Object access method support for tape libraries

OAM uses system-managed storage concepts within the SMS component of DFSMS to provide the management facilities for the physical movement and tracking of the tape volumes used within tape libraries.

There are three components of OAM:

Object Storage and Retrieval (OSR)
OAM Storage Management Component (OSMC)
Library Control System (LCS)

This manual covers the use of the LCS component of OAM in support of tape libraries. For information on the roles of OSR, OSMC, and LCS in support of object data, see z/OS DFSMS OAM Planning, Installation, and Storage Administration Guide for Object Support.

OAM provides the following services in support of tape libraries:

Cartridge entry, eject, audit, mount, and demount processing
Operator command processing
Tape configuration database (TCDB) management
A set of tape library related services which may be used by the installation (see Library control system (LCS) external services)
Installation exits that influence tape processing at four critical points:
- Entering a cartridge into a tape library, or importing logical volumes into a virtual tape system (VTS)—CBRUXENT
- Ejecting a cartridge from a tape library, or exporting logical volumes from a VTS—CBRUXEJC
- Changing the use attribute of a tape cartridge—CBRUXCUA
- Allowing the installation to enter a nonlibrary-resident cartridge into a tape library during allocation processing—CBRUXVNL
See Installation exits for more information on these installation exits.
Unsolicited attention message processing.
CBROAMxx PARMLIB support (SETTLIB) for tuning cartridge entry-related messages

Recommendation: Only a subset of the functions above actually execute within the OAM address space (entry, eject, audit, and unsolicited attention message processing). Cartridge mount and demount activity (job processing) does not require the OAM address space. However, since job processing often results in volumes being entered and error and status messages being displayed, run the installation with the OAM address space active whenever possible.