Minilibrary Storage Architecture; Flexibility - Compaq SW TL881 DLT Mini-Lib/1 Reference Manual

1-2 Compaq StorageWorks TL881/TL891 Family MiniLibrary System Reference Guide

MiniLibrary Storage Architecture

Flexibility

In a MiniLibrary system, you can combine modules to provide the right
combination of capacity and performance to meet your present storage
requirements. The Compaq MiniLibrary storage architecture lets you add
modules to optimize throughput and capacity as your needs change.
NOTE: There is a specific Low Voltage Differential (LVD) version of the Expansion Unit for
the TL891DLX. Also, the Data Unit can be used in conjunction with all MiniLibrary
systems (TL881, TL891, TL891DLX, and TL891DX) because there is no SCSI bus
connection to the unit.
When connected as a system, the robotics in the Expansion Unit act as
commanded by the host computer(s). The host(s) need no knowledge of the
internal geometry of the system, or of the actions or capabilities of the
MiniLibrary Base Modules or Data Units.
The Expansion Unit presents to the host(s) a single SCSI medium changer
device with a single SCSI medium transport element, several SCSI storage
elements equal to the total number of cartridge magazine slots, a number of
SCSI import/export elements as specified by the user during configuration of
the Expansion Unit, and a number of SCSI data transfer elements equal to the
total number of drives in the system.
The Compaq MiniLibrary storage architecture is uniquely suited to growing
storage needs. Its flexible library robotics system lets you start with a system
configured to your present requirements, confident that as your storage needs
evolve, you can easily modify the MiniLibrary by adding modules and
extending the PTM. Add drives for faster performance or magazine space for
greater capacity, as needed. Then just turn on the power and the system
immediately updates the system map so the host is informed of the expanded
capability.