StorageTek Host Software Component 6 User Manual

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Chapter 3. HSC Control Statements and HSC Start Procedure   143
1st ed., 6/30/04 - 312579601
 
Volume Attribute (VOLATTR) Control Statement 
The VOLATTR control statement is used to specify tape volume attributes. VOLATTR 
statements are read from the definition data set specified by the VOLDEF command. 
(Refer to “Volume Attribute Definition (VOLDEF) Command and Control Statement” on 
page 154 f
or details on syntax and parameters.) The VOLATTR statement must be placed 
in the definition data set; it cannot be issued as an operator command. 
Notes:  
 1. You must enter a VOLATTR statement for each media type so that the HSC can 
correctly determine scratch counts and preferencing for scratch allocation. It is 
important that all VOLATTR control statements be accurate if you rely on 
precise scratch counts.
  
 2. A VOLATTR must exist for ECARTs that do not have a media label so that the HSC 
can distinguish ECARTs from standard cartridges. 
VOLATTR Usage 
When the HSC needs to determine the attributes for a volume, it searches the VOLATTR 
statements in the order that they appear in the definition data set. The first statement that 
matches the requested volume is used to determine the attributes that are specified on that 
VOLATTR statement. The search continues for any attributes that are not specified on the 
first matching VOLATTR statement. These attributes are supplied by the next matching 
VOLATTR that specifies the attribute(s).
For example, if MEDia is provided but RECtech is not, RECtech takes a default value 
based upon the MEDia parameter. The same situation occurs if a RECtech value is present 
but MEDia is not. Thus, StorageTek recommends that users:  
• order the VOLATTR statements from most specific to most general 
• specify only MEDia on all VOLATTR statements and let RECtech default, or  
specify both MEDia and RECtech on all VOLATTR statements. 
The HSC always selects a RECtech compatible with the volume’s media type; it is not 
necessary to specify RECtech on VOLATTR statements unless a specific RECtech is 
desired. 
If RECtech is specified for any default VOLATTRs, however, it should be specified for all 
VOLATTRs to avoid obtaining MEDia from one VOLATTR and RECtech from another.  
Note:  Run the Volume Report utility using the NONMEDEQ option to verify that 
your VOLATTRs are in agreement with the CDS volume attribute record (VAR). The 
VAR reflects volume information from the LMU and can be compared to the 
VOLATTRs. 
StorageTek recommends that the volume attribute statements in effect be the same on all 
processors; if not, results are unpredictable.  
VOLATTR