HP A3716A User manual

HP
A3716A
Autoloader
Users Guide
Front Cover
(Replace with Color Cover Artwork)

Product Details
Note your autoloader details here so you can find them easily when you need them.
Model name: HP A3716A Autoloader
Model number: HP A3716A
Serial number:
Date purchased/installed:
SCSI ID:
Autoloader option switch value:
Inside Front Cover

© Copyright 1996 by Hewlett-Packard Limited.
The information contained in this document is
subject to change without notice.
This document contains proprietary information
which is protected by copyright. All rights are
reserved. No part of this document may be
photocopied, reproduced or translated to
another language without the prior written
consent of Hewlett-Packard Limited.
Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for errors
contained herein or for incidental or consequen-
tial damages (including lost profits) in
connection with the furnishing, performance, or
use of this material whether based on warranty,
contract, or other legal theory..
March 1997
Part Number: 3716-96001
Printed in the U.K.
Hewlett-Packard and HP are registered
trademarks and TapeAlert is a trademark of
Hewlett-Packard Company.
All other brand or product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies or organizations.
Servicing
Any servicing, adjustment, maintenance or
repair must be performed only by authorized
service-trained personnel.
Warranty
If you have any questions about the warranty for
this product, contact your dealer or your local
Hewlett-Packard sales representative.

i
Introducing the HP A3716A Autoloader
The HP A3716A autoloader combines a DDS-3 format drive with a changer
mechanism which accesses one of six cartridges in a removable magazine.
The DDS-3 (Digital Data Storage) format is the fourth generation of formats
based on DAT (Digital Audio Tape) technology. A single 125m DDS-3 cartridge
stores 24 GB of data using 2:1 data compression.
Note The autoloader is intended for use with five data cartridges and one cleaning
cartridge in the magazine, allowing one cartridge for each days use and the
ability to clean the tape heads when necessary. Use of more than one cartridge
per day is strongly discouraged.
Caution Use only an HP cleaning cartridge (part number 92283K) to clean the tape
heads. Do not use swabs or other means of cleaning the heads.
The HP A3716A can be used with HP 9000 Series 700 and 800 computer systems
and applications. Although optimum performance will be achieved with 125m
DDS-3 cartridges, the autoloader can read and write 120m DDS-2 cartridges in
DDS-2 format, and 60m and 90m DDS-1 cartridges in DDS-1 format. This
ensures backwards compatibility with earlier DDS-format drives and
autoloaders.
Note Use 125m DDS-3 cartridges for optimum performance.
Data Compression
By default, the HP A3716A compresses data before writing it to tape, using the
popular DCLZ algorithm. This achieves a compression ratio of typically 2:1.

ii
How To Use this Manual
This manual is in four parts.
Part 1: Installation Instructions
Part 1 (Chapters 1 and 2) takes you through unpacking the autoloader,
installing and configuring it, and testing that the installation is successful.
Part 2: Use and Care Instructions
Part 2 (Chapters 3 through 8) explains how to use the autoloader and
cartridges:
Part 3: Reference
The appendixes give reference information about the autoloader:
Chapter 3 describes the front panel indicators and controls and tells you how
to load and unload the magazine and cartridges.
Chapter 4 lists all the messages that can appear on the front panel display
and, where appropriate, suggests actions you should take.
Chapter 5 discusses how to plan and implement a backup strategy.
Chapter 6 covers care of the autoloader and cartridges, including cleaning
heads and what cartridges to use.
Chapter 7 takes you through the process of upgrading the autoloaders
firmware from a cartridge.
Chapter 8 gives courses of action to take in the case of any problems with the
drive.
Appendix A is the specification of the autoloader.
Appendix B lists part numbers for ordering cartridges and SCSI accessories.

Contents
Introducing the HP A3716A Autoloader i
How To Use this Manual ii
Part 1: Installation Instructions
1 Unpacking and Preparing for Installation
Unpacking the Autoloader 1-2
Checking Computer Requirements 1-3
Planning the SCSI Bus 1-3
Selecting a Site 1-4
2 Installing Your Autoloader
The Rear Panel of the Autoloader 2-3
Installation on Series 700, 800 and 900 Systems 2-4
Configuring Software on Series 700 and 800 (HSC only) Systems Running
HP-UX 10.01 or Later 2-6
Configuring Software on Series 800 HP-PB (NIO) Systems Running
HP-UX 10.01 or Later 2-9
Configuring Software on Series 800 HP-PB (NIO) Systems Running
HP-UX 9.04 2-14
Configuring Software on Series 900 Systems Running MPE/iX Version 5.5
Power Patch 1 or Later 2-20
Part 2: Use and Care Instructions
3 Using Your Autoloader
Switching on the Autoloader 3-2
Front Panel 3-2
Loading a Magazine and Cartridges 3-5
Ejecting the Magazine and Cartridges 3-7
Forcing Ejection 3-7
Autoloader Modes of Operation 3-8
4 Front Panel Messages
Message Categories 4-2
Messages 4-3

