We too, have seen many problems with AIT-3. I run 5 TSM Server that use AIT-3 drives in a Qualstar library. These all give me problems. I also run two TSM Servers using 3590E drives in a 3494 library. Almost no problems with these two.
Of the 5 AIT-3 systems, problems seem to be proportional to the load on the TSM Server. Two of these ar AIX and three are Solaris. I have had problems with TSM 5.1 and 5.2, currently running 5.2.2.5 and 5.1.7.1 and 5.1.5.4. The most heavily used system presents problems absolutely every day. We replaced all of the drives - did not help. We ordered a new batch of tapes - did not help. Worked with the vendor - did not help. Some of the specific issues that I see are: a) Write errors (a couple per day), TSM sets volume access to readonly. Sometimes if I reset the volume access to readwrite and try again, the tape writes the next time. Once I get three write errors on a tape, I do a Move Data and reuse the tape as scratch. Almost all of the time, the next write pass works just fine on the tape. Occasionally the same tape gives me problems and I retire the tape. I have resorted to cleaning each drive once per day. Jury still out on if this is helping. b) Tape fails to unload. TSM reports Drive Failure with ASC/ASCQ=44/00 (internal target failure). Usually the tape unloads if I hold in the eject button for 20-30 seconds, sometimes I need to power cycle the drive to get the tape to unload. Microcode level 0205 seems to have al but eliminated this problem. But now I get ASC/ASCQ=3B/08 with about the same frequency as the 44/00 had been getting. The 3B/08 (reposition error) does not leave the tape stuck in the drive, but TSM does turn the drive offline. So it appears that the microcode upgrade traded the problem and helped somewhat. in that a physical visit to the stuck tape drive is no longer necessary. c0 Drive failures. I've had to replace 5 (of the 10) drives on this busiest system in the past month. Different failure modes: 1) Drive failed to unload tapes, including a cleaning cartridge, 2) Drive gets three flashing lights on any attempted tape load, cleaning cartridge works okay, 3) Every time I attempted to turn this drive online, it hung the SCSI bus, 4) One replacement drive was DOA, would not even power up, 5) Every tape loaded resulted in ASC/ASCQ=30/02 (media incompatibility). d) I had to replace a drive on the second most busy system today. The drive gets I/O Error Reading Label on every tape it tries to mount. This resulted in all (61) of my scratch tapes being rejected and put into private status. All of the "filling" status tapes were also tried, rejected and put into "unavailable" access. Took a while to sort all of this out. Tried cleaning the drive a couple of time, but this did not help. Is there some way that the three of us (at least) can get together to resolve some of these issues? Any ideas? Robert R. Price ADSM/TSM Administrator Computer Sciences Corporation Phone: 412-374-3247 Fax: 412-374-6371 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a PRIVATE message. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete without copying and kindly advise us by e-mail of the mistake in delivery. NOTE: Regardless of content, this e-mail shall not operate to bind CSC to any order or other contract unless pursuant to explicit written agreement or government initiative expressly permitting the use of e-mail for such purpose. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Barth, Terry (MBS)" To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <Terry.Barth cc: @MORTGAGEFAMILY. Subject: Re: AIT3 and errors COM> Sent by: "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L 11/11/04 11:59 AM Please respond to "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" We have just had the library replaced along with many of the tapes and we still continue to see errors. :( -----Original Message----- From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Benigni Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 11:11 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: AIT3 and errors Terry, Yes! I'm glad to hear someone else is having problems too. I've had a number of drive failures occur too. Right now I'm working with the vendor to resolve these issues. Dave >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 11/11/2004 10:02:30 AM >>> Good Morning - Is anyone out there using AIT3 and experiencing high error issues, such as i/o errors reading labels, write errors, read errors, data integrity errors, stuck tapes? Thanks -- Terry