StorageTek Host Software Component 6 User Manual

1st ed., 6/30/04 - 312579601

The following software requirements apply: 

• LMU 3.0 (or higher) or 9315/9330 1.0 (or higher) µ-software is required for a 

multiple-level communications service. 

• ACF/VTAM 3.2 (or higher) must be available to use the VTAM method of 

communications. 

The tape management interface component provides you with the interface definitions that 
can be used to interface a tape management system with the HSC. 

Various functions are provided by the HSC to assist the tape management system (TMS) 
with device allocation and cartridge mounting to optimize library cartridge handling, and 
to minimize the need for operator intervention. The HSC provides the following assistance 
to the tape management system.

• The HSC returns configuration information which describes the location of all 

drives, the pass-thru connections between LSMs, and other information the TMS 
might use to understand the library’s environment. 

• The HSC returns volume location information including: whether the volume resides 

in an ACS, in which LSM it is located, and the volume’s location in the LSM. This 
information allows the TMS to determine whether the volume should be mounted on 
an automated or a manual drive. 

• The HSC returns a list of drives that are physically accessible to the volume. If a 

scratch volume was specified, ordering is by LSM scratch counts. Drives in the same 
LSM are considered to be closest; those accessed by one pass-thru event, the next 
closest; and so forth. The list is ordered by proximity to the LSM containing the 
volume. This information allows the TMS to match an ACS drive from this list to a 
drive which the TMS determines to be available for mounting the cartridge. 

• The HSC selects a scratch volume when requested, and returns volume information. 

This allows the TMS to validate the volume’s scratch status before it is mounted. The 
HSC also supports specifying, at mount time, that a scratch volume be used. 

• The HSC mounts, dismounts, and ejects volumes at the request of the TMS. The 

HSC returns status and success information about the operation. 

• The TMS may direct the HSC to operate as if no operator were present. In this mode, 

any operation which would require operator action, including responding to a 
message, will be cancelled, and failure returned. The TMS may choose to retry the 
operation. 

Refer to the HSC Interface to Tape Management Systems Manual for more information.