NOTE: If security is enabled and you try to execute a command without entering a password, the autoloader displays the Enter Password screen until you enter a password. Once you enter a password, the autoloader takes you back to the command screen that you were at prior to entering the password.
The Operator's Panel consists of two LEDs, five buttons, and a 2-line by 16-character LCD screen. The Operator's Panel provides everything you need to monitor autoloader status and to control all of its functions.
1
Power switch
2
Front panel LCD screen
3
Front panel LEDs
4
Scroll up button
5
Scroll down button
6
Escape
7
Enter
All the functionality accessed from the scrolling menu can be password-protected. Two levels of security are built into the menu. The lower-level security is the operator level and the higher-level security is the administrator level. There is one password for each level.
The administrator password allows access to all the functionality available. The operator password allows access to all the functionality in the Command and Status submenus.
Enter Passwords
Many functions on the autoloader may be password-protected to ensure data integrity. To access the menu items necessary to execute these functions, you must first enter your password (see "Setting Passwords"). All passwords are six numeric digits long. These passwords are specific to the front panel and are different from Remove Management Unit (RMU) passwords.
When you enter a password, all password-protected functionality is available until you log out (see "Logout"). If you do not use the front panel for a period of time, the main screen reappears on the LCD. When the main screen reappears, the autoloader has automatically logged you out. You will have to re-enter your password again to access the menu functionality.
Logout
To logout of the autoloader, use the following procedure.
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Log Out, and then press Enter. Session Complete appears on the LCD.
NOTE: You can also press Escape to log out. Continue pressing Escape as required until the main screen appears.
Using Cartridges
Typically, when you first install the autoloader, you load your cartridges
into the magazines and then load the magazines into the autoloader. However,
you can insert and eject cartridges individually using the media door (mailslot),
or you can eject a magazine, manually load and unload cartridges, then load
the magazine back into the autoloader. The autoloader automatically detects
the presence of a cartridge in the magazine slot.
NOTE: On the front panel menu, whenever
you see Enter or Eject, it means the tape enters and leaves
the autoloader through the media door (mailslot). Whenever you see Load
or Unload, it means the tape is loaded into or unloaded from the
tape drive.
If you try to perform an illegal operation, the autoloader refuses to perform the operation. For example, if you try to load a cartridge through the media door (mailslot) to the drive but the drive already contains a cartridge, the media door (mailslot) does not unlock and will display an error message. If you try to unload a cartridge from the drive while the autoloader is writing to the tape, the command will not be initiated until the write command is completed.
Insert a Single Cartridge
When you want to load a single cartridge into the autoloader, you can use the media door (mailslot). However, if the Security option is turned on, you have to enter a valid password to unlock the media door (mailslot) before you can load a cartridge. When you insert a cartridge through the media door (mailslot), you can load it into the tape drive or store it in a magazine.
To insert a cartridge in the tape drive:
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Enter-Mailslot, and
then press Enter.
From the Enter-Mailslot submenu, scroll to To Drive,
and then press Enter.
NOTE: After Insert
Tape, Push Until Prompted appears on the LCD, you have 40 seconds
to load a cartridge through the media door (mailslot) before it relocks
and "User Aborted" appears on the operator control panel.
NOTE: For the PowerVault 124T, push
in the cartridge until you meet resistance. The cartridge will be about
2 inches (5.0 cm) inside the media door (mailslot), and only the end
of the cartridge will be visible through the media door (mailslot).
Once you have inserted the cartridge, the prompt Enter
to Continue appears. You have 5 seconds to press Enter in
response or the autoloader will automatically load the cartridge.
NOTE: If the insert cartridge function
fails, the cartridge ejects and you will have to perform steps 3 and 4
again. A "Missed Tape" error message will be displayed on the
operator control panel.
To insert a cartridge in a magazine slot:
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Enter-Mailslot,
and then press Enter.
