IBM TS3500 - Methods of Cleaning Drives

When servicing a TS3500 Tape Library, IBM Service Representatives may connect a service
terminal (laptop computer) to an RS-232 serial port on the TS3500 Tape Library. Serial port
J1 (also known as the CETool Port) provides an interface which allows IBM Service
Representatives to send messages to the library and receive information from the library.
This is a proprietary interface which provides specific commands and only passes the data
associated with those commands.
A program called CETool.exe is used to interface with the library through this port. The
CETool program provides the following capabilities:
• Update library or drive firmware by transferring a library code image or a drive code
image from the service terminal to the library
• Get error and statistics logs and configuration information from the library and drive
• Configure the library settings related to the Call Home facility
• Backup and restore the library non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM)
(configuration data)
• Correct a tape drive serial number that has been corrupted
• Specify whether to report 5 characters or 7 characters of the library serial number in
inquiry data
The CETool Port interface does not provide any capability to access data that has been
written on the tape cartridges within the library. In addition, the CETool Port interface does
not provide any capability to access any Ethernet network connected to the library.
For more information about installing and using the CETool, see the IBM System Storage
TS3500 Tape Library 3584 Maintenance Information manual.
Parent topic: Remote support security
Methods of cleaning drives
This section describes the methods of cleaning that the TS3500 Tape Library uses for its
drives.
Notes:
• It is the operator's responsibility to monitor cleaning cartridge usage.
• Automatic cleaning is always enabled with the Advanced Library Management
System (ALMS).