ADIC VLS AIT Installation And Operating Manual

Quantum vls ait: user guide
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VLS AIT

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Summary of Contents for ADIC VLS AIT

  • Page 1 Installation Operating Guide VLS AIT...
  • Page 2: Copyright Notice

    Copyright Notice © Copyright ADIC 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999 The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced or translated to another language without the prior written consent of ADIC.
  • Page 3: Copyright Notice (Europe)

    Copyright Notice (Europe) © Copyright ADIC Europe 1995, 1996, 1999 All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of ADIC Europe, ZAC des Basses Auges 1, rue Alfred de Vigny 78112 - Fourqueux, FRANCE.
  • Page 4: Emi/Rfi Compliance

    EMI/RFI Compliance United States – FCC WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
  • Page 5: Declaration Of Conformity

    EN 45014 Advanced Digital Information Corporation 10201 Willows Road Redmond, Washington 98052 U.S.A. VLS Series Library VLS AIT EN 50081-1, EN-55022 Class A EN 50082-1, IEC 801-2, IEC 801-3, IEC 801-4 EN 60950 2/28/97 Date 21-23 Av. Saint-Fiacre...
  • Page 6: Safety Warnings

    Safety Warnings This symbol should alert the user to the presence of "dangerous voltage" inside the product that might cause harm or electric shock. All safety and operating instructions should be read before this product is operated, and should be retained for future reference. This unit has been engineered and manufactured to assure your personal safety.
  • Page 7: Precautions

    Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the product beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. Precautions • Do not use oil, solvents, gasoline, paint thinners or insecticides on the unit. •...
  • Page 8 Blank Page viii...
  • Page 9: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Copyright Notice ... ii Copyright Notice (Europe) ... iii EMI/RFI Compliance ... iv Safety Warnings... vi Precautions... vii Quickstart... xi Chapter 1 Getting Started... 1 Introduction ... 2 Requirements ... 2 Unpacking and Inspecting ... 3 Equipment Description ... 4 The VLS Unit ...
  • Page 10 On-Line Mode... 23 Sequential-Access Mode Configuration ... 23 Diagnostics Menu... 24 Write EEPROM Mode ... 25 Chapter 4 Operation and Maintenance... 27 AIT Media ... 28 Inserting the Data Cassettes into the Magazine ... 29 Inserting the Magazine into the VLS ... 30 Loading the Magazine ...
  • Page 11: Quickstart

    Quickstart T h i s S e c t i o n … ❐ provides a quick start guide for experts who are familiar with installing computer hardware and software.
  • Page 12 ❐ Confirm that poer is off and that you have a SCSI interface (either a separate board as offered by ADIC or integrated on the mother-board) installed in the host computer. Consult your computer manual. ❐ Place the ADIC VLS near the host computer to which it will be connected. ❐...
  • Page 13 ❐ Place the magazine on the carriage by slipping it over the left “magazine position” pin and then rotating toward the right and pressing into place on the right “magazine position” pin. ❐ If the application has not already done so, load the magazine by pressing first the ALT button and then the LOAD button.
  • Page 14 ❐ Install or confirm the backup software (to run the VLS) on the host computer. ❐ Run any diagnostic tests provided with the backup software to make sure the VLS is communicating correctly with the host computer. You are now ready to run the VLS at a system level. Quickstart...
  • Page 15: Chapter 1 Getting Started

    Getting Started T h i s C h a p t e r … ❐ covers what you need (and what you need to know) to install the ADIC Virtual Library System. Read this section before you begin installation. Chapter...
  • Page 16: Introduction

    Introduction ADIC has designed the Virtual Library System (VLS) for high-capacity, near and off-line storage applications, such as backup, hierarchical storage management (HSM) and video/design/data file libraries. For the most part, installation is simply a matter of checking all necessary SCSI connections, installing the software (backup or otherwise) and applying power.
  • Page 17: Unpacking And Inspecting

    Unpacking and Inspecting If the operating environment differs from the storage environment by 15° C (30° F) or more, let the unit acclimate to the surrounding environment for at least 12 hours. ❐ Unpack all items from the carton. Save the packing materials in case you need to move or ship the system in the future.
  • Page 18: Equipment Description

