Virtual I/O slots

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

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

The TS4500 tape library has I/O stations with cartridge magazines that can be used to import and export up to 144 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 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 I/O stations 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 I/O station for each ejected cartridge. These mechanisms vary depending on the configuration of your library.