-----Zoltan Forray wrote: ----- >As this project moves forward, I am doing more and more research >since I am >unfamiliar with this beast (3494 has been my baby since it was >installed in >1995). > >The book talks about "*to communicate with a server, the IBM System >Storage >TS3500 Tape Library uses a Fibre Channel interface (also called a >port).*" > >Why? What is this "fibre channel interface" used for? The 3494 use >IP to >communicate/manage the library and the drives inside the library used >fibre >plus an RS422 connection to the library manager.
FCP has a two level addressing structure: each storage device port is identified by a WWPN (World Wide Port Name), and each device supported by a given port is identified by a LUN (Logical Unit Number). On a disk array, a LUN identifies a block of disk storage that host systems will treat as if it were a physical disk drive. Each tape drive in a TS3500 has a LUN used for drive operations. At least one drive will be configured as a control path. A drive configured that way will have a second LUN. Commands and data sent to the second LUN will be forwarded to the library manager firmware. Thomas Denier Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