    When operating with two AIT-2 tape drives and assuming an average data compression ratio of 2:1, the VLS AIT can store up to 1.1 Terabytes of information on 11 AIT-2 data cassettes (SDX2-50C). It can reach a sustained maximum data transfer rate of over 720 MB per minute (also assuming 2:1 compression).
  • Page 19: Magazine

    – voiding your warranty). The magazine for the VLS holds eleven AIT cassettes. It includes a clear dust cover to protect the cassettes and for ease of storage. Figure 1 shows an AIT cassette and a filled magazine with the cover in place.
  • Page 20: Media

    Media Four types of AIT data cassettes are available for the VLS AIT: SDX1-25C, SDX1-35C, SDX2-36C, and SDX2-50C. The SDX1-25C and SDX2-36C are 170 meters in length, while the SDX1-35C and SDX2-50C are 230 meters in length and all use Sony’s Advanced-Metal Evaporated (AME) tape.
  • Page 21: Cleaning Cassette

    Figure 3. AIT Cleaning Cassette System Software A variety of backup and data storage software is available for use with the VLS. Please check with ADIC sales or Customer Assistance if you have a question on the compatibility of a particular software package.
  • Page 22: Preparing The Host Computer System

    Preparing the Host Computer System Power Off the Computer Confirm and/or Install the SCSI Host Interface The VLS must be connected to either an integrated SCSI host or a SCSI host adapter installed in the computer – either directly to the I/O connector on the card or as part of an existing SCSI chain.
  • Page 23: Chapter 2 Connecting The Vls

    Connecting the VLS T h i s C h a p t e r … ❐ provides instructions for physically connecting your VLS to your host system. ❐ steps you through the final phase of the installation process. Chapter...
  • Page 24: Connecting The Interface Cables

    Connecting the Interface Cables Make sure the interface cable you are using has the appropriate connectors on each end. If the host computer's SCSI connector is different from that on the VLS, you will need to obtain a different cable than the one supplied with the unit. Consult your dealer or ADIC Customer Assistance if you need help.
  • Page 25: Connecting More Than One Vls

    ❐ Plug the other end of the SCSI interface cable into the external connector on the SCSI port card. Secure firmly. ❐ If this is the only unit you are installing, insert an external terminator plug into the second SCSI connector at the rear of the VLS. If you plan to connect another unit on the same SCSI channel, see the next section.
  • Page 26: Powering On The System

    Each VLS unit contains more than one SCSI device and may require more than one SCSI ID (depending on the mode of use and number of drives). The first chart below shows various configurations and the number of SCSI IDs required. The second chart illustrates how many VLS units you can attach to one SCSI channel (if there are no other devices on the channel).
  • Page 27: Installing The Backup Software

    A display similar to the following will appear on the VLS display: The top line of the LCD is logically divided into a Drive A side (left), and a Drive B side (right). When the VLS is in the On-Line mode, the LCD displays the current status of the drives on the top line.
  • Page 28 Blank Page Connecting the VLS...
  • Page 29: Chapter 3 Equipment Description

    Equipment Description T h i s C h a p t e r … ❐ describes the switches, indicators and connectors on the front and rear of the VLS. ❐ describes the various functions available via the front panel buttons. ❐...
  • Page 30: Front Panel Switches And Indicators

    Once your VLS has been connected to your host computer system and the software has been installed, the VLS is ready for use. Just turn on the power switch, place a magazine on the carriage and press ALT and then LOAD. Note If you need to change certain operating functions, you can use the front panel buttons (as described in the next section).
  • Page 31 In the locked position, you cannot open the door to the VLS or access Lock any functions of the keypad. The two-line 16-character LCD display shows current drive status, and Display displays error messages. Lights when power is on. Power LED (green) Lights when door is locked.
  • Page 32: Rear Panel Switches And Connectors

