Spectra T200 - Automatic Media Discovery

Chapter 9 — Configuring and Using Media Lifecycle Management BlueScale Media Lifecycle Management
December 2019 User Guide—Spectra T200, T380, and T680 Libraries
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The discovery process depends on whether the library is using Media Auto
Discovery or PreScan. With Media Auto Discovery the library reads the
barcode label on each new cartridge in the partition; with PreScan the
library reads the barcode label on every cartridge in the partition. If a
barcode is not already in the MLM database, the library loads the cartridge
into a drive and performs either a PreScan or the basic Media Auto
Discovery.
 If the cartridge is MLM-enabled, the library collects the available MLM
information from the cartridge’s MAM, including the born-on date. If
the cartridge was used previously, the library also collects media health
and encryption status from the MAM. The library updates the MLM
database to include the collected information and the name of the
partition where it currently resides. Any updated MLM information is
also written to the MAM in the cartridge.
 If the cartridge is not MLM-enabled, the library collects the cartridge
barcode label information, the cartridge health information, and the
name of the partition where the cartridge currently resides. It then adds
this information to the MLM database.
When the discovery process is complete, the drive unloads the cartridge
and the library returns the cartridge to its original location. Each
subsequent load/unload updates the MLM database and the cartridge
MAM, providing ongoing tracking and reporting for the cartridge.
Manual Discovery If Media Auto Discovery is not enabled or if you enabled
MLM when the library already contained cartridges, you can start the
media discovery process manually to add the cartridges to the MLM
database (see Discover Cartridges Manually on page 286).
Note: After you enable Media Auto Discovery, importing a cartridge into
a partition triggers the discovery process in that partition.
Automatic Discovery During Normal Operations Automatic media
discovery cannot begin while the library is actively loading cartridges into
drives. If you import cartridges during this time, the library posts a failure
message stating that no drives are available.
To avoid this failure, either wait until the library is idle before importing
media or start the manual discovery process for the imported media when
the library is idle. See Discover Cartridges Manually on page 286 for
instructions.