User's Manual

16 Introducing HP StorageWorks File System Extender
FSE medium
FSE supports different types of tape media and also disk media for data storage. Each FSE medium, either
a medium cartridge or disk medium has an entry and properties written in the Resource Management
Database (RMDB). Each FSE medium is assigned to one FSE media pool. For more information on media
types, see ”FSE media types” on page 87.
An FSE medium is usually formatted and further divided into partitions that hold medium volumes. The
Resource Manager identifies the medium with a barcode. For media specifics regarding their type, see
”FSE media types” on page 87and ”Disk media” on page 87.
FSE library
An FSE library is any supported tape library attached to a host with FSE software, and configured as an
FSE implementation. An FSE implementation can consist of one or more FSE libraries. Each FSE library is a
repository of library slots, where medium cartridges are physically located, with a built-in changer device
to move the media around. It has one or more connected drives.
Each configured FSE library has one Library Agent running. The Library Agent handles actions in the FSE
library, such as loading and unloading media, and library inventory rescan.
FSE drive
An FSE drive is a tape drive inside an FSE library, configured in the FSE implementation. It is used to read
to and write from FSE media.
Supported drive types are:
• LTO Ultrium 1, LTO Ultrium 2, and LTO Ultrium 3
For further information on the supported drive models, see the FSE Release Notes.
FSE implementation options
Due to its modular structure FSE allows several implementation options. It can be set up as a consolidated
implementation or as a distributed implementation of servers and clients, each of those being run on any of
the supported platforms. For limitations regarding platform support in distributed FSE environments, see the
FSE Release Notes.
Additionally, FSE provides support for multiple tape libraries. The number of libraries that can be
connected to one FSE server depends on the number of slots for Fibre Channel and SCSI cards on the
machine hosting the FSE server.