Mailslots are used to import/export individual cartridges without interrupting library operation. The time-consuming inventory of all the cartridges is consequently not required when a magazine is inserted. Always use the mailslot to import/export cartridges.
Mailslots are always activated in BS2000 operation. Consequently 3 fewer slots are available for storing cartridges in BS2000 operation. BS2000 can use 9 slots in the left-hand magazine and 12 slots in the right-hand one.
As soon as the mailslots are enabled, the three associated slots are no longer visible from BS2000, i.e. the /SHOW-TAPE-STATUS <mn>,INFO=CARTRIDGE
command does not show these slots. These three slots are consequently not available to accommodate cartridges.
The tables below show the numbering of the slots (including the mailslots) when the cartridges or their labels are viewed:
Mailslot 3: cleaning cartridge | Slot 7 | Slot 8 | Slot 9 |
Mailslot 2: I/E port (BS2000) | Slot 4 | Slot 5 | Slot 6 |
Mailslot 1: I/E port (BS2000) | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
Slot 21 | Slot 20 | Slot 19 | Slot 18 |
Slot 17 | Slot 16 | Slot 15 | Slot 14 |
Slot 13 | Slot 12 | Slot 11 | Slot 10 |
The command to open a mailslot may be denied if the robotics is busy with some operation. In that case "Busy" is displayed. The command has to be repeated once the robotics operation is finished..
You move cartridges from a slot or a drive to a mailslot and vice versa via OCP using the menu Commands > Move Media.