Library sharing

You can optimize the efficiency of your tape solution by configuring library sharing. Library sharing allows multiple IBM Storage Protect servers to use the same tape library and drives on a storage area network (SAN) and to improve backup and recovery performance and tape hardware utilization.

When IBM Storage Protect servers share a library, one server is set up as the library manager and controls library operations such as mount and dismount. The library manager also controls volume ownership and the library inventory. Other servers are set up as library clients and use server-to-server communications to contact the library manager and request resources.

Library clients must be at the same or an earlier version than the library manager server. A library manager cannot support library clients that are at a later version. For more information, see Storage-agent and library-client compatibility with an IBM Storage Protect server.