Bulk loading cartridges into non-HD storage slots

Follow this procedure to bulk load (manually insert) cartridges directly into non-HD storage slots of the TS3500 tape library.

About this task

Notes:
  • With the Advanced Library Management System (ALMS) enabled, cartridges that are not in a cartridge assignment policy will not be added to any logical library.
  • In order to bulk load cartridges into HD slots, refer to Bulk loading cartridges into HD slots. Only bulk load cartridges into HD slots during initial cartridge insertion.

Procedure

  1. From the library's Activity screen (see Figure 1), press the PAUSE key. The library displays the message If you open the door the library will go Not Ready and any remaining jobs in the work queue may fail. Press ENTER to continue.
    Figure 1. Activity screen on the front panel of the IBM® TS3500. Use the screen to pause the library.
  2. Press ENTER. The message PAUSE in Progress displays. The library parks the cartridge accessor in the base frame and displays the message The library is now paused. Normal operations will resume in 30 seconds.
  3. Within 30 seconds, unlock and open the front door on any frame. If you do not open the door within 30 seconds, the Activity screen redisplays.
  4. Insert the cartridges into any empty storage slots, except for the slots reserved for diagnostic cartridges (that is, F01,C01,R01, or, if you are using mixed drive types, Fxx,C01,R01 where xx equals the first expansion frame for the second type of media).
    Note: Non-HD cartridge storage slots in LTO Ultrium frames are black. Non-HD cartridge storage slots in 3592 frames are gray. Place only Ultrium cartridges in Ultrium slots and place only 3592 cartridges in 3592 slots.
    Exclamation point and caution notice
    CAUTION:
    Only place cartridges in a frame whose front door is open. Do not add or remove cartridges from an adjacent frame.
    The write-protect switch is located on the left side of both Ultrium and 3592 cartridges. Insert Ultrium and 3592 cartridges into the storage slots so that the write-protect switch is on the left and the volume serial (VOLSER) number label is visible (see Figure 2 and Figure 3). The orientation differs from the orientation in an I/O slot.
    Figure 2. Proper orientation of LTO Ultrium tape cartridges in cartridge storage slots
    Figure 3. Proper orientation of 3592 tape cartridges in cartridge storage slots
  5. Gently close and lock the front door.
  6. After approximately 15 seconds, the TS3500 tape library automatically inventories the frame of the door that you opened. During the inventory, the message INITIALIZING displays on the Activity screen. When the inventory is complete, READY displays.
    Note: Do not insert cartridges into an adjacent frame. However, if you do insert cartridges into an adjacent frame, you must perform an inventory of that frame or of the entire library. For instructions, see Performing an inventory of a frame in the library or Performing an inventory of the library.