Upgrading tape drive firmware

How to upgrade tape drive firmware for use with IBM Spectrum Archive™.

About this task

The procedure to update tape drive firmware automatically power cycles the drive. For drives that are used with IBM Spectrum Archive, it can be necessary to do prerequisite steps before the drive is powered down and postrequisite steps after power is restored to the drive.
Note: If your IBM Spectrum Archive Library Edition system operates with a non-IBM® tape library, follow the instructions available from the hardware supplier.

Procedure

Complete the following steps to upgrade tape drive firmware:

  1. If the tape library is mounted, you must prepare the library before a tape drive is powered down. See Turning a tape drive on and off while you mount the IBM Spectrum Archive library and complete the appropriate prerequisite step based on your configuration. Then, return here. If the tape library is not mounted, proceed to the next step.
  2. Download the tape library operator guide or see the customer documentation online in the IBM Knowledge Center, or in the IBM Publications Center. For more information, see Publications and related information.
  3. Upgrade the tape drive firmware by following the instructions in the guide.
    The tape drive reboots automatically.
  4. After power is restored to the tape drive, see Turning a tape drive on and off while you mount the IBM Spectrum Archive library and complete the appropriate postrequisite step based on your configuration.
    This action enables IBM Spectrum Archive to recognize the tape drive.