Virtual I/O slots

Virtual I/O slots enhance the import and export capabilities of the library.

255 virtual I/O slots are always enabled so that the library automatically queues all cartridge moves between the I/O slots and the storage slots. This capability makes the process of adding and removing cartridges easier and faster.

The IBM® Diamondback tape library cartridge service magazine can be used to import and export up to 10 cartridges at any time. The I/O slots are also known as import/export elements (IEEs). Virtual I/O slots increase the quantity of available I/O slots by allowing storage slots to appear to the host as 255 I/O slots. These storage slots are also called virtual import/export elements (VIEEs). With virtual I/O slots, the library automatically moves cartridges from the service magazine to the storage slots. This enhances the import and export performance, while also decoupling physical cartridge movement from the application. As a result, operator efficiency is increased.

With virtual I/O slots, the library has various mechanisms for selecting the best storage slot location for each inserted cartridge, and the best service magazine for each ejected cartridge. These mechanisms vary depending on the configuration of your library.