Data Path Conditioning; Host Attachment - Quantum Scalar i6000 User Manual

Chapter 1: Description
Library Features

Data Path Conditioning

Host Attachment

40
failed connection to a working connection without disrupting the
backup operation, maintains connectivity whether the failure occurs on
the host, the switch, or the library.
Your backup system and data path are idle most of the time. When
backups begin, the system is used intensively at maximum bandwidth.
The library provides you with notifications and a robust ticket system
that notifies you of any problems it identifies, enabling you to solve
them before backups begin. For more information about the library's
notification system, ticket system, and other troubleshooting help, see
Troubleshooting Your Library
Quantum provides an automatic means of verifying, monitoring, and
protecting data path integrity between hosts and library drives. This
feature is referred to as data path conditioning. Using this feature,
administrators can proactively detect and resolve data path problems
before they affect backups, restore operations, and other data transfer
operations. Data path conditioning makes sure that data transmissions
are optimized and reliable, resulting in improved system availability.
Data path conditioning occurs in two separately managed areas:
• Between host and Fibre Channel (FC) I/O blades
• Between FC I/O blades and library drives
The FC I/O blade manages data path conditioning along the path
between itself and the library drives. Data path monitoring
automatically occurs at regular, configurable intervals. The FC I/O blade
generates a RAS ticket if monitoring tests fail for two intervals. This
indicates either loss of connectivity or drive failure. The FC I/O blades
include the data path conditioning feature. Administrators can use the
LMC to configure data path conditioning.
Requests issued from the host application result in cartridge movement
in the library. The primary requests issued are for mounting and
dismounting cartridges in and out of the tape drives and for importing
and exporting cartridges in and out of the library. The library manages
the physical location. In addition to requesting cartridge movement in
the library, the host application can use the FC command interface to
obtain status information, configuration information, and cartridge
storage information from the library.
on page 43.
Quantum Scalar i6000 User's Guide