Managing a full library with an overflow location

As the demand for storage grows, the number of volumes that you need for a storage pool might exceed the physical capacity of an automated library. To make space available for new volumes and to monitor existing volumes, you can define an overflow location for a storage pool.

About this task

The server tracks the volumes that are moved to the overflow area and makes storage slots available for new volumes.

Procedure

  1. Create a volume overflow location. Define or update the storage pool that is associated with the automated library by issuing the DEFINE STGPOOL or UPDATE STGPOOL command and specifying the OVFLOCATION parameter.
    For example, to create an overflow location that is named ROOM2948 for a storage pool that is named ARCHIVEPOOL, issue the following command:
    update stgpool archivepool ovflocation=Room2948
  2. When you need to create space in the library for scratch volumes, move full volumes to the overflow location by issuing the MOVE MEDIA command.
    For example, to move all full volumes in the specified storage pool out of the library, issue the following command:
    move media * stgpool=archivepool
  3. Check in scratch volumes as needed.
    Restriction: If a volume has an entry in the volume history file, you cannot check it in as a scratch volume. For more information, see Checking volumes into an automated library.
  4. Identify the empty scratch tapes in the overflow location by issuing the QUERY MEDIA command.
    For example, issue the following command:
    query media * stg=* whereovflocation=Room2948 wherestatus=empty
    
  5. If the server requests additional volumes, locate and check in volumes from the overflow location.

    To find volumes in an overflow location, issue the QUERY MEDIA command. You can also use the QUERY MEDIA command to generate commands by checking in volumes.

    For example, to list the volumes in the overflow location, and at the same time generate the commands to check those volumes into the library, issue a command that is similar to the following example:
    query media format=cmd stgpool=archivepool whereovflocation=Room2948
    cmd="checkin libvol autolib &vol status=private"
    cmdfilename="\storage\move\media\checkin.vols"
    
    Tips:
    • Mount requests from the server include the location of the volumes.
    • To specify the number of days that must elapse before the volumes are eligible for processing, issue the UPDATE STGPOOL command and specify the REUSEDELAY parameter.
    • The file that contains the generated commands can be run by using the IBM Spectrum Protect MACRO command.