Dell TL2000 manual Library Partitioning and Element Addressing, Partitioning of 2U Libraries

Library Partitioning and Element Addressing

Library 4U systems with firmware versions of .80 and higher, and containing at least 2 drives, have the ability to configure two logical libraries (create two partitions). This partitioning has been expanded with the new library firmware and half-high drive integration. Now it is possible to configure 1, 2, 3 or 4 partitions in the 4U library. Additionally the 2U library can now be configured into one or two partitions. Each library must contain at least one drive per logical library (partition). In a partitioned library, the Operator Control Panel (OCP) only reports the status of logical library 1 in the main menu due to space limitations. The user must navigate to the logical libraries status in the OCP to get the information on the additional library partitions.

Partitioning of 2U Libraries

When two half height drives are installed in a 2U library, the library firmware will support partitioning in the same way that the 4U supports partitioning with two full height drives today. The first partition will contain the first magazine and the first drive. The second partition will contain the second magazine and the second drive. The I/O station (if configured as I/O) will be shared, as is done with the partitioned 4U library.

One full height drive is ″Drive 1″. When using half height drives, the first half height drive position will be called ″Drive 1″, The second half height drive position will be called ″Drive 2.″

Partitioning of 4U Libraries

When one or more half height drives are added to a 4U library, the drive naming will change. Currently, the first full height drive is ″Drive 1″ and the second full height drive is ″Drive 2″. When you consider that each full height drive slot may contain one or two half height drives, there are four potential drives in the space that used to occupy two. As a result, the first half height drive position, or the first full-high drive position, will be called ″Drive 1″. The second half height drive position will be called ″Drive 2″. The third half height drive position, or the second full height drive position, will be called ″Drive 3″. The fourth half height drive position will be called ″Drive 4″.

Mixing of Drives

The library will support a mix of full height and half height drives in the same physical library and the same logical library. They will support a mix of Gen 3 and Gen 4 drives in the same physical library and the same logical library. They will also support a mix of SCSI, SAS, and Fibre Channel in the same physical library and the same logical library; however, mixing drive interface types in the same logical library is not recommended.

Configuration of a 1 Partition System

A one partition system configured for a 4U library contains any and all drives present in any drive positions, and it will contain all four magazines.

Chapter 3. Installation Planning 3-3