Media Validation Type
There are three validation types: Basic, Standard, and Complete.
Type
Description
Approx. Duration
Basic
Loads the tape, reads the Cartridge Memory
(CM), unloads, and returns the tape to its prior
slot. If the CM is okay then the tape will load
without errors and will not report any tape
alerts.
2 minutes
Standard
Loads the tape, reads the Cartridge Memory
(CM), reads up to the first two wraps, unloads,
and returns the tape to its prior slot.
<30 minutes
Complete
Loads the tape, reads the Cartridge Memory
(CM), reads every block on the tape, unloads,
and returns the tape to its prior slot.
Several hours, depending
on the amount of data
on the tape. A full LTO
7/8 tape takes about 6-8
hours.
Effects of a Library Restart on Media Validation
Manual intervention is required if the library restarts during an in-progress media
validation.
If the library restarts while a media validation is in progress, the validation will stop.
When the library comes back up, the tape will remain loaded in the drive, but
media validation will not automatically resume. You must manually cancel the media
validation and then start a new validation. Media validations cannot be resumed from
where they last left off.
Media validation that was halted due to a system (drive or library) restart, will show
a status of “Failed to complete” and the Last Validation Time will show “System
restarted”. The tape will still appear to be in its source location to SCSI hosts and
will be automatically moved back if the host requests the tape to be moved.
Why Aren't the Media Validation Drives Showing in STA?
If the SL150's Drive Element Addressing mode is set incorrectly, the media validation
drives will not appear in the STA application.
You must set the SL150 to Address All Drive Slots mode if using STA and media
validation. If the mode is Address Only Installed Drives, the media validation drives will
not show within STA.
See
to change the Drive Element Addressing mode.
Chapter 6
Media Validation
6-21
