HP StorageWorks Ultrium Full-Height SCSI Tape Drives User Guide (EH853-90905, August 2007)

11 Diagnostic Tools and
Performance
Diagnostic tools
HP Library & Tape Tools
HP StorageWorks Library & Tape Tools is the recommended diagnostic and support tool for your H P tape
storage product. It is available from a link on the C D shipped with your product or as a free download
from the HP web site. It is supported on nearly all major operating systems.
HP recommends installation of Library & Tape Tools, so that it can be quickly accessed at any time. HP
Support will also request that you use Library & Tape Tools should you need to c ontact them in the
future, so i
t is a good idea to have it installed.
See h
ttp://
www.hp.com/support/tapetool s for compatibility information, updates and the latest version
of the tool.
Troubleshooting with Library & Tape Tools
1. When Library & Tape Tools is first run, it will scan for HP tape drives and libraries on your system
and ask you to select the one to work with. At this time you can see the HBA configu ration of your
server and how your devices are connected.
2. Once you have selected your device you have a number of choices for troubleshooting.
•Deviceidentifica tion: shows part number, serial number and information about any cartridge
loaded.
• Firmware upgrade: allows you to locate and upgra de to the latest firmware. You will need to
be connected to the internet for this.
• Run tests: allows you to run proactive tests on your drive , such as the drive assessment test,
which will verify the functionality of your drive in around 20 m inutes. HP recommends
running this test before calling HP Support. You will need to provide a ‘trusted’ cartridge that
can be written to during this test.
• Generate a suppor t ticket: this is a full dump of the drive lo gs along with interpretation and
isusedbyHPSupporttolearnabouttheconditionofyourdrive. Mostusefulisthedevice
analysis section which is the output from approximately 2 0 rules forming a comprehensive
analysisofthehealthofyourdrive.Theserulesmaygiveadvicesuchascleaningthehead
or trying a different tape if issues are found. The support ticket c an be sent to HP Suppor t
for fur ther analysis.
• Run the performance tests: the tests to measure the write/read performance of your tape
drive and the data generation rates of your disk subsystem are also integrated into Library &
Tape Tools. Use these tests to find the performance bottleneck in your system.
Performance Assessment Tools
NOT
E:
We s
trongly recommend that you check the information on our web site at h
ttp://www.hp.com/support/
pat
. This contains detailed support information that will enable you to identify bottlenecks and take full
advantageoftheperformancecapabilitiesoftheUltriumfamilyoftapedrives.
Ultrium full-height SCSI Tape D rives
59