From the Enter-Mailslot submenu, scroll to To Location, and
then press Enter.
Scroll through the magazine slots and view their status until you find
the appropriate slot. Slots that are occupied by a data cartridge are indicated
by an asterisk (*). A slot assigned for and occupied by a cleaning
cartridge will be indicated by an at sign (@). An empty slot assigned
to a cleaning cartridge will be indicated by an exclamation point (!).
Scroll to the slot where you want to store the cartridge, and then press
Enter.
After Load cartridge appears
on the LCD, you have 40 seconds to load a cartridge through the media door (mailslot) before it relocks. The autoloader automatically loads the cartridge
into the selected slot.
NOTE: If the load cartridge function
fails, the cartridge ejects and you will have to perform steps 3 and
4 again.
Once you have inserted the cartridge, the prompt Enter
to Continue appears. You have 20 seconds to press Enter in
response or the autoloader will automatically load the cartridge.
Moving a Single Cartridge
You can easily move a single cartridge from one location to another inside the autoloader.
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Move, and then press Enter.
The Move screen appears under From:. Scroll to the current location of the cartridge you want to move. Slots that are occupied by a data cartridge are indicated by an asterisk (*).
From To:, scroll to the location to which you want to move the cartridge. Slots that are occupied by a data cartridge are indicated by an asterisk (*). Press Enter.
Press Enter.
If you select an empty location, No
Source Tape appears on the LCD. Choose a different location.
If you select a location that is already occupied, Destination Full appears on the LCD. Choose a different location.
Ejecting a Single Cartridge
When you want to remove a single cartridge from the autoloader, you can specify the cartridge you want by bar code or location, or choose the cartridge currently in the tape drive.
To eject a cartridge by bar code:
NOTE: This function is only allowed if the
bar code reader is enabled.
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Eject, and then press
Enter.
From the Eject submenu, scroll to Tape → Mailslot, and
then press Enter.
Scroll to By Barcode.
A bar code label appears.
Scroll to the label that corresponds to the cartridge you want to eject.
Press Enter.
To eject a cartridge by location:
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Eject, and then press
Enter.
From the Eject submenu, scroll to Tape → Mailslot,
and then press Enter.
Scroll to By Location.
Slots that are occupied by a data cartridge are indicated by an asterisk
(*). A slot assigned for and occupied by a cleaning cartridge will
be indicated by an at sign (@). An empty slot assigned to a cleaning cartridge
will be indicated by an exclamation point (!). Scroll to the slot containing
the cartridge you want to eject.
Press Enter.
The cartridge you want is ejected from the media door (mailslot).
To eject a cartridge from the tape drive:
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Eject, and then press
Enter.
From the Eject submenu, scroll to Tape → Mailslot,
and then press Enter.
Scroll to From Drive, and then press Enter.
The cartridge you want is ejected from the media door (mailslot).
Using Magazines and Magazine Blanks
Inward Side of a Magazine
Outward Side of a Magazine
The autoloader will not run unless both magazine bays are properly occupied with either a magazine or a magazine blank. One way that you can close the openings is to use two magazines. If you use only one magazine, then you must fill the other magazine opening with a magazine blank for the unit to become operational.
NOTE: Magazines are not interchangeable between drive types. Order the appropriate part numbers when replacing these items.
Ejecting a Magazine
When you want to remove several cartridges at once, eject the magazine(s) first.
To eject a magazine:
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Eject, and then press Enter.
On the Eject submenu, scroll to Right Magazine or Left Magazine, and then press Enter.
You will hear a distinctive popping sound as the appropriate magazine is ejected from the autoloader. Left magazine has been ejected or Right magazine has been ejected appears on the LCD.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the autoloader or the magazine, use both hands when removing the magazine from the autoloader, supporting the entire length of the magazine.
Grasp the magazine by the handle with one hand and slide it out, supporting it underneath with the other hand.
