HP B6960-90078 manual Drive Cleaning, Limitations

Configuring and Using Backup Devices

Drive Cleaning

Drive Cleaning

	There are several methods for cleaning dirty drives:
	• Library built-in cleaning mechanism
		Some tape libraries have a functionality for cleaning drives
		automatically when a drive requests head cleaning. When the library
		detects a dirty drive, it automatically loads a cleaning tape. However,
		Data Protector is not notified of this action. This interrupts any active
		session, causing it to fail.
		This hardware-managed cleaning procedure is not recommended,
		since it is not compatible with Data Protector. Use automatic drive
		cleaning managed by Data Protector instead.
	• Automatic drive cleaning managed by Data Protector
		Data Protector provides automatic cleaning for most devices using
		cleaning tapes. For SCSI-II libraries and magazine devices, you can
		define which slots contain cleaning tapes. A dirty drive sends the
		cleaning request, and Data Protector uses the cleaning tape to clean
		the drive.
		This method prevents failed sessions due to dirty drives, provided
		that suitable media are available for backup. Refer to “Configuring
		Automatic Drive Cleaning” on page 62.
	•	Manual cleaning
		If automatic drive cleaning is not configured, you need to clean the
		dirty drive manually. If Data Protector detects a dirty drive, a
		cleaning request appears in the session monitor window. You then
		have to manually insert a cleaning tape into the drive.
	A special tape-cleaning cartridge with slightly abrasive tape is used to
	clean the head. Once loaded, the drive recognizes this special tape
	cartridge and starts cleaning the head.
Limitations	•	Data Protector does not support the diagnostic vendor-unique SCSI
		command for performing drive cleaning with cleaning tapes stored in
		one of the special cleaning tape storage slots. These special cleaning

tape storage slots are not accessible using the normal SCSI commands, and therefore cannot be used with the automatic drive cleaning managed by Data Protector. Configure the standard slot(s)

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