HP StoreEver Ultrium Tape Drives - Manual (Page 10)

This is similar to the single drive configuration. The TapeAssure service monitors all the drives on
the server.
• Multiple servers, multiple tape drives
This is a common configuration for larger businesses and often applies to businesses with multiple
sites. In this case the TapeAssure service should still be installed on each of the backup servers,
but Command View TL should be installed on a server best placed for centralized monitoring. This
can be anywhere on the intranet. This is an ideal use for TapeAssure where backups are automated
in many locations and monitored from a central location.
• 1/8 G2 and MSL Libraries with any of the above
This configuration uses the same common Command View TL installation to consolidate all drive
and tape data
• EML and ESL-e libraries with any of the above
Command View TL is the Command View GUI for these libraries. You can install Command View
TL on a management station that best serves the administration of the library and then use that as
the central data collection point for all the other combinations.
• Office and data center combination
This configuration is a mixture of libraries and standalone tape drives all of which can be monitored
using a single installation of Command View TL. Again, location of Command View TL is most
appropriate to system administrators and staff.
Comparing TapeAssure and L&TT
The two tools work together to provide a full monitoring and diagnostic solution, and are fully
compatible and consistent. For example, a support ticket pulled as part of monitoring activity can be
opened and viewed using L&TT, allowing you to see all support ticket information. TapeAssure focuses
on the key pieces of data in a support ticket and is therefore a subset of the complete L&TT functionality.
The two tools are complementary and are focused on different use models:
• TapeAssure is a monitoring solution.
It is part of the configuration and always on. All analysis is passive, based on the rich detail in
each support ticket, which is automatically pulled at the end of each backup. Analysis results reflect
the real life use of the system. There are no active tests carried out in a test environment, so if po-
tentially serious issues are identified, TapeAssure will recommend the use of L&TT to run the Drive
Assessment test.
• L&TT is a standalone application that runs on the backup server.
The tool is usually run after encountering an issue or if you want to check the health of your system.
It offers three main capabilities, as well as other utilities:
• Firmware update
• Support ticket acquisition and analysis – as per TapeAssure
• Active tests – the most important of which is the Drive Assessment test.
Introduction 10