    Rear Panel Switches and Connectors Switches and connectors on the rear of the VLS are shown in Figure 7. S C S I I/O C o nn ectors F an F ilter R ea r A ccess P anel A C P o w er C o nn ector an d P o w er S w itch Power Turns on the AC power to the VLS.
  • Page 33 Configuration Menu Buzzer Configuration ErrAlarm Kybd SCSI ID Config Drive A Drive B SCSI Parity Parity Check Off-line Time Max time Drive Configuration Drv A Drv B On-line Mode Sequential Mode Cfg First* Last* Loopback* *Available only when VLS is configured as a single-drive unit. Diagnostics Menu Error Counters Yes/No...
  • Page 34: Configuration Menu

    To access the Off-Line menu, press the MENU button. The display will appear as follows: Use the UP or DOWN displayed item. Use the RIGHT line. To exit the Off-Line menu press the MENU button. Configuration Menu The Configuration Menu allows you to select the following operating parameters: •...
  • Page 35: Scsi Id Config

    If you wish to change the status of the keyboard beep, use the RIGHT Kybd field. Use UP or DOWN or "N" to disable the beep. Press ENTER to make the changes effective or press ESC to return to previous menu item. SCSI ID Config Lets you select the SCSI ID for drive A, drive B and the robotics on the VLS.
  • Page 36: Off-Line Time

    Off-Line Time Lets you set the number of minutes the VLS will remain in the Off-Line mode. If someone leaves the VLS in an Off-Line mode, after the pre-set number of minutes the VLS will automatically return On-Line. This assures that your automatic backup will be done even if the VLS has accidentally been left Off-Line.
  • Page 37: On-Line Mode

    You can logically divide cassette usage to satisfy particular data storage needs. For example, you can assign one or more cassettes to specific data functions (such as certain directories or network servers), or you can assign specific cassettes to individual users.
  • Page 38: Diagnostics Menu

    Use LEFT or RIGHT First cassette you wish the VLS to insert into the drive. "L" is the number of the Last cassette you wish the VLS to insert into the drive. The Loopback (LPBK) mode determines what happens when the last cassette has been filled. If you select "Y"...
  • Page 39: Write Eeprom Mode

    We highly recommend that these diagnostic functions be used only by a qualified service technician (or on the instruction of a qualified technician). Some of these functions assume that the unit has been set up correctly and thus many of the normal built-in safety checks are turned off.
  • Page 40 Blank Page Equipment Description...
  • Page 41: Chapter 4 Operation And Maintenance

    Operation and Maintenance T h i s C h a p t e r … ❐ describes normal operation features of the VLS. ❐ provides details on the media and magazine ❐ explains normal maintenance procedures. Chapter...
  • Page 42: Ait Media

    The VLS is a highly sophisticated unit composed of one or two drives along with the electro- mechanical robotics that control the drive(s), magazine media. No modifications have been made to the drive(s). The built-in drive warning LEDs function as the manufacturer has specified.
  • Page 43: Inserting The Data Cassettes Into The Magazine

    Inserting the Data Cassettes into the Magazine The magazine for the VLS AIT holds 11 data cassettes. It includes a clear dust cover to protect the cassettes and for easy storage. See Figure 8. Insert each cassette into a slot of the magazine making sure that the write-protect switch is toward the bottom, facing the closed side of the magazine (as illustrated).
  • Page 44: Inserting The Magazine Into The Vls

    • • • • Inserting the Magazine into the VLS ❐ Remove the magazine cover. You can remove the cover by pressing the middle of both ends (where it is labeled PUSH) and lifting up (see Figure 9). Operation and Maintenance Notes Note Figure 9.
  • Page 45 ❐ Open the VLS door. (The pick arm must be in the "out" position before you try inserting a magazine.) ❐ Holding the magazine by the thumbhole handle, and at a 45° angle to the carriage, slip the magazine onto the left side of the carriage, over the magazine position pin (see Figure 10).
  • Page 46: Loading The Magazine

    The magazine will snap into place. If you don't hear a click, make sure that the slot on the right side of the magazine has slipped around its magazine position pin and is not just sitting on top of it (the magazine will not load correctly in this position). Loading the Magazine Once you have placed the magazine on the carriage, the VLS must initiate a loading process.
  • Page 47: Attempting To Load The Magazine With A Cassette Already In Drive

