Cleaning cycle for PowerVault 112T

[Nick_Parrott at Dell.com]

Indeed, not much to add to that thanks Dennis..

Using cleaning tapes is, to some degree, destructive to the tape heads,
hence why it should only be done when "requested" and I wouldn't bank on
Backup software reporting this correctly. Do a routine visual sweep of
all drives to be sure.

It's common for cleaning tapes to expire and people not realising. If
there is a plastic window on the tape, check that the tape is not all on
one side, because that way it's either brand new or expired. Cleaning
tapes are usually rated with the cycles they have available for cleaning
(lifetime), so it's important to mark the tapes after each use.

With regards to the software, there may be a cleaning command for
libraries, when a cleaning tape sits and waits in a specific slot, but
not for single drives. Media needs to be marked, however some BU
software maintains a database of when the cleaning tape was used and how
many passes it's performed. Again, this is more in the realm of
libraries/loaders, not single drives, and is still inaccurate as the
tape might be used elsewhere in the mean time.

If light flashes, use tape. If it doesn't, don't. If it flashes
immediately after cleaning and always wants cleaning, call Dell!

Regards,

Nick 


Nick Parrott
Dell Enterprise Storage Support
Ire +353 (1) 850 543 543
UK +44 (0) 870 908 0500


-----Original Message-----
From: linux-poweredge-bounces at dell.com
[mailto:linux-poweredge-bounces at dell.com] On Behalf Of Dennis McLeod
Sent: 28 March 2008 17:55
To: linux-poweredge-Lists
Subject: RE: Cleaning cycle for PowerVault 112T

Let me just say right now, that I don't have one, or know the answer.

But, I'm reading the 110t user guide, and searched on Dell's forum, and
have
some questions....
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/stor%2Dsys/110T%5F80/en/ug/usage.h
tm

You are trying to run a cleaning cylce, because the "Clean Media" light
is
on, right?
You don't actually say that, but you DO say "but at no time does the
"clean
media" light light up or flash.", so I just want to be sure.

So, if the light is not on, it does not need a cleaning. Maybe that's
what
is going on.


Also from the user guide:

"CAUTION: Use only Dell approved cleaning cartridges in the PowerVault
110T
DLT VS 80 drive. See Recommended Tapes in Specifications for a list of
approved cleaning cartridges. Use of any other type of cleaning
cartridge
can damage the read/write head in your drive. If you load any other type
of
cleaning cartridge or method, the PowerVault 110T DLT VS 80 drive ejects
it
after approximately 25 seconds."

It is one of these cartridges, right? this sounds more like what you are
describing...

Recommended Tapes 
Cleaning
Dell 57HGU 
Benchmark BMKDLT1-02 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/stor%2Dsys/110T%5F80/en/ug/specs.h
tm
  

And from:
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=pv_rai
d&me
ssage.id=3631&query.id=262996#M3631

 
Cleaning Considerations

DLT tape drives do not need periodic cleaning. Only clean DLT tape
drives
when a request ismade by backup software, when a cleaning indicator is
seen
on the drive, or whentroubleshooting. Although DLT 4000/7000/8000/DLT1
and
VS80 drives use the same Type IVdata media, they do not use the same
cleaning tape.

the VS80 needs a DLT/VS Cleaning Tape Light browncolored. May
bedesignated
"DLT1"or "VS80." 

AND NOT  and Cleaning Tape III Typically cream colored and abeled "DLT
Cleaning Tape III."

 
Again, if it's not asking for one, it's not needed....

Finally, this is the Poweredge-Linux list....

HTH,
Dennis





-----Original Message-----
From: linux-poweredge-bounces at dell.com
[mailto:linux-poweredge-bounces at dell.com] On Behalf Of Pam Astor
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 10:08 AM
To: linux-poweredge at dell.com
Subject: RE: Cleaning cycle for PowerVault 112T


>>I have a 112t PowerVault 1U rack which holds (I believe) the 110t tape

>>drive, it runs DLT IV tapes.  @ present it's connected to a Poweredge
2950
III running Centos 5.1.
>>
>>I'm trying to run a clean cycle, and am not sure if it's doing what
it's
supposed to be doing.
>>The instructions that came with cleaning tape say that during the 
>>clean cycle, the ready light on the drive is supposed to stay solid 
>>green, and that the "clean media" light on the front panel is supposed
to
flash.  And when it's done cleaning, the tape is supposed to auto eject.
>>
>>In my case, when the tape loads, ready light blinks, then stays lit 
>>solid, but at no time does the "clean media" light light up or flash.
>>
>>How can I tell if it's really cleaning?  Or am I supposed to execute a

>>Linux command to commence cleaning?
> 
> Just wondered if any Dell experts had any insights into this problem 
> from a few days ago?  I tried cleaning several times, thought it could

> be possible that maybe the "clean media" light is burned out?
> 
> Or, is there a way CLI wise, to confirm that the tape drive has or has

> not run a cleaning cycle?

No one from Dell Corp. knows anything about the cleaning cycle of a Dell
110T - 112T powervault tape backup unit?

Nor anyone on this list?
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