Contents-2
5 Choosing a Backup Strategy
Method 1: One Magazine Per Week 5-2
Method 2: Magazine Rotation 5-3
6 Care of Cartridges and Drive
Head Cleaning 6-2
Cleaning Cartridge Life 6-3
Write-Protecting a Cartridge 6-4
Labeling Cartridges and Magazines 6-4
Temperature and Condensation 6-5
Power-Cycling 6-5
Caring for Cartridges 6-6
Maximizing Tape Life 6-6
Storing Cartridges 6-6
Choosing Cartridges 6-7
Mixing Cartridges in a Magazine 6-8
7 Upgrading Firmware by Cartridge
Upgrade Problems 7-3
8 Troubleshooting
Problems with Your Autoloader 8-2
Common Questions and Answers 8-4
Part 3: Reference
A Product Specifications
Physical Specifications A-2
Performance A-2
Power Requirements A-2
Environmental Specifications A-3
Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility A-4
B Ordering Information
Glossary
Index

Part 1
Installation Instructions
Chapter 1: Unpacking and Preparing for Installation
Chapter 2: Installing the Autoloader

Installation Instructions
Part 1-6

1
Unpacking and Preparing for
Installation
This chapter describes:
nUnpacking the autoloader
nThe equipment and information you need before starting the installation
nAn overview of the installation procedure
Time required: approximately 10 minutes

Unpacking and Preparing for Installation
Unpacking the Autoloader
1-2
Unpacking the Autoloader
Unpack the box containing the autoloader and check that you have the
following items:
*Hewlett-Packard supplies the correct power cable for each country. Your power cable
may differ from the illustration.
If anything is missing or appears damaged, contact your supplier or the delivery
company.
qNote the serial number of the drive and the date on which it was purchased or
delivered on the space provided inside the front cover of this guide.
Autoloader with
SCSI terminator
attached to the
rear
Power cable*
Magazine (in plastic case)
with 5 DDS-3 cartridges
and one cleaning cartridge
User’s Guide
SCSI cable
q
q
q
q
q

Unpacking and Preparing for Installation
Checking Computer Requirements
1-3
Checking Computer Requirements
To install an autoloader to work with your computer system, there are three
requirements you need to check:
nThe computer system
nSCSI capability
nThe software you will use to back up and restore files
These are each covered below.
Computer Requirements
nHP 9000 Series 700, with HP-UX 10.01 or later
nHP 9000 Series 800, with HP-UX 9.04 or later
nHP 3000 Series 900, with MPE/iX Power Patch 1 or later
SCSI Capability
The autoloader is connected to your computer system through SCSI-2, which
means the computer system must have either a SCSI-2 host adapter board or
SCSI-2 capability built into the motherboard. In either case, there will be a SCSI
connector on the rear panel of the computer system.
Backup Software Requirements
Your computer must have a backup application that supports the autoloader so
that you can back up and restore data, such as HP Omniback.
To use the full potential of the autoloader, a backup application must support
the HP A3716A.
Planning the SCSI Bus
The autoloader is connected by a SCSI bus (or cable) to the host computer
through a SCSI host adapter or through a SCSI connector attached to the main
system board. You need to decide where the autoloader is to go on the bus in
relation to any other autoloaders.
To configure the autoloader properly, you will need to identify the SCSI IDs of
other autoloaders on the SCSI bus.

Unpacking and Preparing for Installation
Selecting a Site
1-4
Selecting a Site
You need to find a firm flat surface on which to place the autoloader. The site
should satisfy the following conditions:
nIt should be situated away from doors or windows that open outside, to
avoid sudden changes in temperature.
nThe environment should be reasonably free from dust and excessive
humidity. Do not place the autoloader on the floor, near a door, near a
heavily-travelled walkway, or near a laser printer.
nThere should be at least 150 mm (6 in) of clear space behind the autoloader
to allow for ventilation.
For more details on the conditions under which the autoloader should operate,
see the specifications in Appendix A.
What Next?
If your computer has all the hardware and software it needs to support the
autoloader, you are ready to start installing the autoloader. Go now to
Chapter 2.

2
Installing Your Autoloader
This chapter describes how to install an HP A3716A autoloader.
Time required: approximately 30 minutes

Installing Your Autoloader
Overview
2-2
Overview
The installation process consists of the following steps. They are described
more fully beginning on page 2-4.
1Shut down the operating system on the computer to which the autoloader is
to be connected and power down the computer.
2Check the autoloaders SCSI ID, and reset it if you want to change the default
setting of 3.
3Check the default autoloader option switch setting of 6.
4Connect the SCSI cable.
5If the autoloader is the last device on the SCSI bus, ensure that the SCSI
terminator is attached to one of the SCSI connectors on the rear panel.
Failure to do so could cause intermittent failures.
6Connect the power cord.
When you have finished, you need to check the installation. This is covered in
Chapter 3.
Tools You May Need
You do not need any special tools to install the autoloader. If you need to
change the SCSI ID on the autoloader, you will need a narrow pointed object
such as a ball-point pen or small screwdriver.