NOTE: Once you eject a magazine, you
must fully remove it or fully reinstall it before powering off the autoloader.
Before returning a magazine to the autoloader, manually turn one of the white
thumb wheels located on each end of the magazine. If they move freely,
the cartridges are properly seated. If the wheels do not turn freely,
check the cartridges and remove and replace as needed.
When issuing a Load/Unload command from software, the system automatically ejects the right magazine. To remove the left magazine using the Load/Unload command, you must:
Remove the right magazine.
Replace the right magazine with a magazine blank.
Issue the Load/Unload command again. The system will then eject the left magazine.
If you want to have a magazine in the right bay, replace the magazine blank in the right bay with a cartridge magazine.
Installing a Magazine
To install a magazine into the autoloader, use the following procedure.
Grasp the magazine by the handle with one hand and support it underneath with the other hand.
Slide the magazine into the magazine bay until it clicks.
Make sure that you position the magazine correctly. It should slide into the magazine bay smoothly. If you meet resistance, verify the orientation of the magazine.
The magazine is correctly installed when you feel it click into place and the front of the magazine is flush with the front panel. Left Mag Inserted or Right Mag Inserted appears on the LCD. The autoloader automatically proceeds to run an inventory.
NOTICE: Be careful not to turn the knob on the side of the magazine while the magazine is partially inserted into the autoloader. Doing so may cause damage to the magazine or the autoloader.
Manually Operating the Magazine
There are two white thumbwheels, located on each end of the magazine. You can move the slots within the magazine by turning these two white thumbwheels and aligning a slot with one of the two openings. Do not rotate the magazine by inserting your hand and pushing the cartridge carriers. You can use the openings in the magazine to load and unload cartridges from the eight slots within each magazine.
NOTICE: It is recommended that you fully remove the magazine to load and unload cartridges. If the magazine is not fully removed, do not rotate the magazine.
To load cartridges into a fully ejected magazine:
To load cartridges into the magazine, center a slot within one of the openings located on the side of the magazine.
Properly orient the cartridge; tape upright and bar code label facing outward.
NOTE: There is a keying feature in each slot that only allows you to fully insert the cartridge one way. Make sure there are no labels adhering to the cartridge at any point other than the designated label area.
Fully insert the cartridge into the slot.
When pushing the cartridge into the slot, you will feel a small resistance (detent) until the cartridge is properly latched into the slot. All forward progress stops when the cartridge is fully inserted.
You can remove a cartridge in the same manner as you insert it. Use the white thumbwheels to center the desired slot(s) in the openings on the side of the magazine. Do not rotate the magazine by inserting your hand and pushing the cartridge carriers. Using your thumb and index finger, pull out the cartridge. You will feel a small resistance, but continue to pull the cartridge until it comes free.
To identify a slot:
Each slot has an identification number that is exposed when the slots are in the upper section of the magazine. With the magazine removed from the autoloader, you can see the identification mark on the top side of the magazine through one of two windows on the upper surface of the magazine. Each magazine carrier is labeled 1/9, 2/10, 3/11, and so fourth. Lower numbers 1 - 8 reference slots in the left magazine. Higher numbers 9 - 16 reference slots on the right magazine if the optional right magazine is installed.
Running an Inventory
The autoloader automatically runs an inventory whenever you power it back on or insert a magazine. An inventory checks each magazine slot, the drive, the picker, and the media door (mailslot) to determine if a cartridge is present. If so, it also reads the bar code label, if available. If you need to run an inventory in addition to this, you can do so manually.
NOTE: No bar code labels can be read if there is a tape in the picker.
To perform an inventory manually:
From the main menu, scroll to Commands, and then press Enter.
From the Commands submenu, scroll to Inventory, and then press Enter. The autoloader scans the bar codes of all the cartridges present.
Viewing Status Information
From the scrolling menu on the LCD, you can view the autoloader status, firmware version, element status, tape drive status, tape drive version, and Ethernet information.
