tape alert
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tape alert
contents of this section
TapeAlert
how it works
TapeAlert for OpenView
a new standard
summary
TapeAlert
Tape storage systems have a vital role to play in backing up essential data safely
and securely. Yet until now, there has been no reliable way to identify errors and
potential problems that may compromise their effectiveness or reliability.
Thanks to a new industry standard developed by Hewlett-Packard, however, that
situation has changed. TapeAlert is a tape drive status monitoring and messaging
utility that makes it easy to detect problems which could have an impact on
backup quality. From the use of worn-out tapes to defects in the drive hardware
TapeAlert provides easy-to-understand warnings of errors as they arise, and
suggests a course of action to remedy the problem.
To take advantage of TapeAlert, you need:
●
TapeAlert-compatible tape drives
●
TapeAlert-compatible backup software
Network administrators will also find it extremely valuable to have TapeAlert for
OpenView, which extends the benefits of TapeAlert across the network.
how it works
TapeAlert compatible tape drives - such as the latest DLT VS80 drives from
Hewlett-Packard - are delivered with TapeAlert features built in as standard. The
internal TapeAlert firmware constantly monitors the drive hardware and the media,
checking for errors and potential difficulties. Any problems identified are flagged
on a new SCSI log page, where 64 bytes have been reserved for use by
TapeAlert.
After a backup has been completed, the TapeAlert-compatible backup application
will automatically read the drive's TapeAlert SCSI log page to check for any
problems. If an error is flagged, the backup software displays a clear warning
message on the user's screen, and adds the TapeAlert messages to its logs.
These messages are standard across all applications that support TapeAlert, and
are designed to give clear explanation of the problem and suggested resolution.
For example, a user attempting to backup onto a worn-out tape would encounter
the message:
WARNING: The tape cartridge has reached the end of its useful life:
1. Copy and data you need to another tape
2. Discard the old tape
Errors Monitored
TapeAlert currently checks for errors occurring in the following main categories:
●
Drive recoverable read problems
●
Drive recoverable write problems
●
Drive unrecoverable read problems
●
Drive unrecoverable write problems
●
Drive hardware defects
●
Worn-out media
●
Expired cleaning tapes
●
Wrong media used
●
Abnormal error conditions
TapeAlert for OpenView
TapeAlert for OpenView allows you to bring all TapeAlert-compatible tape drives
on the network under the control of the network administrator. It integrates all the
features and functions of TapeAlert into HP's network management utility,
OpenView for Windows. As a result, tape drives can now be monitored and
controlled remotely in the same way as other network elements such as disk
drives and printers.
With TapeAlert for OpenView installed, error messages flagged by tape drives are
passed to the backup applications in the usual way. The software then forwards
the information to the network management console through the server's SNMP
interface.
An OpenView alarm is then activated on the management console, alerting the
network manager to the tape drives problem. The icon for the relevant server will
change color, with the color indicating the severity of the alarm as follows:
RED
Critical
YELLOW
Warning
BLUE
Information
TapeAlert for OpenView also provides a graphical view of the tape drives on the
selected server. Detailed configuration information is shown, together with a
history of previous errors recorded.
For each alarm, TapeAlert provides a brief description of the error, together with
the date and time of occurrence and an indication of severity. By clicking on the
"More Info" button, it is possible to drill down to details such as the device and
media involved, and suggestions for correcting the problem. For consistency and
convenience, the error messages are identical to those displayed locally by
TapeAlert.
As a result, it is easy for network managers to identify the source of problems
occurring on any TapeAlert-enabled drive on the network.
a new standard
TapeAlert has been developed by Hewlett-Packard as a proposed new
standard tape drive management. All new tape drives from Hewlett-Packard will
be fully compatible with TapeAlert, and many major manufacturers and software
companies are expected to adopt the standard. Software companies adopting
the standard currently include:
●
Computer Associates Software
●
Veritas
●
Legato
●
Novastor
The TapeAlert standard has been designed
to allow easy integration into backup
applications from any software vendor.
Applications which comply fully with the
requirements for TapeAlert will be awarded
the use of the TapeAlert logo.
Designed for the Future
TapeAlert is an advanced technological standard which provides a
comprehensive range of state-of-the-art features and functions. However, it has
also been designed to allow considerable expansion and development in the
future, as new possibilities and opportunities open up.
summary
Reliable, high-quality backups are essential to safeguard the vast amount of data
stored on computer systems today. TapeAlert is an innovative standard that
enhances reliability by monitoring tape drives and associated media during backup
procedures.
Offering clear warnings of problems as they arise, TapeAlert allows users and
network managers to eliminate unnecessary errors and ensure that data integrity
and security is never compromised. Already gaining substantial support across the
industry, TapeAlert is set to become the established standard for tape drive
management.
© 2001, Hewlett-Packard Company
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/topher.COL-SPRINGS/Desktop/dltvs80%20manual/document/dltvs80/user/reseller/eng/tapalert.htm [11/29/2001 8:34:09 AM]
