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Non-Standard Label Formats
By default, the library uses the eight-character label format that is standard for LTO
cartridges. While most backup and storage management applications support the
standard LTO labeling format, a few use proprietary labeling schemes to track
volumes. If you use such an application, you can, in most cases, configure the SL150 to
automatically translate between the physical labels on your cartridges and the logical
label format that the application uses internally.
Translating Between Physical and Logical Labels
To accommodate the fullest range of possible labeling schemes, the library supports
labels 8 to 14 characters long and provides a label windowing feature that lets you
specify how labels should be interpreted when communicating with the host
application.
So, for example, if the host application uses only a portion of the physical cartridge
label to identify volumes, you can tell the library to construct a logical label using a
subset of the characters. Alternatively, if the physical cartridge label is simply a string
of characters that does not identify the media domain (LTO) and generation, you can
tell the library to skip domain and type checking and send all characters to the host
without any further processing (you should not use this option, if your labels include a
domain and type).
Managing Unidentifiable, Unsupported, or Missing Labels
If the physical label on a cartridge is missing, misapplied, damaged, or incorrectly
formatted, the cartridge can be loaded and stored in the library. Since the library
software cannot identify the cartridge, it marks the Tape Label field of the
corresponding tape properties sheet [UNREADABLE].
Determine the Required Number of Reserved System Slots
You can reserve up to a maximum of three slots. Based on your cleaning strategy and
your diagnostic needs, decide how many system reserved slots to configure:
Diagnostic Cartridge — may require 1 reserved slot.
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If you are planning to use a diagnostic cartridge, Oracle recommends that you
configure one reserved system slot to hold it. This insures that it is always
available when needed. But if storage space is at a premium, you can also import
the diagnostic cartridge from the mailslot as needed.
Cleaning Cartridge — may require 2 reserved slots.
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If using library auto cleaning or manual cleaning: configure at least one,
preferably two reserved slots. Two cleaning cartridges in reserved slots minimizes
downtime by insuring a usable cleaning cartridge is always available, so drives do
not sit idle while awaiting cleaning.
If using host-managed cleaning: do not configure system reserved slots for
cleaning cartridges. Host applications cannot access system reserved slots.
Cleaning cartridges must reside in storage slots controlled by the host application.
Determine the Required Number of Reserved System Slots
Importing and Exporting Cartridges 6-5
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