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To ensure proper data center operation, system operators must continually monitor the operator console for mount, allocation, and intervention messages from CA VM:Tape. The CA VM:Operator/CA VM:Tape interface enables your system operators to use the CA VM:Operator TAPEMGR process to monitor this CA VM:Tape activity and provides you with up-to-the-minute information about tape drive status and tape mount requests.

The TAPEMGR process can add to CA VM:Tape capabilities by measuring the elapsed time it takes to satisfy a tape mount.

How the Interface Works

The TAPEMGR process interacts directly with the CA VM:Tape service virtual machine. The TAPEMGR process can run in the SYSTEM window or in a separate CA VM:Tape window. Sites often run the TAPEMGR process in its own window on a separate dedicated console placed near the tape drives. Large sites often use several TAPEMGR processes, each handling a subset of the tape drives.

The TAPEMGR process, when running in the CA VM:Tape window, displays a fixed number of lines containing information received in response to the CA VM:Tape QUERY TAPES command. This fixed display is updated every minute.

The bottom portion of the CA VM:Tape window contains a command line for entering CA VM:Tape commands. Commands entered at the prompt are sent to the CA VM:Tape service virtual machine. The one exception is CP commands; these are executed directly by the machine running CA VM:Operator if the console is authorized to issue CP commands.

Command response messages scroll in the CA VM:Tape window along with other CA VM:Tape messages, such as CP TAPE ATTACH and DETACH messages concerning tape drives managed by the TAPEMGR process. Tape mount messages and prompts for volume label verification are displayed in high intensity and held in the CA VM:Tape window.

Restrictions and Requirements

For the interface to work effectively, the CA VM:Tape messages should not be modified.

When you installed CA VM:Operator and CA VM:Tape, a CA VM:Tape window was set up for you. You may want to add CA VM:Tape windows or modify the existing window to match your site's configuration.

Note: For more information, see the CA VM:Operator Administration Guide.

Do not set up a REVIEW window for the TAPEMGR process because you will probably be more concerned with present than past activity.

Implementation

  1. Log on to VMTAPE.
  2. Enter the END command to shut down VMTAPE.
  3. Make sure there is a TAPEOPER operator record in the VMTAPE CONFIG file. This configuration file record identifies operator as the user ID to receive tape operator messages.
  4. Make sure there is a PRODUCT VMOPERATOR OPERATOR record in the VMTAPE CONFIG file. This configuration file record provides CA VM:Tape with the CA VM:Operator service virtual machine user ID. This record is optional but recommended to filter out and prevent the CA VM:Tape console from becoming filled with informational messages from the TAPEMGR process.
  5. Enter the PROFILE command to restart VMTAPE.
  6. Enter the #CP DISCONN command to leave VMTAPE running disconnected.
  7. Log on to VMANAGER.
  8. Enter the CA VM:Operator ADMIN CONFIG command.
  9. Make sure there is a PRODUCT VMTAPE VMTAPE record in the VMOPER CONFIG file. This configuration file record provides CA VM:Operator with the CA VM:Tape service virtual machine user ID. This record activates the interface.
  10. If you added or changed the record, enter the FILE command to change the record and reconfigure CA VM:Operator.
  11. Using the CA VM:Operator ADMIN EDIT command, ensure that there is a PROCESS TAPEMGR record in the CA VM:Operator MAINOPER CONSOLE file or SYSTEM INCLUDE file if you want to hold and highlight CA VM:Tape messages in the CA VM:Operator SYSTEM window until the request is satisfied.
    A TAPEMGR process running in the SYSTEM window will hold messages from CA VM:Tape until the operator fulfills the request. The messages will then scroll off of the screen.
    Note: The held CA VM:Tape MOUNT messages cannot be removed with the CA VM:Operator REMOVE PF key.
  12. Make sure that there is an IGNORE MSG VMTAPE record in the SYSTABLE if you are using PROCESS TAPEMGR in the SYSTEM window. This record instructs CA VM:Operator to ignore additional messages from CA VM:Tape that are being handled by the TAPEMGR process.
  13. If you changed the SYSTABLE, use the OPERATOR TABLE LOAD command to put the change into effect.