Mislabeled Tapes Headache

I am periodically running into a situation where TSM will check in our tapes as private or relabel them to private, causing me headaches until I get the tapes status updated. So how do you identify the tapes that are mislabeled? Well if you have setup a library controller instance (which I recommend even if you will only have one instance for clients) then this script should work for you. What you will find when tapes are mislabeled is that they will show the library controller as their owner, will have a NULL value for LAST USE, and will of course be in private status. So a simple select statement can identify them for use.

select VOLUME_NAME from LIBVOLUMES where volume_name not in (select volume_name from volumes) and status='Private' and last_use is NULL and owner=''

If your library uses different types of media (LTO-2 and LTO-3) and you have different volume label series for them you can add another filter to further refine the results. For example my LTO-3 tape labels all start with L3 so I use:

select VOLUME_NAME from LIBVOLUMES where volume_name not in (select volume_name from volumes) and status='Private' and last_use is NULL and owner='' and volume_name like 'L3'

Once TSM has generated a list you can then run it through a while loop to reset their status or do further refining of the list if you like. If you are proficient with scripts you can automate the whole process and make life a lot easier.

Issue With NAS Path

I'm hoping someone else has seen this weird behavior with NAS paths and can shed some light on the issue. What I am currently experiencing is constant errors issuing to the actlog of my library controller instance caused by a failed mount/dismount for an NDMP backup. The TSM instance has been rebooted and the path put offline but I am still getting these errors:

05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D pvrremot.c(488): ThreadId <32> The PVR remote
descriptor is NULL.(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> issued message 9999 from: (SESSION:
24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x0000000100025bf4 outDiagf
(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x00000001004cd380
PvrRemoteOpenDrive (SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x000000010025193c
PvrOpenTapeDrive@AF144_48 (SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x0000000100245a0c
PvrOpenTapeDrive (SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x0000000100245930 PvrOpenDrive
(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x00000001002a0150 MgrGetIdleVol
(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x00000001002a0e78 PerformDismount
(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x00000001002a0850
PerformDismountNow (SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x00000001002a0d24 DismountThread
(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x000000010000fe5c StartThread
(SESSION: 24492)
05/15/2008 14:51:18 ANR9999D ThreadId <32> 0x090000000040f448 _pthread_body
(SESSION: 24492)

The problem is that support wants me to reboot my Powderhorn, which is just not feasible. ACSLS is not showing anything in the drive and that the drive is available so I don't see how it's a library/ACSLS issue.

Tivoli's October "Valuable Support Info" E-mail

Are you subscribing to IBM/Tivoli's Valuable Support Information E-mail? If not take the time to subscribe because the links, notices, and information are worth the few minutes it takes. For those of you not subscribing yet here it is in its entirety.

Welcome to the IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) technical support information update. This communication is designed to help you derive maximum value from your TSM software by providing the most up-to-date technical information, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to other key information. Please take a moment to read through the materials provided below. We are sure that you will find answers to many of your questions. This month's mailing has five main sections:

1. Frequently Encountered Situations and FAQs
2. News & Technical Flashes
3. Recent & Important Downloads
4. Upcoming Events & Live Technical Trainings
5. Problem-Solving Resources on our web site

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Frequently Encountered Situations and FAQs

Title: TSM Journal Based Backup FAQ
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21155524

Title: Library fails with ANR8840E and ANR8418E
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21218357

Title: Replacing a damaged primary storage pool volume
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21219227

Title: Windows 2003 Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Hotfixes for Systemstate Backup
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21242128

Title: IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Administration Center Requirements
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21195062

Title: Overview - Tivoli Storage Manager Supported Operating Systems
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21243309

Title: Upgrade Instructions - Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) 5.2 to 5.4 or 5.2 to 5.3 Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21251665

Title: MustGather: Read First for Tivoli Storage Manager Products
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21263547

Title: Guideline For Selecting The Appropriate IBM Tape Device Driver for Windows 2000
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21268024

Title: IBM Ultrium Generation 4 (LTO-4) drive and drive encryption support
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg27009625

News & Technical Flashes

Title: URGENT Actions Required: Changes to Daylight Saving Time will affect IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Administrative Interfaces
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21254129

Title: Backupsets should not be used to store Data Protection client or API client data
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21268040

Title: Data loss may occur on TSM 5.4 servers when performing off-site reclamation of a copy storage pool and active-data pools are defined
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21268228

Title: Two security vulnerabilities exist in the IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) client
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21268775

Title: Featured Documents for Tivoli Storage Manager
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg27009872Recent & Important Downloads

Title: Tivoli APAR notification page
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21177831

Title: Recommended TSM Client and Server Fixes
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21247179

Upcoming Events & Live Technical Trainings

Tivoli's Support Technical Exchange web seminars allows you to participate in live discussions on topics such as deployment, trouble-shooting tips, common issues, problem solving resources and other Support and Services recommendations.

To see the connection information for these seminars, as well as ALL Tivoli products just use the main link below.

Link: http://www.ibm.com/software/sysmgmt/products/support/supp_tech_exch.html

Mark your calendars: Here are the current listings for the FREE seminars though December, 2007

10/18/07 TSM Backup Considerations with Nseries
10/23/07 Overview, setup, and usage of NDMP operations
10/23/07 Understanding TSM HSM for Windows

11/06/07 LVSA / Open File Support
11/15/07 Tivoli Storage Manager Update
11/15/07 Ask the Experts call in session: TSM devices for Windows
11/20/07 Installing the Integrated Solutions Console (ISC) and Administration Center
11/29/07 Tuning Disk for use with Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM)

12/06/07 Exploiting Disk Technology with Tivoli Storage Manager

Help us choose future topics for our calls!
If you have ideas for a future discussion topics for TSM or to report problems with viewing content, please send feedback to: isstte@us.ibm.com

Problem-Solving Resources Online

Visit the IBM Tivoli Storage Manager product support page
Link: http://www.ibm.com/software/sysmgmt/products/support/IBMTivoliStorageManager.html IBM Education Assistant for TSM

Short, task-based audio and visual presentations on pertinent topics.
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21236711

Free IBM Support Assistant product plug-in for TSM A desktop tool to aid in your TSM administration.
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg24009958

Self help support info for new Tivoli Storage Manager Administrators
Link: http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21212718

Complimentary TSM Concepts Poster & Complimentary Online Self-Paced Training Classes
Link: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&uid=swg21217663

Participate in the ADSM.org and ADSM/L forums:
Link: http://www.adsm.org