IT36901: THE SERVER FAILS TO MOUNT A TAPE VIA EXTERNAL LIBRARIES WITH MESSAGE "FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE EXTERNAL LIBRARY".

8.1.12.200-IBM-SPSRV-WindowsX64
8.1.12.200-IBM-SPSRV-Linuxx86_64
8.1.12.200-IBM-SPSRV-Linuxs390x
8.1.12.200-IBM-SPSRV-Linuxppc64le
8.1.12.200-IBM-SPSRV-AIX
IBM Spectrum Protect Server V8.1 Fix Pack 13 (V8.1.13) Downloads

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• The IBM Spectrum Protect server uses a  5 minutes
  for timeout in pool() function to pool for replies from the
  external libraries for MOUNT requests.
  
  External libraries are libraries using an external media manager
  like TSLM  (IBM Tape System Library Manager ), or EDT (Gresham
  EDT Enterprise DistribuTape) .
  
  This timeout value is too short if the library is in a heavy
  workload condition.
  
  In this case, this short timeout value can cause the server
  does  not to  wait for the reply from the external library and
  fails the mount operation.
  
  
  
  IBM Spectrum Protect Versions affected:
  IBM Spectrum Protect Server version 8.1.11 and higher on all
  supported platforms
  | MDVREGR 8.1.10.0-TIV_5698MSV |
  
  
  
  Initial Impact: low
  
  
  Additional Keywords:
  TS005433865, TSM, external library, mount, ANR1893 and ANR8393E.
  

Local fix

• Ensure there is an empty tape drive available for mount in the
  external library.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * All IBM Spectrum Protect server users of external library    *
  * type.                                                        *
  *                                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * See error description.                                       *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Apply fixing level when available. This problem is currently *
  * projected to be fixed in levels 8.1.12.200 and 8.1.13.       *
  * Note that this is subject to change at the discretion of     *
  * IBM.                                                         *
  *                                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• This problem was fixed.
  Affected platforms for reported release:  AIX and Linux.
  Platforms fixed:  AIX and Linux.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TSM SERVER

• Fixed component ID

  5698ISMSV

Applicable component levels