    Attempting to Load the Magazine with a Cassette Already in Drive Random-Access Mode: If the cassette was loaded manually, it must be unloaded manually – before you attempt to have the VLS load the magazine. Refer to the next section for manual removal of a cassette.
  • Page 48: Removing The Magazine While A Cassette Is In The Drive

    ❐ Press the Magazine Release on the carriage. See Figure 13. The magazine will release from the holding pins. ❐ Grab the thumb handle on the magazine and pull the right side of the magazine toward you. The magazine will come out at a 30-40 degree angle. ❐...
  • Page 49: Loading An Individual Cassette

    ❐ Open the VLS door. Remove the magazine from the carrier. ❐ Press the eject button on the drive (see Figure 12). It may take 30 seconds or more for the drive to eject the cassette. If you wish to remove the magazine but there is a cassette in the drive, do the following: ❐...
  • Page 50: Manually Removing A Cassette Loaded In The Drive

    Manually Removing a Cassette Loaded in the Drive ❐ Press ALT and then UNLOAD. This will place the magazine in the unload position. ❐ Open the VLS door. Remove the magazine from the carrier. ❐ Press the eject button on the drive (see Figure 12). It may take 30 seconds or more for the drive to eject the cassette.
  • Page 51: Removing A Cassette From The Magazine

    Storing the Magazine Store magazines in a dry, cool environment. Always keep the dust cover on the magazine. The removable magazine allows for long-term archiving or off-site safety storage of groups of cassettes. You can duplex multiple VLS units so your system can mirror data backups on each separate unit.
  • Page 52 As a visual reminder, the drive LEDs will display the Media Caution indication during cassette load/unload operations after approximately 30 hours of tape motion since the last cleaning. The left and right LEDs (on the drive) will flash rapidly and the middle LED will flash irregularly.
  • Page 53 ❐ Check the usage record on the label of the cleaning cassette to make sure that there is at least one cleaning cycle remaining. If there are no cleaning cycles remaining, discard the cleaning cassette and use a new one. Figure 15 shows a sample cleaning cassette with the label to write the date of each use.
  • Page 54 Figure 16. Inserting the Cleaning Cassette into the Drive. ❐ When the cleaning is finished the drive will automatically eject the cassette. Remove the cleaning cassette and write the date on the label so you have a record of how many times it has been used and when.
  • Page 55: Cleaning The Enclosure

    Note Cleaning the Enclosure The outside of the enclosure can be cleaned with a damp towel. If you use a liquid all-purpose cleaner, apply it to the towel. Do not directly spray the enclosure. Operation and Maintenance...
  • Page 56 Blank Page Operation and Maintenance...
  • Page 57: Chapter 5 Troubleshooting And Diagnostics

    Troubleshooting and Diagnostics T h i s C h a p t e r … ❐ contains some general suggestions to aid you in solving problems – should you ever run into them. ❐ includes information on error codes and the built-in diagnostics. Chapter...
  • Page 58: Vls Error Messages

    VLS Error Messages If any component of the VLS is not communicating correctly, a warning message will appear on the front display. A list of error messages follows below. If the error you see is not on this list, please call ADIC’s Customer Assistance Center.
  • Page 59 Error Name Description Drive failed to eject The VLS attempted to return a cartridge to a magazine slot, but media the drive had not previously ejected it. Unexpected Gripper The VLS sensed that the Gripper Arm Sensor was blocked when Arm Sensor break it should not have been.
  • Page 60: Drive Warning Signals

    Error Name Flash RAM write failure NV-RAM selection failure NV-RAM write failure Boot ROM checksum failure Unknown error code Drive Warning Signals The Sony AIT drives use front panel LEDs that are set up to provide a pattern of warning signals.
  • Page 61: Led Indicators

