HP AH558A HP StorageWorks 1/8 G2 Tape Autoloader Addendum (AK377-96004, June 2 - Page 7

Autoloader modes The Autoloader supports three behavior modes: Random, Sequential, and Automatic. Choose the operating mode based on the capabilities of the software controlling the tape cartridges. Random mode: In Random mode, the device does not automatically load tapes into the tape drives; it waits for commands from the software or operator to load and unload tapes. Random mode is used with a full-featured or robotics-aware backup application and is the most common mode of operation. Your backup software must support robotics, which may require an additional software module. Sequential mode: In Sequential mode, the device automatically loads and unloads tapes from the tape drive. Sequential mode is used when the backup software is NOT robotics aware or was designed for standalone drives only. The operator begins the sequence by loading the desired tape into the tape drive. When a tape is unloaded for any reason, the device automatically removes the tape from the tape drive, returns it to its original slot, and then loads the tape from the next available higher numbered slot. To further determine how you want the tapes loaded into the tape drive while in Sequential mode, you can set the Loop and Autoload options. • When Autoload mode is set, the device automatically loads the cartridge from the lowest-numbered full slot into the tape drive. It then follows standard sequential operation. • When Loop mode is set, the original first cartridge in the sequence is reloaded after the device has cycled through all available cartridges. If Loop mode is not set and the last cartridge has been unloaded, the device stops loading cartridges until you load another cartridge manually. CAUTION: Use caution when choosing Loop mode because it makes it possible to overwrite data on previously written cartridges. Automatic mode: In Automatic mode, the device switches from Sequential mode into Random mode when it receives certain SCSI commands. Automatic mode is the default setting. Saving and restoring the Autoloader configuration You can save the Autoloader configuration database to a file or USB flash drive. The saved configuration database will make it easier to recover the Autoloader configuration if you need to replace the chassis. This feature is also useful when installing multiple Autoloaders. Either save the configuration before configuring the network or ensure that only one device with the same network configuration is on the network at a time until they have unique network identities. Use the RMI Configuration: Save/Restore tab to save the configuration database to a file or restore it from a file. Use the OCP Support > Save Config menu item to save the configuration database to a USB flash drive. Use the OCP Support > Restore Config menu item to restore the configuration database from a USB flash drive. HP StorageWorks 1/8 G2 Tape Autoloader Addendum 7