Installing Your Autoloader
The Rear Panel of the Autoloader
2-3
The Rear Panel of the Autoloader
Figure 2.1 shows the rear panel of the autoloader with a SCSI terminator fitted
to SCSI connector 2. You only need to remove the terminator if the autoloader
is between two other devices on the bus, or between another device and the
host computer.
Figure 2.1 Rear panel connectors and switches SCSI ID
Autoloader option
switch setting
SCSI connector 1
SCSI connector 2
with terminator
attached
Power on/off switch
Power connector

Installing Your Autoloader
Installation on Series 700, 800 and 900 Systems
2-4
Installation on Series 700, 800 and 900 Systems
1Check and reset the SCSI ID if necessary.
The SCSI ID of the autoloader is set to 3 at the factory.
nLook at the rear panel of the autoloader and check that it is still
set to 3.
nYou only need to change the SCSI ID if you already have a device on the bus
with ID 3.
Note Do not use SCSI ID 7, which is reserved for the SCSI controller.
To change the SCSI ID:
Press the + and −buttons above and below the SCSI ID display on the rear
of the autoloader to increase or decrease the number.
Use a ball-point pen or small screwdriver. Do not use a pencil because
particles of pencil lead might get into the autoloader.
2Check the autoloader option switch value (default is 6).
The autoloader option switch on the rear panel of the autoloader
allows you to configure the autoloader for different computer
systems. The correct settings for different systems are shown in
the following table:
3Check the configuration switch setting.
When the autoloader is powered on, it reads a set of configuration switches that
tells it how to handle data compression, non-Media Recognition System tape
cartridges and other options. These configuration switches are located in a
deep recess on the underside of the autoloader. The default setting is shown in
figure 2.2.
System Setting
Series 700 7
Series 800 (HSC connect) 7
Series 800 (NIO connect) 6
Series 900 6
SCSI ID
Option
Switch

Installing Your Autoloader
Installation on Series 700, 800 and 900 Systems
2-5
Figure 2.2 Configuration switches (shown in default positions)
This default setting is correct for HP systems.
If you want to disable the Media Recognition System (see Choosing
Cartridges on page 6-7), switch 3 should be ON.
Note Shut down the operating system and power off the computer system before
removing or connecting any SCSI cables.
4Connect the SCSI cable:
aAttach the SCSI cable to SCSI connector 1 on the rear of the autoloader.
bSnap both of the retaining clips over the cable connector to secure it firmly
in place.
cConnect the other end of the cable to the SCSI connector on your computer.
5Remove the SCSI terminator if necessary.
You only need to remove the terminator if the autoloader is situated in the
middle of the SCSI bus with some other device at the end. In this case, plug the
SCSI cable going to the next device into SCSI connector 2 on the back of the
autoloader.
6Connect the power cord.
The autoloader will operate using any voltage in the range 100 to
240 volts. No adjustment is needed. To connect your autoloader
to the power supply, proceed as follows:
aEnsure that the power switch on the autoloader is off (set to 0).
bAttach the power cord to the connector on the rear of the autoloader.
cPlug the other end of the cord into a nearby power socket.
Note Make sure you power on the autoloader and other peripherals on the SCSI bus
before you power on the computer system, otherwise the computer system will
not see them.
On On Off On On On On On
On/off switch
3
+
−

Installing Your Autoloader
Configuring Software on Series 700 and 800 (HSC only) Systems Running HP-UX 10.01 or Later
2-6
Configuring Software on Series 700 and 800 (HSC only)
Systems Running HP-UX 10.01 or Later
Configuring Drivers Using SAM
To select the correct driver, proceed as follows.
While in terminal version mode:
1Run SAM.
2Select Kernel Config.
3Select Drivers.
4Scroll to find schgr.
5Check the current state:
nin = OK. The driver is correctly configured.
nout = Modification is needed.
If the current state is out:
1Go to menu bar Actions.
2Select Add Drivers to Kernel. Press [Return].
The Pending State changes to in.
3Scroll to find sctl.
4Check the current state:
nin = OK. The driver is correctly configured, but you need to create a new
kernel. Go to Creating a New Kernel below.
nout = Modification is needed.
If the current state is out:
1Go to menu bar Actions.
2Select Add Drivers to Kernel. Press [Return].
The Pending State changes to in.
3You now need to create a new kernel. Go to Creating a New Kernel below.
Creating a New Kernel
1Go to menu bar Actions.