    LED Indicators Figure 18 shows the drive’s front panel, Table 1 shows the possible states of the 3 LEDs, Table 2 defines each of the drive’s LED indications, and Figures 19 through 22 are timing diagrams of each of the flashing modes and codes. BUSY TAPE STATUS Figure 18 Drive Front Panel LEDs and Eject Button Location LED State...
  • Page 62 0.25 sec. sec. 0.25 sec. 0.25 sec. Troubleshooting and Diagnostics 0.25 sec. Flashing Mode 1: 0.25 sec ON/0.25 sec OFF Figure 19 Flashing Mode 1 Timing Diagram sec. Flashing Mode 2: 3.5 sec ON/0.5 sec OFF Figure 20 Flashing Mode 2 Timing Diagram 1.25 Flashing Code 1: One Pulse Figure 21 Flashing Code 1 Timing Diagram...
  • Page 63 Table 3 shows the possible LED indications for each drive state/condition: State Activity Cartridge None None SCSI None Drive Loading/ Unloading Drive Loading/ Unloading None Loaded Cleaning Tape None Loaded SCSI Loaded SCSI/Drive Loaded Loaded Other Busy None None None Flashing - Mode 1 Write...
  • Page 64: Environmental Considerations

    Environmental Considerations For best performance of your VLS, please observe the following guidelines: ❐ If you expose cassettes to temperatures outside the operating limits – 40-113°F (5-40°C) – stabilize them by leaving the cassettes in the operating temperature for a minimum of two hours before you use them.
  • Page 65: Return For Repair Rma (Return Merchandise Authorization)

    • Your name and your Company's name • Model number • Serial number of unit (located on the rear face by the power switch) • Software version numbers – device driver – archive/restore • Hardware configuration, including firmware version, date and number. •...
  • Page 66 • If the item is NOT in warranty, you will be charged for the repairs. Therefore, the Customer Assistance personnel will need a P.O. number at the time the RMA number is issued. Until credit information can be obtained by your reseller’s accounting department, the system may be shipped back COD to first-time customers.
  • Page 67: Appendix A Installing The Ferrite Bead

    Installing the Ferrite Bead T h i s A p p e n d i x … ❐ describes how to install a ferrite bead (supplied) on the SCSI cable to assure compliance with EMI/RFI suppression specifications with dual VLS installations.
  • Page 68 If you are using two or more VLS units on the same SCSI channel, you must install a ferrite bead on the interface cable between the units. ❐ Clip the clamp-on bead on the cable at any point between the two units. Refer to Figure Ferrite Bead SCSI...
  • Page 69: Appendix B Diagnostics Menu

    Diagnostics Menu T h i s A p p e n d i x … ❐ describes the built-in diagnostic functions as available via the Diagnostics Menu. Appendix...
  • Page 70: Error Counters

    One of the most valuable features of the VLS is the extensive built-in diagnostics. In this Appendix we discuss each of the Diagnostic functions available through the front panel keypad. ❐ To access the Diagnostics Menu, press the MENU button. The display will read as follows: ❐...
  • Page 71: Event Counters

    nnnnnnnn Counter name. ccccc Counter value (0 - 65535) Event Counters Provides a listing of the various VLS operations and how many times they have occurred. nnnnnnnn Counter name. ccccc Counter value (0 - 65535) Operation Log Provides a chronological logging (beginning with the latest) of up to 255 operations. These operations can be SCSI commands, operator requested operations, errors, and status operations.
  • Page 72: Firmware Revision

    Load magazine Unload magazine Door opened Door closed Position drive d (d = Drive A or B) Position magazine to slot ss (ss = 01- 11) Load from slot ss to drive d Unload from d to slot ss ERROR: Can’t unload, media in drive(s) ERROR: Source location empty ERROR: Unexpected Gripper Arm Sensor brk Retrying operation...
  • Page 73 Provides a record of the unit's unique hardware serial number. This information is vital for trouble shooting problems. Be prepared to provide this information to your reseller's Customer Assistance personnel if you ever need to talk with them. The following chart shows what each character in the sequence means.
  • Page 74 Load Medium The Load Medium function is used to line up the magazine with a particular drive at a particular magazine slot and load that cassette. ❐ Use LEFT or RIGHT or DOWN This option is usually used for diagnostics only by a trained technician. Unload Medium The Unload Medium function is used to line up the magazine with a particular drive at a particular slot so that the cassette will be placed in that slot when ejected.
  • Page 75: Unload Drives

