Ensure tapes are in good condition

This topic describes how to ensure that the tape cartridges are in good condition using the Work with Lifetime Statistics display.

To ensure that your tapes are in good condition, keep track of the tape volume statistics on your iSeries™ server.
  1. Type STRSST (the Start System Service Tools command).
  2. Select option 1 (Start a service tool) on the System Service Tools menu.
  3. Select option 1 (Product Activity Log) on the Start a Service Tool menu.
  4. Select option 4 (Work with removable media lifetime statistics) on the Product Activity Log menu.
  5. Select the type of removable media for which you want data on the Select Media Option display.
  6. If you see the >> or > symbols preceding the volume ID on the Work with Lifetime Statistics display, take the appropriate action as is described in the table following the image of the Work with Lifetime Statistics display.

Figure of the Work with Lifetime Statistics display
Parent topic: Maintain tape resources
Related tasks
Format tape cartridges

Symbols in the Work with Lifetime Statistics display

Symbol Explanation Action to take
>> Media replacement recommended Copy the contents of the media to a new tape and discard the old tape.
> Media approaching replacement criteria
  • Replace the tape if the tape format is:
    • QIC-120
    • 7208 2.3 GB
    • 6250 bpi density
  • If the tape format does not fulfill the previous conditions, continue to keep track of this tape to ensure that media replacement is not necessary.
Note: To ensure accurate statistics, each tape cartridge or reel must have a unique volume ID.

Remove a media lifetime statistics entry after a volume is replaced

After media has been replaced, remove the lifetime statistics entry by using option 4(delete entry). Also, you can use the Print Error Log (PRTERRLOG) command to print and delete the entry by typing the following:

PRTERRLOG TYPE(*VOLSTAT) VOLTYPE(xxxx) VOL(xxxxxx) VOLSTAT(*DLT)