Using Tape Media Library without BRMS

When using a tape media library (MLB), using a media management application like Backup Recovery and Media Services (BRMS) is recommended. However, it is possible to use tape media library with only the native Operating System commands.

Note: The Tape Media Library cannot be used for a completed system restore like GO RESTORE 21 because some of the objects required for using the tape library are not yet on the system. Therefore, a GO RESTORE 21 must be run from a stand-alone tape unit and not a Tape Media Library.

To use a cartridge in a tape library, the status of the cartridge must be in a usable category. *INSERT or *EJECT are not usable categories. When a volume is first loaded into a tape media library, the category of the cartridge will be *INSERT. The ADDTAPCTG command (or WRKMLBSTS, Option 9, Option 1 ) must be run to change to it to a usable category, before it can be used for any tape operation (DSPTAP , RSTxxx, SAVxxx, CHKTAP), . (For additional information, refer to Using CATEGORIES below.)

When using a DSPTAP, RSTxxx, SAVxxx, or CHKTAP command, the cartridge ID must be specified or a category must be set on the tape media library. If not, message CPF415A is issued.

CARTRIDGE ID

On the DSPTAP, RSTxxx, SAVxxx, CHKTAP, the VOL parameter must be specified. If the save or restore operation will use more than one volume, specify all volumes required on the command.

Using CATEGORIES

All systems have a default list of categories. A user can create additional categories if required (using the CRTTAPCGY command). The default categories are:

*CNV
*EJECT
*INSERT
*IPL
*NL
*NOSHARE
*SHARE400
*SYSGEN

When a volume is first loaded into a tape library, a category must be assigned to the cartridge before it can be used. Once cartridges have a category assigned, a SETTAPCGY OPTION(*MOUNTED) can be run. Then, when any of the DSPTAP, RSTxxx, SAVxxx, CHKTAP commands are used, the VOL parameter can left at *MOUNTED. To determine if a category is mounted on a tape library, run the DSPTAPSTS command.

When a cartridge is ejected or removed from the tape media library and is added back into the tape media library, the cartridge must be added back into a usable category.

To remove the tape category from a tape media library, the SETTAPCGY OPTION(*DEMOUNTED) command must be run.

Note: If you are using BRMS for backups after the native save to the tape library, it is important to issue SETTAPCGY OPTION(*DEMOUNTED). If this is not done, future BRMS save attempts to the media library will halt with CPF415A. You can determine if a category is mounted to a tape resource using the DSPTAPSTS command.

More information on this can be found at the following URLs:

https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4?topic=libraries-tape-library-use-without-media-management-application
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.3?topic=libraries-tape-library-use-without-media-management-application
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.2?topic=libraries-tape-library-use-without-media-management-application
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.1?topic=libraries-tape-library-use-without-media-management-application