Importing Cartridges

Cartridges can be imported into the library using import/export (I/E) station. These instructions focus on using the library Web client to import cartridges. However, you must also have access to the operator panel and I/E station on the physical library to import cartridges.

NOTE: If your library has zero I/E station slots configured, you cannot import cartridges using the I/E station. See About I/E Station Slots for more information.

NOTE: Importing cartridges using the library Web client may necessitate performing an inventory on your host application. You can also import cartridges using your host application. See your host application documentation for more information.

Note on importing unassigned tape cartridges: When the manual cartridge assignment setting is enabled (the default setting), the Assign IE screen automatically appears on the operator panel after you have loaded the cartridges into the I/E station and closed the I/E station door. The screen prompts you to use the operator panel to assign the cartridges to a specific partition or to the system partition. The cartridges can then be used only by the assigned partition. If you do not wish to assign cartridges to a partition immediately, you can cancel out of this screen. Alternatively, users with administrative privileges can disable the manual cartridge assignment setting (operator panel, Tools > System Settings). In this case, the Assign IE screen does not appear on the operator panel. Unassigned cartridges in the I/E station are available for use by any partition, including the system partition. You can import unassigned cartridges into the library via the Web client. (You can only import unassigned cartridges via the operator panel if manual cartridge assignment is disabled.)

Before importing cartridges, verify that all tape drives are unloaded and that all cartridges are in their appropriate storage slots. Doing this will avoid over-loading the library with cartridges.

NOTICE: Some host applications may fail import/export operations when the I/E station contains cartridges that are assigned to another partition. Move cartridges from the I/E station as soon as possible to avoid possible conflicts with the other partitions.

Users with user or administrative privileges can import cartridges.

  1. Go to the front of the library and insert cartridges into the I/E station.

    The Assign IE screen appears on the local operator panel if the manual cartridge assignment setting is enabled on the local operator panel. If the Assign IE screen appears, do the following:

    1. Assign the cartridges to the appropriate partition by selecting a partition listed on the Assign IE screen.

      The partition button turns blue after it is selected.

    2. Using the operator panel, select Apply.
  2. Using the Web client, select Operations > Media > Import.

    If more than one partition exists, the Operations - Import Media screen appears. This screen contains a list of available partitions. If only one partition exists, this screen is bypassed and the Import Media - Partition (Mode) screen appears.

  3. Using the Web client, select the partition into which you want to import cartridges.
  4. Using the Web client, click Next.

    The Import Media - Partition (Mode) screen appears, where Partition is the name of the partition and Mode is the current mode of the partition. This screen contains a list of cartridges in the I/E station that are ready for import.

  5. Using the Web client, identify the number of empty storage slots that appear in the Empty Partition Slots field.

    The number of cartridges you can import is limited to the number of empty slots that exist in the partition.

  6. Using the Web client, select the cartridges to import into the partition.
  7. NOTE: You can select all cartridges by selecting the top check box. You can use the Filter by Barcode text box to filter the available cartridge barcodes. Click the Help button next to the Find button for more information about filtering barcodes. In addition, if not all cartridges appear on the screen, use the Page 1 of x arrows to view the additional cartridges.

    NOTE: Bold column headings in the table can be sorted. For example, selecting the Location column heading will sort by location coordinates.

  8. Using the Web client, click Apply.

    The Progress Window appears. The Progress Window contains information on the action, elapsed time, and status of the requested operation. Do one of the following:

See also: