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Implications for libraries – HP C737990900 User Manual

Page 22

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22 Interface Implementation

The values of the names can be obtained using the Device Identification Vital

Product Information Page (part of the

INQUIRY

command).

Implications for Libraries

Normally a standalone drive will operate using its own ‘hard’ names.

The drive knows it is in a library or other ‘managed’ environment since one

of the signal lines on the ACI (Automation Control Interface) will be tied

down.
In this case, the drive will not go on the FC loop until it is told to. The library

can optionally download a new, soft base name (Port A/Device Name)

into the drive at this point. The drive will then use this as the origin of its

names. The library manufacturer would be responsible for obtaining this

IEEE Registered Name. It would be a property of the library, not the drive.

If the library wants to ‘warm swap’ drives, it can. It just ‘turns off’ the drive

with the soft name using the ACI and then turns on the spare drive,

downloading the same name to it.

If a drive is removed from the library, it will not have the ACI signal tied low

and so will revert to its original hard name. It should forget the soft name in

this case.

If the library controller breaks, the drive will time out the ACI interface in

~10 seconds. The drive still knows it is in a library since the ACI signal is