Library Functions; Encryption; Library Sharing; Control Path Failover, Data Path Failover, And Load Balancing - IBM TS4300 User Manual

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Library functions

The library provides many specific functions, such as random or sequential operating mode, encryption,
library sharing, path failover, and alerts and logging.

Encryption

All supported tape drives in this library support encryption.
The encryption enabled drive contains the necessary hardware and firmware to encrypt and decrypt host
tape application data. Encryption policy and encryption keys are provided by the host application or host
server. A drive digital certificate is installed at manufacturing time. Each drive receives a unique serial
number and certificate. The T10 application might validate each drive instance by checking the drive's
digital certificate.
The library provides these options.
1. Encryption disabled
2. Application Managed Encryption (AME) is the default
3. Library Managed Encryption (LME). LME is a built-in feature that is enabled by using a purchased
license. The LME feature can be ordered from the factory, or you can order it as a field upgrade. To
order a feature, contact your IBM Sales Representative or Business Partner. See Optional Features. For
configuration details, see "Configuring Library Managed Encryption" on page 88.
The default is Application Managed Encryption.
Note: All encryption settings must be configured or reverified in the drive after any library or drive reset. A
new drive might be added or an existing drive might be swapped with another drive.

Library sharing

The library can be configured into one or more logical libraries that can be shared by multiple
applications.
It is advantageous to be able to share a single physical library between heterogeneous or homogeneous
applications. However, some applications (and some servers) do not allow for sharing a library between
systems.
The library Management GUI provides two methods for logical library configuration.
1. A quick configuration for a simple one logical library configuration Manage Logical Library (Basic
Mode)
2. An advanced configuration action for a multiple logical library configuration Manage Logical Library
(Expert Mode)
Note: When any number of drives are loaded, a warning message appears when the Manage Logical
Library (Expert Mode) wizard is accessed.
The second method gives the ability to create configurations that enable the library to process commands
from multiple heterogeneous applications (such as an IBM System p application and a Windows
application) and multiple homogeneous applications (for example, the same application run by several
System p servers). See "Advanced library configuration" on page 71.

Control path failover, Data path failover, and load balancing

The path failover feature ensures the use of a redundant communication path when the primary path fails.
Command failures and time outs are costly. You want your library to run smoothly and efficiently. Path
failover capabilities allow the IBM
path can include another host bus adapter (HBA), Storage Area Network (SAN), or library control path
drive. The device driver initiates error recovery and continues the operation on the alternate path without
interrupting the application.
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device driver to resend a command to an alternate path. The alternate
Chapter 1. Overview 23