TS4300 ReadMe file: Files in this download contain Licensed Materials, property of IBM, (C) Copyright IBM Corp. 1998-2015. All Rights Reserved. The Licensing Agreement is viewable at the following link: http://www-947.ibm.com/systems/support/machine_warranties/machine_code.html IBM periodically releases firmware updates that are intended to, among other things, increase overall reliability, improve tape handling, further reduce any possibility of data loss/data error, and provide continued enhancements to diagnostic capabilities. The readme files contain information that may not be included in the IBM TS4300 documentation. The readme files take precedence over the documentation. Therefore, any information in this file that conflicts with information in the documentation will supercede the TS4300 Tape Library Operator Guide. The IBM TS4300 Tape Library is responsible for providing basic and advanced tape functionality for backup/restore and archive environments. For more details on functionality and other operation procedures, consult the IBM TS4300 Knowledge Center at the following link: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/ts4300-tape-library In order to provide maximum performance and reliability, it is recommended that the latest version of microcode is installed on your IBM tape libraries and tape devices. These firmware updates are intended to, among other things, increase overall reliability, improve tape handling, further reduce any possibility of data errors, and provide continued enhancements to diagnostic capabilities. CODE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS: Current TS4300 firmware level recommendations are available at https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-ts4300-code-update-recommendation Notes 1. LTO9 drives will show a "Calib" state during the LTO9 media optimization process on first load. 2. Un-initialized M8 media and Pre-initialized M8 media is supported with a minimum LTO8 tape drive firmware level of HB82 and a minimum library firmware level of 1.1.1.1-B00. The usage of M8 media with prior firmware levels may result in a permanent reduction in the capacity of the M8 media from 9 TB to 6 TB (native). 3. The MIB files are not installed on the library. They are installed on the customer SNMP client. MAIN NEW FEATURES 1.5.0.2 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.5.0.1 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.5.0.0 level includes: - LTO9 tape drive support - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.4.1.0 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.4.0.0 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.3.0.1 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.3.0.0 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.2.1.0 level includes: - 40 slots Accessor support - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.2.0.0 level includes: - SKLM for z/OS Encryption - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.1.1.2 level includes: - Sequential mode support - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.1.1.1 level includes: - Un-initialized M8 media support - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.1.1.0 level includes: - LTO8 tape drive support - Pre-initiialized M8 media is supported with a minimum LTO8 tape drive firmware level of HB82 - Additional fixes (See fixlist) 1.1.0.1 level includes: - Additional fixes (See fixlist) SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS: This tape library works with the following operating systems: AIX, Linux, Windows. For details on supported tape attachment please refer to the System Storage Interoperation Center website. http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/storage/config/ssic/ TROUBLESHOOTING: IBM Tape Diagnostic Tool (ITDT) provides the customer with functionality to perform maintenance tasks and run diagnostic tasks to determine tape device issues. This is available to download with the device driver. Support: Support for the following ITDT version: * ITDT-SE v9.5.4.20220718 (See note 8 of Known Isues and Limitations) * ITDT-GE v9.5.4.20220718 (See note 8 of Known Isues and Limitations) Support for the Following MIB Files: * Go to Fix Central under the TS4300 product and get the latest MIB file Known Issues and Limitations: 1. Brocade: Brocade HBAs, and their IBM version, do NOT support L-port topology. Direct attach configurations to our Tape Storage products is therefore NOT supported with these cards. 2. Brocade: Brocade HBA driver has to be installed manually by user, as it is not native on the operating system 3. CPF/DPF: Control Path and Data Path Failover is not supported when running devices connected to a single host server with HBAs that use different HBA drivers 4. AIX: NPIV attachment support via the FC 5729, 5735 and 5273 Fibre Channel HBA (requires VIOS 2.2). 5. AIX & LpS/SAS: Path Failover features are not supported with SAS HBAs (FC 5900, FC 5912, FC 5901 and FC 5278). 6. AIX & LpS: User may experience communication interruption with the tape device if there are link errors in the SAS interface (No cable pull support on SAS adapters) 7. ITDT: For a complete list of ITDT Limitations and Known Issues, please refer to the Readme file and the "Device Driver Installation and User Guide" distributed with the software. 8. LTO drive firmware: In a host environment with multiple cable paths lost and driver data path fail over attempts along with drive code level LTO8_J4D0, LTO8_J4D1, LTO7_J4D0, LTO7_J4D1, LTO6_J450 and LTO6_J451, there is a possibility of the drive becoming unresponsive to host SCSI commands and unsuccessful driver fail over. 9. LTO9 SAS drive supported only in Intel based servers 10. Customer with LTO7/LTO8 on P380/1 level using Legato NetWorker or NetBackup with encryption and experiencing a hang during a write operation should downlevel to N9M0/1 to resolve this issue.