Sun Microsystems SL500 manual Partition Planning

System Requirements for Library Partitioning

System Requirements for Library

Partitioning

Note – Starting with SL500 firmware version 1300 and SL Console version FRS_4.00, library partitioning upgrades must be installed through the SL500 licensing utility. Partitioning established on a library prior to version 1300 is retained permanently. See Chapter 4, “Licensing” for details.

Note – ACSLS does not support partitioning on the SL500 library.

Enabling and Disabling Partitioning

In order for you to use partitions in a library, the partitioning feature must be enabled by your StorageTek CSE. Contact your StorageTek CSE for assistance.

A library with partitioning enabled can be in either of the following states:

■Partitioned—The library has at least one user-defined partition with a valid partition ID.

■Non-partitioned—The library has no user-defined partitions. A non-partitioned library behaves in the same manner as a library that does not have partitioning enabled; that is all storage cells, drives, and CAPs are accessible to all hosts.

To disable partitioning on a library, you must first delete all partitions. The library state will then change to “non-partitioned.”

Partition Planning

The partitioning feature offers great flexibility in the use of your library. It also requires careful planning, a thorough knowledge of library wall and storage cell mapping, and expertise in configuring and administering host software applications. There must be clear communication among all parties involved, including system programmers and administrators, library operators, and your Sun service representative.

Before creating partitions, you must plan the storage area that is needed for resident tape cartridges and anticipate the number of required free cells. You must understand the boundaries of each partition and the host ownership relationships. You must verify that all tape drives and cartridges have been moved to the proper locations, according to the planned host/storage cell and host/tape drive assignments.

144 SL500 User’s Guide • July 2008 Revision: KA • 96116