Allocate the iSeries tape drive to an integrated Windows server

To use an iSeries™ tape drive from the integrated Windows server console, you must vary it off on i5/OS™ and lock it onto the integrated server. You must lock the device before starting applications or their services.

Note:

Some tape devices report in under more than one device description. Tape libraries (3590, 3570, and so forth) report in as devices (TAPxx) as well as tape libraries (TAPMLBxx), where xx is a number. IBM® iSeries Integrated Server Support does not support tape libraries. Therefore, if your device has a tape library description, you must vary off both the tape device and the tape library device before locking the device on the integrated server.

To transfer control of the iSeries tape drive to an integrated server, follow these steps:

1. Vary off the tape drive on i5/OS:
   • To do this from iSeries Navigator
     1. Click Configuration and Service —> Hardware —> Tape Devices.
     2. Click Stand-Alone Devices or Tape Libraries.
     3. Right-click a device or library and select Make Unavailable.
   • To do this from the i5/OS character based interface
     1. At the i5/OS command line, type WRKCFGSTS *DEV *TAP, and press the Enter key. The Work with Configuration Status display appears.

        Note:

        WRKCFGSTS *DEV *TAPMLB will display a list of the tape library devices.

     2. In the Opt column next to the device name of your tape drive, type 2 to vary off the tape drive.
     3. Press Enter. The tape drive varies off.
2. Lock the tape device on an integrated server:
   1. From its Windows console, click Start —> Programs —> IBM iSeries —> IBM iSeries Integrated Server Support.
   2. Expand IBM iSeries Integrated Server Support.
   3. Expand the network server description name.
   4. Select iSeries Devices.
   5. Select the tape object that you want to lock.
   6. Right-click and select All Tasks, Lock Device.
3. If you need other information about the tape device to enable an application to recognize it, see Identify iSeries tape devices for applications. If you have problems, see Tape problems.