How the library manager is controlled depends entirely upon the manufacturer. When we had an IBM ATL, we indeed used RMSMASTER.
When we switched to an Sun/STK VTS, Sun/STK required that we install: a separate Sparc workstation running Redhat, software on VM to talk over IP to that Redhat workstation, and that would then talk to Sun/STK software on a z/OS system to control the library. I saw that as a long string of problems (including firewall changes) just waiting to fail - often, and without warning. Too many control points beyond our control! Long ago I'd developed a band-aid/bubblegum method of entering a command on VM:Operator, which would send a message through an RSCS NJE connection to our z/OS systems. Automation on those z/OS systems trapped the message, issued the requested command on the appropriate z/OS system(s), trapped the response, and sent it back as a string messages in rexx stem variable format through that same RSCS NJE connection. VM:Operator trapped the response and displayed it for forwarded it to the command issuer. After couple weeks of work, that process was improved to enter the Sun/STK ".MOUNT". ".DISM", and other ".command"s as if the z/OS Operator had issued them. We prevented an expense of over $50,000 for the Sun/STK software "required" on z/VM, the Sun/STK Sparc workstation, a Redhat implementation, firewall rules, untold tape mount failures due to messed up firewall changes, and multiple points of failure. One day I might get around to replacing that band-aid/bubblegum connection with something less complex and actually supported - but until then, it continues to work great. It's not pretty, it's not simple, but it does the job. Neither Sun/STK's recommended installation, nor my alternate solution required DFSMS/CMS. Mike Walter Hewitt Associates The opinions expressed herein are mine alone, not my employer's. "David Boyes" <dbo...@sinenomine.net> Sent by: "The IBM z/VM Operating System" <IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU> 05/05/2010 09:25 AM Please respond to "The IBM z/VM Operating System" <IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU> To IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU cc Subject Re: VMTAPE Command > I'd be somewhat surprised that a hardware provider has a requirement > for a > very specific software vendor's tape library product (e.g. CA's > VM:Tape, > IBM's "Tape Manager for z/VM" product, etc.). In fact, since the interface for manipulating library changer hardware is not documented, most call out to DFSMS/CMS to do the deed. The information contained in this e-mail and any accompanying documents may contain information that is confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply e-mail and then delete this message, including any attachments. Any dissemination, distribution or other use of the contents of this message by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. All messages sent to and from this e-mail address may be monitored as permitted by applicable law and regulations to ensure compliance with our internal policies and to protect our business. E-mails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, lost or destroyed, or contain viruses. You are deemed to have accepted these risks if you communicate with us by e-mail.
