Label issue

[v1nsr]

Hi,

We have Dell ML6000 tape libraries that are set to Plus 6 for the tape labels, see below for explanation. So ie, we have tapes labels WI9700L4. The issue is that we need more tape labels but would run out of characters, if we used, ie WI10000L4, so we would need to change the setting on the tape library to Extended, but Dell have said the following, see below, can you comment if you think we have any issues with Networker if we change to extended.


Plus Six — Six character barcode number followed by a two-character media ID; for example, "XXXXXXL4". The six character barcode and media ID are reported to the host.

Extended — Five to 16 characters total, including a barcode number and optional two-character media ID. All characters are reported to the host, regardless of the barcode label having a media ID or not. If a media ID is included, the label must have a five to 14 character barcode followed by a media ID; for example, "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXL4". If a media ID is not included, the label must have a five to 16 character barcode number; for example, "XXXXX" or "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX".

Mail from Dell

But what you should take into account is that all the old tapes will be treated as new ones
their barcodes will be recognized as they fall into the standard but for the media db
they will be completely new media (even if they already hold data inside), this will impact you
in case of inventories and similar operations.

I cannot really speak about the effects on Networker as this escapes my knowledge.




Many Thanks

 

[605]

I rushed through the NW docs bit could not find a reference about the barcode type. So the best would be to contact EMC support.

But why are you limiting yourself at all by using the prefix WI? - In fact this is useless info unless you would swap tapes between multiple data zones.