Methods for cleaning tape drives
Over time, the read heads on tapes can get dirty, which can cause read and write operations to fail. To prevent these issues, enable tape cleaning. You can enable tape cleaning from the drive or from IBM Storage Protect.
You can choose to use the library-drive cleaning method or the IBM Storage Protect drive-cleaning method, but not both. Some SCSI libraries provide automatic drive cleaning. Select the library-drive cleaning method if it is available. If it is unavailable or causes issues, use IBM Storage Protect to control library drive cleaning.
- Library drive-cleaning method
- The library drive-cleaning method provides several advantages for automated tape libraries that
use this function:
- Reduces the burden on the IBM Storage Protect administrator to physically manage cartridge cleaning.
- Improves cleaning cartridge usage rates. Most tape libraries track the number of times that drives can be cleaned based on hardware indicators. IBM Storage Protect uses a raw count.
- Reduces unnecessary cleaning. Modern tape drives do not have to be cleaned at fixed intervals and can detect and request when cleaning is required.
Manufacturers who provide a library drive-cleaning method recommend its use to prevent premature wear on the read/write heads of the drives. Drives and libraries from different manufacturers differ in how they manage cleaner cartridges and how they report the presence of a cleaner cartridge in a drive. The device driver might not be able to open a drive that contains a cleaner cartridge. Sense codes and error codes that are issued by devices for drive cleaning vary. Library drive cleaning is usually transparent to all applications. However, IBM Storage Protect might not always detect cleaner cartridges in drives and might not be able to determine when cleaning begins.
- IBM Storage Protect drive cleaning method
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Some devices require a small amount of idle time between mount requests to start drive cleaning. However, IBM Storage Protect tries to minimize the idle time for a drive. The result might be to prevent the library drive cleaning from functioning effectively. If this happens, try using IBM Storage Protect to control drive cleaning. Set the frequency to match the cleaning recommendations from the manufacturer.
If IBM Storage Protect controls the drive-cleaning process, disable the library drive-cleaning function to prevent problems. If the library drive-cleaning function is enabled, some devices automatically move any cleaner cartridge that is found in the library to slots in the library that are dedicated to cleaner cartridges. You cannot check a cleaner cartridge into the IBM Storage Protect library inventory until you disable the library drive-cleaning function.
To enable cleaning from the drive, follow the instructions that are provided by the drive manufacturer. To enable cleaning by using IBM Storage Protect, see Configuring the server for drive cleaning in an automated library.