DSM/Tape Catalog User's Guide

Tape Library Control Path Configuration Guidelines
DSM/Tape Catalog User’s Guide — 520233-008
7 - 11
Using Tapes in a Tape Library
Using Tapes in a Tape Library
There are three types of labeled tape requests:
Regardless of the request type, if the specified tape cartridge resides in the tape
library, the tape cartridge (under most circumstances) is automatically mounted, used,
and returned to its cell when the tape cartridge is dismounted from the tape drive.
Using DEFINE Requests
To use the tape library, application programs request labeled tape volumes (tapes) in
the same manner used to request tape volumes that do not reside in tape libraries; that
is, by using TAPE DEFINEs, specifying the VOLUME attribute in the DEFINE.
To use the DSM/TC software system to catalog tape files, application programs must
use TAPECATALOG DEFINEs.
TMF Tape Requests
When you perform an AUDIT DUMP or RECOVER FILES operation, the TMF catalog
automatically chooses which TMF tape volumes to use. If the tape is in the tape library,
the tape is automatically mounted, used, and returned to its cell in the tape library.
An ONLINE DUMP is the same as an AUDIT DUMP except that you can specify which
scratch TMF t
apes to use by using the TAPEMEDIA option of the DUMP FILES
command. Because TMF does not let a tape drive be specified, $ZSVR selects a free
tape drive in the tape library if the tape volume resides in the tape library. If the tape
volume is not in the tape library, the operator receives a mount message.
Because TMF has no attribute for compression, the MEDIADEFS default is used.
TAPE DEFINE Requests
To automatically use the tape library, you cannot use LABELS OMITTED or BYPASS
options when making a TAPE DEFINE request. If you do, no request is sent to the tape
library and no tape is automatically mounted.
Request Type Page
TMF tape requests
7-11
TAPE DEFINE requests 7-11
TAPECATALOG DEFINE requests 7-12
Note. Because TMF is not able to distinguish which tape volumes physically reside in a tape
library which do not, HP strongly recommends that all TMF tapes be either in or out of the tape
library. Refer to
Scratch Tapes on page 7-2 for methods to avoid mount requests.