Inserting LTO Tapes into the Tape Library

The Quantum Scalar i6 Tape Library has room for just under 100 tapes at a time. However, we have more than 100 tapes with content on them. So occasionally, when someone needs to restore something from tape, an Admin Alert will appear stating that the retrieval failed because the tape (with 6-digit barcode, i.e. 674###) is not available.

In this case, you have to manually insert this tape into the library. It's a simple process, but has a set of steps that must be followed in order for the system to recognize what you're doing:

Start by identifying a tape to remove from the library.

Go to the Stornext GUI (10.1.42.143; credentials in LastPass).
Go to Reports > Media.
Sort by "Last Accessed" and identify one of the tapes that hasn't been accessed recently. Write down this barcode number (i.e. 674###)
*I prefer to pick one that is tied to a QXS "Policy Class," since these are tied to the older filesystem and thus needed more infrequently.

Then go to CER to physically remove the tape from the library.

Go to the Tape Library GUI (10.1.42.141; credentials in LastPass).
Under "Library" on the left-side menu, select "Media"
Click + to expand the "Stornext" category
Sort by Barcode and scroll until you find the tape you'd like to remove
Click the checkbox for that tape, then select "Export"
In the pop-up window, select "Export from removal from library" and "Apply."

Wait for the in-process animation to complete in the GUI, then remove the tape:

Press the white triangle on the top-right of the library itself. This will pop open the tray of tapes.
The 5 slots closest to you are the Entry/Exit slots. You should see the tape you'd like to remove.
Take that tape out, put it in one of the clear plastic cases in the rolling cabinet in CER, and close the library tray.

Wait for the library to stop blinking green, then use the Stornext GUI to tell the library it has room for new tapes:

Go to the Stornext GUI (10.1.42.143; credentials in LastPass).
Go to Tools > Storage Manager > Media Actions
Under "Available Media Actions" select "Import Media"
Under 'Library" select "Scalar_i6"
Select "Audit Library."

Now that the library knows it has room for a new tape, you can insert the tape needed.

Find the tape needed from the white cabinet in CER
Press the top-right white triangle on the tape library to open the Entry/Exit tray
Insert the tape into one of the 5 empty slots closest to you, then close the tray.
Wait for the library to stop blinking green, then "Audit Library" again in the Stornext GUI (see section above)

Now the library knows that it has the tape needed to restore the requested file. So you just have to restart the job.

(Optional) Verify that the library sees the tape. Go to Reports > Media and find your barcode. It should say "Status: Available"
Restart the job: Go to Tools > File and Directory Actions. Select "Retrieve Directory"
Browse for and Select the directory you need to restore. Click Continue.
Check the boxes for "Recursive" and "Update Access Times" then "Apply."

The job should run and complete!