    Unload Drives The Unload Drives function provides a message prompting the operator to manually eject media from the drive(s) and then returns the media to the magazine, or informs the operator that the drive(s) are empty. If the VLS thinks that media is present in the drive(s) it will perform the following steps: 1.
  • Page 76 Blank Page Diagnostics Menu...
  • Page 77: Appendix C Downloading New Firmware

    Appendix Downloading New Firmware T h i s A p p e n d i x … ❐ explains the procedure for upgrading your VLS firmware.
  • Page 78 Another of the special features built into the VLS series of ADIC products is the ability to upgrade firmware and built-in diagnostics at your installation site. The process is simple. As upgrades become available upgrade diskettes will be provided along with all necessary instructions.
  • Page 79 Glossary T h i s A p p e n d i x … ❐ contains terms and definitions of expressions commonly used with the VLS and the Sony SDX-300C. Appendix...
  • Page 80 8 bits of digital data Celsius (Centigrade) A storage medium item. A cassette is sometimes called a tape or cartridge and is capable of storing vast amounts of magnetically-written data. Some cassettes can store more than 50 gigabytes of data.
  • Page 81 The item that holds the tape cassettes for use by the VLS SDX. The SDX magazine holds 11 cassettes. The magazine also provides long- term covered storage of cassettes. megabyte (1 MB = 1,024 Kilobytes) Memory In Cassette is a design innovation developed by Sony.
  • Page 82: Appendix D Glossary

    sequential-access mode Sony SDX-300C drive slot terminator unload Glossary The cassettes in the magazine are inserted into the drive in a sequential manner, i.e. number 1 is first, number 2 is second, etc. When the last cassette is ejected from the drive, the sequence will either stop and the VLS will issue an error message, or loop back to the first cassette.
  • Page 83: Appendix C Specifications

    Specifications T h i s A p p e n d i x … ❐ contains specification information on the VLS and the AIT-1 and AIT-2 tape drives. Appendix...
  • Page 84 Specifications Drive: Data Capacity: Type: Data Transfer Rate: Load Time: Changer: Magazine: Media type: Cassette Change: Indicators/Controls: Interface: Cassette Data Capacity: Capacity: Reliability Maintenance: MSBF: Specifications Up to 100 GB per cassette (AIT-2 tape drive) (compressed mode) Up to 1.1 TB per 11 cassette magazine (compressed mode) Sony model SDX-300C (AIT-1) or SDX-XXXC (AIT-2) (Optional dual drives available)
  • Page 85: Power Consumption

    Environment Electrical: 100-240 VAC Automatic AC line voltage selection Temperature: 10° C to 40° C (Operating) -40° C to 70° C (Storage/Shipping) Humidity: 20% to 80% (Operating) 5% to 95% (Storage/Shipping) Vibration: 0.25g (5-500 Hz) (Operating) 0.5g (5-500 Hz) (Storage/Shipping)
  • Page 86 Blank Page Specifications...
  • Page 87: Index

    Index...
  • Page 88 — A — alarm mode, 20 alarm sound, 20 archiving, 37 — B — backup software, xiv, 2, 13, 16 bail locks, 10 Buzzer Configuration, 19, 20, 21 — C — Cassette Change Time, 70 Cassette Data Capacity, 70 cassette labels, 29, 37 Changer Indicators/Controls, 70 Changer Interface, 70 Changer Maintenance, 70...
  • Page 89 Front Panel Switches and Indicators, 16 — G — Gripper Arm, 58 — H — head, 5 heads, 66 hierarchical storage management, 2 hierarchical storage management, 66 host computer, xii, xiv, 2, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 66, 67 HSM, 2, 66 humidity, 71 —...
  • Page 90 Serial Number, 19, 24, 56, 58 shielded cable, iv, 10 shock, 71 space requirements, 2 specifications, 66 Specifications, 70 storage environment, 3 Storing the Magazine, 37 System Software, 7 — T — tape head, 7 temperature, 50, 71 temperature problems, 50 terminator, xii, 11, 68 —...

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