Service and Media Information Messages (SIMs and MIMs)

SIM and MIM functions are primary factors for improved product availability.

  • A SIM alerts you when an abnormal operational condition in the 3592 requires service attention. Information in the SIM identifies the affected drive, the failing component and severity of its fault condition, and the expected operational impact of the pending service action. This information helps the user to initiate and expedite appropriate recovery and service procedures so normal operation is restored with maximum efficiency and minimal disruption.

    A SIM contains the machine type, machine serial number, and Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). This information allows the dispatch of the appropriate service personnel and the replacement parts that are required to correct the machine fault. This procedure helps improve service response time and helps reduce the time that is required for machine repair.

  • A MIM identifies problems with the media (tape) and the volume number of the bad cartridge. This identification allows the customer to do maintenance within the tape library and to prevent unnecessary service calls when the fault is media.

You can select, depending on your software, the severities you want to see. For example, you might want to see only the acute SIM/MIM, or prefer to see all SIMs and MIMs sent to the host. SIM/MIM filtering by severity can be done through configuration options. The four severity codes are listed here:

  • Severity 0 (FID4) code means that the device requires service, but normal drive function is not affected.
  • Severity 1 (FID3) code indicates moderate severity.
  • Severity 2 (FID2) code indicates serious severity.
  • Severity 3 (FID1) code indicates acute severity.
A MIM specifies what is wrong with the cartridge that is indicated. The three MIM severity codes are listed here:
  • Severity 1 indicates moderate severity.
  • Severity 2 indicates serious severity.
  • Severity 3 indicates acute severity.

SIMs and MIMs can be reported multiple times. A configuration option allows reporting the same SIM/MIM more than once. The time between repeat SIMs/MIMs is 8 hours. For example, if the configuration option is set to two, a SIM is reported when an error occurs, it is repeated 8 hours later, and, then again, 8 hours after that message. The default is to not repeat SIMs/MIMs.