Topics | How To | Troubleshoot | Related Topics
When the drive validation is performed from the CommCell Console, the system performs all the operations that are necessary for operations. This includes, operations such as mounting the media, writing on the media, re-winding and seeking data and then reading back from the media.
It is recommended that a drive validation operation is performed after configuring the libraries and drives and before performing a data protection operation. Drive validation can also be used for troubleshooting purposes. Drive validation can also be performed to check the throughput of the device. In addition, you can verify whether different tape block size is supported by the hardware and operating system, by performing a drive validation operation.
On stand-alone drives, you must have a pre-stamped media available in the drive. Make sure that this pre-stamped media is mounted in the drive and displayed in the CommCell Browser before running the drive validation operation. (You can view the media in the drive using the Resource View.)
Drive validation in not supported for libraries attached to a NAS File Server.
See Validate Drives for step-by-step instructions.
Another form of drive validation can be performed from the Library and Drive Configuration window. See Validating Drives in a Library for more details.
Sometimes drives must be replaced, either as a result of extended use or because of hardware failure.
| Procedures for replacing drives are hardware specific; refer to the appropriate manufacturer documentation for replacement instructions. |
When you have successfully replaced a drive, you must reset all the counters that keep track of the number of drive events. This can be done using the Mark Drive Replaced option.
See Mark a Drive as Replaced for step-by-step instructions. For step-by-step instructions on replacing the drive, see Hardware Changes.
Use this option to mark a drive as cleaned when you clean the drive manually using the menu options in the library front panel instead of using the Clean Drive option from the CommCell Console.
For a detailed discussion on drive cleaning, see Drive Cleaning.
If the Mark Library/Drive Broken When Error Thresholds Exceeded option is enabled in the Drive tab of the Library Properties dialog box, the status of the drive is marked as Offline when the number of hardware errors exceeds the preset threshold values established for the drive. The Offline Reason indicates that a threshold was exceeded.
In addition the Broken option in the Status tab of the Drive Properties is displayed as Yes.
In such a situation, it is essential to identify and correct the related problem. Once the problem is addressed, use the Mark Drive Fixed option, to remove the broken status and bring the drive online. In addition using this option also resets the following counters:
See Mark a Drive as Fixed for step-by-step instructions.
Use this option to clean a drive immediately. For a detailed discussion on this option and drive cleaning in general, see Drive Cleaning.
The reset drive option unmounts the media mounted in the drive, thereby making the drive ready for use. The reset drive operation will reset the drive’s status and also try to unmount any media loaded in the drive. However, the reset operation will fail if the drive is reserved or in use.
See Reset a Drive for step-by-step instructions.
Occasionally, hardware errors may cause a media mount failure, making a loaded media inaccessible. When this happens (as indicated in the Event Viewer), the affected media must be removed from the drive using the unload drive option. This option can also be used to unmount a loaded free media, when you need to free up the drive immediately for some other use.
See Unload a Drive for step-by-step instructions.
Drive throughput helps you to calculate and display the drive’s read and write throughput. You can view this information in one of the following ways:
See View the Drive Throughput for step-by-step instructions.