Viewing PowerVault 124T Autoloader Status
The autoloader status provides information about: whether a magazine is installed or not, SCSI connection status, Ethernet connection status, and whether the bar code reader is enabled or not.
To view the autoloader status:
From the main menu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
From the Status submenu, scroll to Autoloader, and then press Enter.
From the Autoloader submenu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter. A list of messages similar to the following appears:
SCSI ID
A digit 0 through 7 (default 6).
The assigned SCSI ID for the autoloader.
Magazines
L=*
Asterisk indicates the left magazine is present.
R=*
Asterisk indicates the right magazine is present.
BC Reader
Yes
Bar code reader enabled
No
Bar code reader disabled
Viewing Firmware Version
To view the current firmware version, use the following procedure:
From the main menu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
From the Status submenu, scroll to Autoloader, and then press Enter.
From the Autoloader submenu, scroll to Version, and then press Enter.
A list of messages appears on the LCD. The firmware version is listed as Firmware: VX.XX where X.XX is the current installed version of the firmware.
Firmware
The number indicates the firmware version.
EDC
The number indicates the Error Correction Code that was generated when the firmware was installed. The autoloader uses this number to verify that the firmware and the memory holding the firmware are good.
HW Rev
The number indicates the hardware version.
ME Rev
The number indicates the mechanical version.
Viewing Element Status
The element status reports the status of the magazine slots. The status indicates whether a slot contains a cartridge or not, and which slot is allocated as the cleaning cartridge's slot. To view an element's status:
From the main menu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
From the Status submenu, scroll to Autoloader, and then press
Enter.
From the Autoloader submenu, scroll to Element Status, and
then press Enter.
Scroll to view Drive, Mailslot, and Picker status. Scroll and press Enter when prompted to view Magazine status.
You can scroll through each of the slots. Slots that are occupied by a
data cartridge are indicated by an asterisk (*). If a slot assigned
to a cleaning cartridge is occupied, it is indicated by an at sign (@). If
a slot assigned to a cleaning cartridge is empty, it is indicated with an
exclamation point (!).
Scroll to the slot containing the cartridge for which you want to see the
label, or the cartridge you want to move, and then press Enter.
The Element Status screen appears, displaying the bar code label
for that cartridge.
Viewing Tape Drive Status
To view the tape drive status, use the following procedure.
From the main menu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
From the Status submenu, scroll to Drive, and then press Enter.
From the Drive submenu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
A list of messages appears. These messages may include:
SCSI ID
Indicates the drive's SCSI ID number.
Compression
Indicates whether the tape drive compression is enabled or disabled.
Drive Tape
Indicates whether a tape is present in the drive or not.
NOTE:The LTO-3 tape drive can compress data which may allow it to write more data to the same amount of tape. Compression also increases the performance of the data transfers from or to the SCSI bus. The data compression is drive dependent and cannot be set from the front panel or the Remote Management Unit. Your backup application package may also have information on compression.
The front panel display will indicate whether data compression is Enabled or Disabled. Not all data is compressible and performance is heavily dependent on the type of data being backed up.
Viewing Tape Drive Version
To view the tape drive version, use the following procedure.
From the main menu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
From the Status submenu, scroll to Drive, and then press Enter.
From the Drive submenu, scroll to Version, and then press Enter.
A list of messages appears. These messages may include:
Product Type
Indicates the type of drive installed.
Version
Indicates the firmware version of the drive.
Viewing Ethernet Information
To view the Ethernet information, use the following procedure.
From the main menu, scroll to Status, and then press Enter.
From the Status submenu, scroll to Ethernet, and then press Enter.
A list of messages appears. These messages may include:
MAC address
Indicates the unique network identifier associated with the autoloader.
IP address
Indicates the static IP address or currently assigned dynamic IP address. The text DHCP displays in this case.
Network
Indicates whether the autoloader is connected to the network or not and at what speed.
