Mailslot Sun StorageTek SL48 - NetBackup 7.0.1(UNIX)

[MartinVi]

Hi all,

we add a Sun StorageTek SL48 library with 3 available mailslots to our Media Server which is running NetBackup version 7.0.1. Also the Master server is running NetBackup 7.0.1. We have no problems to add the tape library to NetBackup but we could not see the mailslots!

Product ID	MSL G3 Series
Currently Installed Library Firmware	G.30 / 3.00e
Bootcode Firmware Revision	0.80
Barcode Reader	CSE600
Library Mode	Automatic, Random

Is it possible to manage this mailslots with NetBackup? Or did we make a misstake in our conifguration?

Thanks

[Marianne]

For some of the smaller STK libraries, it is possible to configure mailslot(s) into normal tape slots in order to increase the library capacity. You will need the user manual for the library to see how to to check/verify. Unfortunately with SUN taking over STK and Oracle taking over SUN subsequently, I find it nearly impossible to find ANY STK documentation on the Oracle web site.

You can also use 'robtest' to send a query to the robot to display its mailslot(s). See http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH83129

s p     returns the status of all "media access port" slots

*** EDIT ***

Mail slots cannot be seen by NBU -  they are exclusively used by the library.

You will never be able to do a robot inventory and see mailslots from 'Show robot contents'.  You can however select "Empty media access port prior to update"  when "Update volume configuration" is selected.

The Media section of the GUI will also only display contents of 'normal' slots.

[Yasuhisa_Ishika]

You can check number of "media access port"(mailslot) configured by /usr/openv/volmgr/bin/scan. Also, you can check contents of MAP by typing "s p" sub command in robtest(/usr/openv/volmgr/bin/robtest). Don't forget to quit from robtest. Robtest acquires robot control, and NetBackup can not use robot while.

[MartinVi]

okay, thanks for your first help!

 i can see the mailslots with the robtest:

 s p
Address 101, import_enabled = 1, export_enabled = 1, access = 1
  except = 0, import_export = 0, full = 0
Address 102, import_enabled = 1, export_enabled = 1, access = 1
  except = 0, import_export = 1, full = 1
  Source address = 102
  Barcode = CAA000L5                       
Address 103, import_enabled = 1, export_enabled = 1, access = 1
  except = 0, import_export = 0, full = 0
READ_ELEMENT_STATUS complete
^C
 

The user manual of the library say:

The mailslots are used only with host systemsoftware that supports this feature.

 I try to do a media access port request:

 --------------------------------------------------------------------
Jun 16, 2011 8:06:43 AM
Robot: TLD(0) on rozrhbckp01
Operation: Inventory and Update
EMM Server: rozrhbckb01
--------------------------------------------------------------------
media access port request reported that the robotic library is full:
   *** Failed to find an available slot to inject to ***
Generating list of recommended changes ...

Proposed Change(s) to Update the Volume Configuration
=====================================================
Volume configuration is up-to-date with robot contents.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------- 

So to use the media access ports of the library there should be free slots in the device. Is there a way to automate and monitor this procedure?

Thanks ...

[Yasuhisa_Ishika]

This is equivalent of "Volume configuration update" plus "Empty media access ports prior to update". # /usr/openv/volmgr/bin/vmupdate -h rozrhbckp01-rt tld -rn 0 -rh rozrhbckp01 -use_barcode_rules -empty_map to check slots are empty or not, use vmcheckxxx. # /usr/openv/volmgr/bin/vmcheckxxx -h rozrhbckp01-rt tld -rn 0 -rh rozrhbckp01

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

So, you want to inject new media from the MAP/CAP but the robot is full?

Not sure what about this you need to automate. To add new media, you will have to eject some tapes first.

The NetBackup Vault option can be used to automatically eject media based on selection criteria in Vault profile. 'Someone' still has to manually remove the tapes from the CAP and then insert new ones.

'AUTO_UPDATE_ROBOT' in vm.conf of robot control host will automatically empty the CAP. Restart NBU after adding entry. (More details of this entry in NBU Admin Guide II.)
 

[MartinVi]

Hi all,

thanks for your help!

Regards,

Martin