Sun Microsystems StorageTek Modular Library System SL500 - Manual (Page 95)

Drive Cleaning
96116 • Revision: KA Chapter 3 SL500 Automated Library Operations 63
Drive Cleaning
The library tape drives require periodic cleaning to prevent read and write errors. The
library supports two methods of drive cleaning:
■
Automatic Cleaning
■
Manual Cleaning
Cleaning Cartridges
Note – You must use cleaning cartridges whose media types are compatible with the
drive types in the library.
Cleaning cartridges have a limited life span. Refer to your tape drive publications to
determine the maximum usage count, or threshold, for each type of cleaning cartridge.
When you enter a cleaning cartridge into the library, the library controller considers the
cartridge to be new and sets the usage count to zero. It is therefore important to enter
only new cleaning cartridges into the library.
Whenever a cleaning cartridge is used to clean a drive, its usage count is incremented.
When a cleaning cartridge’s usage count exceeds its threshold, the cartridge must be
replaced.
You can use the SL Console to display the status of a cleaning cartridge at any time.
The following statuses are possible:
■
OK—The cartridge is still within the threshold.
■
Warning—The cartridge has reached the threshold.
■
Expired—The cartridge has exceeded the threshold.
Ejecting Expired Cleaning Cartridges
You must use care when ejecting expired cleaning cartridges from the library. If you
move an expired cleaning cartridge to a CAP and open the CAP, you must remove the
cartridge. If you close the CAP without removing the cleaning cartridge first, the
HandBot will re-enter the expired cartridge into the library, and the library controller
will reset the usage count to zero.
Automatic Cleaning
When auto clean is enabled, the library controller automatically initiates a cleaning
operation whenever a drive requires cleaning. The HandBot retrieves an appropriate
cleaning cartridge (based on drive type) from the reserved cells, mounts the cartridge
onto the drive, and returns the cartridge to its assigned storage cell after cleaning is
complete.