Labeling Tape Library Media

The Labeling Tape Library Media function labels media volumes contained within a tape library. This provides an easy way to label multiple media volumes automatically. Use this function to tell how you want the media labeled.

Note. Relabeling an already used tape will make the data recorded on the tape inaccessible for future use.

Before labeling tape library media:

If the media volume is in a media pool, you should delete it from the pool. See “Deleting a Media Volume”.

To label a media volume:

1. Select the Write Label Volume function by doing one of the following:

   • From the menu bar, select Function > Write Label.

   • On the task panel, click Write Label.

2. Do one of the following to execute the operation.

   Tip. You can select multiple tape library slots, drives, and import/export ports. Select any of the resources in the tape library by clicking it. To select a range of resources SHIFT-click the last resource in the range. To select additional resources without unselecting those already selected, CTRL-click each subsequent resource to be selected.

   • Select the tape library slot containing the media volume to be labeled and drag the media volume onto an empty drive (device).

   • Select the tape library slot containing the media volume whose label you want to write and select an empty drive (device).

     Once you’ve selected the media volume, click GO.

     The Write Tape Label dialog box appears.

3. Complete the active fields in the Write Tape Label dialog:

   • Media Pool to Use

     Works in conjunction with the Media_Label field. Depending on the labeling method you select, this field identifies either the media pool to which the newly labeled media volumes are added or the media pool from which labels are used. Select a media pool from the pull-down list.

   • Media Label

     From the pull-down list, select the method used to specify the VOLSER. The following selections are available:

     Use Barcode	DPX uses the barcode on the media volume. This entry appears only if your tape library has barcode capabilities, the SSJUKER barcode option was set, and the tape has a barcode that was read by the barcode reader. This is the recommended option. This selection activates the Maximum_Pass, the Capacity, and the Long_Barcode_Handling fields. Media volumes are easier to manage if the barcode, the volser on the volume label, and the volser in the media pool all match. When performing backups and restores, verifies the volser on the volume label against the volser in the media pool.
     Use Free Volsers	DPX selects available (unassigned) volsers from the selected media pool.
     Specify Starting VOLSER	DPX sequentially labels multiple media volumes at the same time. This selection activates the Starting VOLSER, the Maximum_Pass, and the Capacity fields. For Starting VOLSER, enter up to six alphanumeric characters, no spaces. If you are labeling multiple tapes, DPX increments the number by one for each tape. It is best to use a volser that is not yet defined. If you use a defined volser, its status must be new.

   • Starting VOLSER

     This field is activated only if Specify Starting VOLSER was selected as your Media_Label type.

     Enter a volser (up to six alphanumeric characters, no spaces) that you want to use as a media volume label. If you are labeling multiple tapes, DPX increments the number by one for each tape. It is best to use a volser that is not yet defined. If you use a defined volser, its status must be new.

   • Maximum Pass

     This field is activated only if Use Barcode or Specify Starting VOLSER was selected as your Media_Label type. Maximum_Pass is the number of times to which a media volume should be written, including second passes.

     Enter a number recommended by the manufacturer (for example, 500). After the specified number of passes, DPX no longer requests the media volume for backups and will not accept it if it is mounted for backup. It is still available for restores. This option is not always enforced.

   • Capacity

     This field is activated only if Use Barcode or Specify Starting VOLSER was selected as your Media_Label type. Capacity is the native storage capacity of the media volume(s). Enter a number, then select a unit of measure from the pull-down menu: megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). DPX uses this field to estimate free space on a media volume, but this field does not affect the amount of data DPX can actually store on the media volume.

   • Long Barcode Handling

     This field is activated only if Use Barcode was selected as your Media_Label type. Because DPX uses only up to six characters in the volume serial number (volser), the pull-down list allows you to select which six characters to use for the volser if your barcode is longer than six characters. The selection choices are Use Rightmost six barcode or Use Leftmost six barcode.

4. Click OK. DPX acquires the drive and loads the media volume.

   DPX checks if the media volume has a label. If the media volume is unlabeled, DPX labels it. If the media volume you select already has a label, DPX displays this label and does not relabel the media volume. However, you can relabel a labeled media volume by enabling the Ignore VOLSER option.

After the media volume is labeled, DPX returns the volume to its original slot. If media volume was a new (unlabeled) volume, DPX changes its Media_Status from New to Empty in the left pane.

Note. For AML, IBMATL, and ACSLS tape libraries, the Label function is inactive.