Freecom VALUELOADER DLT, User Manual

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ValueLoader Administration
Configuring the ValueLoader
42 ValueLoader DLT VS80/DLT VS160 Tape Autoloader User Manual
ValueLoader
Operating Modes
3
Overview
The operating mode is set based on whether you have automation
software controlling cartridges in the ValueLoader or if you are
manually loading and unloading cartridges using the ValueLoader
Operator’s Panel commands. The ValueLoader always operates in
Autodetect mode, which is transparent to you. In Autodetect
mode, the ValueLoader automatically assumes that you
are no
t
using an automation software package to control cartridge or drive
activity. This is called Stacker or Sequential mode. If the
ValueLoader detects that an automation software package is
controlling tape/drive activity, it will automatically switch to
Random mode.
Random Mode
3
This is the normal mode of operation when a backup software
application is being used. In Random mode, the ValueLoader does
not automatically load tapes into the tape drive; it instead waits for
commands from the software. To use Random mode, you do not
need to configure anything from the ValueLoader front panel, but
you must use a SCSI host adapter that has multi-LUN capability
enabled, and your backup software package must support
ValueLoaders, which often requires the additional installation of
an autoloader/library software module.
Sequential Mode
3
Sequential Mode is useful when an adequate software application
is not available. In Sequential Mode, the ValueLoader will
automatically load and unload tapes from the drive. The operator
determines the first tape to load by loading the desired tape into
the tape drive using the ValueLoader’s front panel controls. See
Loading Cartridges on page 30 for instructions. When the first tape
is full or unloaded for any other reason, the ValueLoader
automatically removes the tape from the drive, puts it in its
original slot, then loads the cartridge in the next available higher
numbered slot, continuing this sequence with each available
higher numbered slot. To further determine how you want tapes