ML3 Tape Drive - 2 x LTO8 Drives

Question

Hello all

I have an odd issue with a ML3 tape library in that the drives randomly reboot/power cycle and then take an extended time to initialize. I have gone through the process of changing the physical ML3 unit itself, the tape drives, sas cards and cables. The only 2 hardware components not changed is the psu and management card as I did not have any spares.

The firmware of the unit is up to date along with the tape drives themselves, also this happens without a backup job being scheduled.

It mainly occurs with tape drive 2 and if the drives are changed around or a replacement drive added drive 2 will power cycle and re-initialize.

Hopefully someone can give me some ideas as to what is happening here

Thanks in advance

DELL-Charles R · Answer

Hello trodai0080,

I'm sorry to see it is randomly rebooting. Do I understand correct that you have changed drive 2 but no matter what drive is in that position the issue still occurs on drive 2?

Have you run the Diagnostics?

Try running the diagnostics, let me know results and export the log:

How to run Drive Diagnostics Test on ML3 Library

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-my/000144463/how-to-run-drive-diagnostics-test-on-ml3-library

How to collect Drive Log of a ML3 Tape Library

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-my/000128228/how-to-collect-drive-log-of-a-ml3-tape-library

You can upload the log here under your ML3 service tag. Please private message me the service tag once it is uploaded.

https://upload.dell.com/