IC78808: LOGICAL BLOCK PROTECTION SUPPORT

APAR status

• Closed as new function.

Error description

• To add Logical Block Protection support for IBM tape devices
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED: All Tivoli Storage Manager server users.     *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: See ERROR DESCRIPTION.                  *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION: This feature is currently projected to be    *
  *                 in levels 6.2.4 and 6.3.1. Note that this    *
  *                 is subject to change at the discretion of    *
  *                 IBM.                                         *
  ****************************************************************
  To enable logical block protection, specify a value of
  READWRITE or WRITEONLY for the LBPROTECT parameter on the
  DEFINE DEVCLASS or UPDATE DEVCLASS commands for the LTO or
  3592 device types.
  
  LBProtect specifies whether Logical Block Protection is used
  to ensure the integrity of data stored on tape. When LBPROTECT
  is set to READWRITE or to WRITEONLY, the server uses feature
  of the tape drive for logical block protection feature and
  generates CRC protection information for each data block
  written on tape. The server also validates the CRC protection
  information when data is read back from tape. The default is
  NO.
  
  The following values are possible:
  
  READWrite - Specifies that logical block protection is enabled
  in the server and the tape drive for both read and write
  operations. Data is stored with CRC information in each block.
  This mode affects performance because additional processor
  usage is required for Tivoli Storage Manager and the tape
  drive to calculate and compare CRC values. The READWRITE value
  does not affect backup sets and data that is generated by the
  BACKUP DB command. When the LBPROTECT parameter is set to
  READWRITE, you do not have to specify the CRCDATA parameter in
  a storage pool definition because logical block protection
  provides better protection against data corruption.
  
  WRITEOnly - Specifies that logical block protection is enabled
  in the server and the tape drive for write operations only.
  Data is stored containing CRC information in each block. For
  read operations, the server and the tape drive do not validate
  the CRC. This mode affects performance because additional
  processor usage is required for Tivoli Storage Manager to
  generate the CRC and for the tape drive to calculate and
  compare CRC values for write operations. The WRITEONLY value
  does not affect backup sets and data that is generated by the
  BACKUP DB command.
  
  No - Specifies that logical block protection is not enabled in
  the server and the tape drive for read and write operations.
  However, the server enables logical block protection on write
  operations for a filling volume that already has data with
  logical block protection.
  
  Logical block protection is supported only on the following
  types of drives and media:
  o IBM LTO5 and later
  o IBM 3592 Generation 3 drives and later with 3592 Generation
    2 media and later
  
  AFFECTED PLATFORMS:
  
  AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, Linux, and Windows.
  

Problem conclusion

• The described problem has been resolved. When the feature is
  available, see Technote 1568108 for more information including
  the device driver and firmware requirements for logical block
  protection support.
  
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21568108
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TSM SERVER

• Fixed component ID

  5698ISMSV

Applicable component levels

• R53Z PSY

     UP

• R62A PSY

     UP

• R62H PSY

     UP

• R62L PSY

     UP

• R62S PSY

     UP

• R62W PSY

     UP

• R63A PSY

     UP

• R63H PSY

     UP

• R63L PSY

     UP

• R63S PSY

     UP

• R63W PSY

     UP

• R63Z PSY

     UP