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CNS News
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CNS is replacing the IBM 3480 magnetic tape cartridge drives with a "Virtual Tape Server" (VTS). The VTS is a software simulation of IBM 3480 magnetic tape drives that runs on a Linux system and stores the tape volumes as files on disks on a dedicated disk storage system. See previous CNS News Item N0451 (01/12/2007) [http://docweb.cns.ufl.edu/news/n0451/].
The deadline for customers to convert to the new VTS system is December 03, 2007. On that date the physical 3480 drives will be removed from service. All physical tape cartridges remaining in the CNS tape library will be returned to their owners if possible; where owners cannot be located, remaining tapes will be destroyed.
CNS will provide assistance to customers in converting their tapes to the new system. We request that customers review the content of their tapes, and selectively convert only those which they actually need to retain.
ACTIVE tapes currently used in production should be moved to the VTS, and then destroyed.
ARCHIVE tapes currently being retained for record retention purposes should also be moved to the VTS, and then destroyed.
ANCIENT Tapes older than the required record-retention period should NOT be moved to the VTS. These tapes should be destroyed immediately.
There are approximately 25,000 physical IBM 3480 tape cartridges in the CNS tape library. Moving from physical tapes to Virtual Tapes benefits both CNS and CNS customers:
eliminates tape mounts and speeds up tape I/O
improves and standardizes backup methods for all enterprise systems
reduces costs by eliminating equipment maintenance charges
frees up computer room space for other uses
frees up computer operator time for other uses
Questions regarding the process for converting tapes into the VTS should be directed to Scott Crumpton (<scc@ufl.edu>). Question regarding the disposal of tapes after the deadline may be directed to Andy Olivenbaum (<cao@ufl.edu>)
See CNS's VTS page at http://mvs.cns.ufl.edu/mvs/vts.html for more information, including documentation on the conversion process.
We recommend that all interested users subscribe to
VTS-DISCUSS-L by sending a short e-mail to
LISTSERV@LISTS.UFL.EDU with the command SUBSCRIBE
VTS-DISCUSS-L as the body of the
message. The example below illustrates (approximately) how your
subscription request should appear.yourFirstname yourLastname
TO: LISTSERV@LISTS.UFL.EDU
FROM: you@your.email.address
SUBJECT: Ignored
SUBSCRIBE VTS-DISCUSS-L yourFirstname yourLastname
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this and all CNS documentation. Please send your comments to: