices, and balance the number of applications using each HBA in the machine. This may help optimize
HBA resources and improve overall performance. Further, data path failover provides autonomic self-healing capabilities similar to control path failover, with transparent failover to an alternate data path in the event of a failure in the primary host-side path.
Data path failover and load balancing for Ultrium 3 Tape drives in all supported operating environments require an optional feature 1681 and the control path failover feature code 1680. Data path failover and load balancing for Ultrium 2 Tape drives in an AIX environment require the control path failover feature 1680 but do not require an optional feature; in non-AIX environments, the control path failover feature 1680 and an RPQ are required.
Remote Management Unit
Available as an optional feature, a Remote Management Unit (RMU) provides an Ethernet port, so that the library can be configured as a TCP/IP device in the network. Library status can be sent to the network as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) traps. The IBM Ultrium Tape Library Specialist enables network access (via Web browser) to the library for more detailed status and control. All library Operator panel functions can be accessed using the IBM Ultrium Tape Library Specialist.
Figure 1-8 shows the IBM 3582.
Figure 1-8 IBM TotalStorage 3582 Tape Library
1.1.6 IBM TotalStorage 3583 Tape Library
The IBM TotalStorage 3583 Tape Library (abbreviated to IBM 3583) is a high-performance, reliable, and scalable tape subsystem. Designed for tape automation, the IBM 3583 attaches to a variety of server and operating system platforms (See 1.2.1, “Hardware server platforms”
on page 28).
The IBM 3583 can contain IBM Ultrium 1 (no longer available), Ultrium 2, or Ultrium 3 tape drives for fast data transfer and reliability in automated library service. The Ultrium 2 cartridge holds 200 GB. The Ultrium 3 cartridge holds 400 GB.
Note: The RMU is required when Fibre Channel drives are installed.
With Ultrium 2 drives and media, the IBM 3583 library provides a sustained data rate of up to 35 MB per second (uncompressed). With Ultrium 3 drives and media, the IBM 3583 provides a sustained data rate of up to 80 MB per second (uncompressed). With Ultrium 1 drives and media, the IBM 3583 provides a sustained data rate of up to 20 MB per second
(uncompressed).
Each aspect of the library subsystem has been designed for repeated, reliable, and unattended tape handling. The tape handling mechanism is designed to reliably move cartridges to IBM Ultrium Tape Drives within the library. The IBM Ultrium tape cartridges have been refined using the many years of IBM tape experience to provide a tape cartridge that provides fast data transfer, but stands up to the rigors of automated handling.
The tape library is designed for easy expansion. It can accommodate from one to six tape drives and from 18 to 72 cartridges. There are three Library Models: L18, L36, and L72. The cartridge capacities of the models are:
IBM 3583-L18: 18 cartridges
IBM 3583-L36: 36 cartridges
IBM 3583-L72: 72 cartridges
The IBM 3580-L18 and IBM 3580-L36 can be field upgraded to hold 72 cartridges. Cartridge expansion is in increments of 18 cartridges. One IBM Ultrium drive is required and five additional drives are available for factory or field installation. Upgrade features are modular units that are easy to install.
Table 1-1 and Table 1-2 show the storage capacity of the IBM 3583 Library models with Ultrium 2 and Ultrium 3 tape drives.
Table 1-1 IBM 3583 model capacities with Ultrium 2 tape drives
Table 1-2 IBM 3583 model capacities with Ultrium 3 tape drives Model Cartridge slots Data capacity
The tape library input/output (I/O) station enables cartridges to be inserted and removed without disrupting library operation. The IBM 3583 comes standard with a one-cartridge I/O station on the 3583-L18 and L36, or a 12-cartridge I/O station on the IBM 3583-L72. The IBM 3583-L18 and L36 can be upgraded to a 12-cartridge I/O station with an optional feature (#8012). The I/O station can be defined as I/O slots or data storage and the definition affects the number of cartridges available for data storage. Refer to Table 1-3 and Table 1-4 for the various combinations and resulting cartridge storage capacities.
Table 1-3 IBM 3583-L18 and L36 library capacity with feature #8012
Table 1-4 IBM 3583-L72 library capacity