Grass Valley PLS200 - Manual (Page 21)

Library Elements
PDR 100 1.4 Release Notes xxi
Drive blank (not shown)
Drive blanks are “empty” drive carriers with solid faceplates. If you plan to
operate the library with fewer than four tape drives, you must install drive
blanks in the empty drive positions. The drive blanks ensure correct air flow
through the library for cooling, compliance with EMI regulations, and in some
configurations, correct SCSI connection.
Cartridge handling mechanism (CHM)
The cartridge handling mechanism (CHM) moves cartridges between cartridge
slots, tape drives, and the entry/exit port.
Bar code scanner
The high-speed bar code scanner, mounted on the CHM, reads bar code labels
affixed to the cartridges to track individual cartridges. Cartridge label
information becomes part of the library's cartridge inventory stored in
nonvolatile RAM.
Serial ports (not shown)
Two serial ports (25-pin and 9-pin) at the back of the library allow an external
computer to communicate with the tape drives and the library across a serial
cable. By running a special diagnostic program, service personnel can perform
diagnostics, upgrade firmware, and test CHM motion.
SCSI connectors (not shown)
The library has ten SCSI connectors, accessible through the cabling bay on the
back.
Library Elements
The library contains four types of elements:
• The CHM is the medium transport element.
• The entry/exit port is the import/export element.
• The cartridge slots are the storage elements.
• The tape drives are the data transfer elements.