If, due to a hardware error, a cartridge cannot be removed from a MTC device despite an “emergency unload” and RESET attempts, the device should remain attached to the BS2000 system until the cartridge has been removed manually. This prevents the tape request being reassigned to a different MTC device and this other device being reserved for the unavailable cartridge. The defective device may therefore only be detached once the cartridge has been removed from the device and, if it can still be used, the archive system has once more been made available.
The ROBAR-SV instance, that operates the device, must be terminated and restarted to update the status of the devices in the archive system. At the SCSI interface a new archive record is automatically generated when the ROBAR-SV instance is started; at the ABBA interface it must be corrected appropriately.
A ROBAR rule file option permits the deletion of the original request and the detachment of the device reserved for the request. This option can have undesired effects on the requesting job and should therefore be avoided (action key MRV22 in message_resp).
ROBAR frequently reacts to a defective MTC device (hardware error) by issuing the command /CHANGE-TAPE-MOUNT ACTION=*MOVE, i.e. by swapping a device, and by controlled deactivation of defective units. However a device can only be swapped if a further MTC in the archive device is available. For this reason, the robot should administer at least two MTC devices.
Limits of troubleshooting
Errors in the MTC devices or in neighboring hardware and software components that cannot be detected by means of messages directed to the console cannot be detected by ROBAR either. Errors of this type must be corrected directly in the hardware and software components (e.g. MTC devices, BS2000 components) by the operator or within the provisions of the maintenance agreement.
Support of MTC devices by BS2000 outside of the archive system and physical support by the archive systems does not mean that these MTC devices are also supported by ROBAR.
To support a device, ROBAR requires a high level of reliability for the interplay of the hardware, firmware and software components in order to be able to guarantee uninterrupted tape processing in robot operation.
The standard scope of maintenance from the manufacturer therefore covers only those devices which are supported by ROBAR, see the archive system-specific sections “MTC devices and cartridges” in section "Archive systems".