Silicon Graphics
OpenVault
Glossary of Terms

$Id: glossary.html,v 1.8 1997/07/01 21:38:30 curtis Exp $

Term, Usage Related Terms Definition

AAPI See "Administrative Application Progammer Interface."

Abstract Drive Interface DCP,
drive Also called "ADI." This is a device independent language that allows the MLM server to control any type of removable media drive.

Abstract Library Interface ALI interpreter,
Library Control Program Also called "ALI." This is a language defined so as to allow the MLM Server to control any library without building library-specific commands or features into the MLM Server.
A library-specific program called a Library Control Program interprets the ALI and interacts with the library in order to perform the operation that the ALI calls for.

Administrative Application Program Interface Also called "AAPI."

ALI See "Abstract Library Interface."

attribute command attribute,
show command The attribute command appears in CAPI, ALI and ADI. It is a generic command used to set/unset attributes of an object. Setting an attribute either associates a new name/value pair with an object, or changes the attribute value if the attribute has already been associated with the object. Unsetting an attribute disassociates a name/value pair from an object.
An application can associate application-specific information with an MLM managed object, such as a cartridge, via the attribute command.

attribute, of an object attribute command,
show command An attribute is a name/value pair that is associated with an object. Attributes are used generically in MLM, both as a means to associate information with objects and as a way to ask for specific information about an object.
An attribute may be defined either by MLM as a predefined object attribute, or by an application as an application-specific attribute.
In addition to a name and value, an attribute has associated with it a data type and access control to determine who can read and write its value.

barcode barcode reader,
physical cartridge label A barcode is a machine-readable representation of a physical cartridge label. Typically, robotic libraries use barcode to identify cartridges. These robots use a barcode reader to translate from a machine-readable into a human-readable representation, such as a Volume Serial Number.

barcode reader barcode A laser-optical reader that scans a barcode and then uses logic to translate from a scanned barcode to a human-readable representation, such as a Volume Serial Number.

bay, of library library,
pass-through port Some libraries are composed of subunits that could function as libraries in their own right, but that have been connected together via pass-through ports so that cartridges can be moved between them. Each subunit is called a bay.

blind library physical cartridge label,
sighted library,
verification A library that can read a physical cartridge label is called sighted and one that cannot read physical cartridge labels is called blind.
The MLM Server has to treat the two types of libraries differently as a blind library has no way to name a cartridge other that it's slot number, which is not normally visible to the MLM Server.

capability, of drive Abstract Drive Interface,
drive,
Drive Control Program,
mode of access This is a feature of an abstract drive that may be set through ADI. A certain combination of capabilities represents a mode of access. Capabilities permit DCP to hide from the MLM Server the underlying control and access methods to the drive.

CAPI See "Client Application Program Interface."

cartridge form factor,
library,
Library Control Program,
media,
physical cartridge label A cartridge is the unit of physical operation and management within a library. A cartridge contains one or more pieces of media, and has a certain form factor.
The most common forms of cartridge are for magnetic tape and laser- and magneto- optical disk.

cartridge name

cartridge type form factor,
media type This is the cartridge form factor plus the media type.

Client Application Client Application Programmer Interface Also called "MLM Client." This is the "user" of MLM services. The client is an application program that is known it MLM.

Client Application Program Interface Also called "CAPI."

control path, of drive drive,
data path This is a control interface to the drive that is accessible by the DCP, and possibly by MLM Client Applications on the DCP host. Typically, a drive is connected to a host by a local channel or shared network connection between. This connection represents the control path to the drive.
While every MLM-managed drive has some form of control interface, a drive is not MLM-accessible unless it has a control path.

data path, of drive control path,
drive This is a connection between the DCP host and the drive media access point that may be accessible by the DCP and MLM Client Applications on the DCP host. A drive media access point may lack a data path. An example of a media access point that lacks a host connection and to which applications do not have access is a set of RGB lines that attach a video drive to a display device. For drives with a data path, DCP may require access to the drive data path, for example to identify a soft partition.

destination, of move command Abstract Library Interface,
cartridge,
move command,
source This is the address of a slot within the library. It is the move destination for the cartridge located at the slot address that is given as the source of the move command.

DCP See "Drive Control Program."

drive control path,
data path,
Drive Control Program,
drive name,
drive type,
form factor,
Library Control Program,
media,
media access point,
media type,
mount command,
mount point,
unmount command From an application and DCP point of view, this is the mechanism used to access the bits on the media contained by a cartridge. From an LCP point of view, a drive is a named object and the target of mount and unmount commands.
The most common form of drive is the tape drive, but other forms include a CDROM drive and a Magneto-Optical Rewritable Disc drive.
Each drive has a name that is unique within the control of the MLM Server. That name is the general means by which all MLM components refer to the drive. It is used by the MLM Server to discover the LCP to DCP relationships to that drive, including whether a drive is attached to multiple hosts.
Each drive has a certain type that is defined by the form factor of the cartridges it will accept as well as the media format.
A drive must have an associated DCP and LCP before MLM may select it for mount and unmount commands.

Drive Control Program ADI,
drive Also called "DCP."

drive name drive This is the name used throughout MLM (by all of the MLM components) to identify a particular drive.

drive type See "cartridge type."

eject command Abstract Library Interface,
eject port,
inject command,
inject port

eject port eject command,
inject port,
library,
operator access door,
port name,
port type A physical opening in a library from which a cartridge contained by that library may be removed by a human operator.
The physical means to eject a cartridge vary from library to library, but common themes are:

Small openable doors in the sides of the library with slots mounted on the inside of the door.
Rotating barrels with slots mounted on one side, topologically equivalent to doors.
Single slots that open on both the inside and the outside of the library.
A hand that can carry a single cartridge from the inside to the outside of the library.
Some libraries have distinct ports for inject and for eject, while some use the same port for both purposes. The door and barrel style is almost always a dual-use port. Some libraries lack ports for both inject and eject, in which case an operator would inject and eject cartridges using an exterior access door.

export command, of AAPI Administrative Application Programmer Interface,
import command This is a MLM administrative command that logically releases a cartridge from MLM control.

form factor, of cartridge cartridge type The canonical name given to the physical shape and dimensions of the cartridge shell that surrounds the media.
Example form factors include 3480 1/2" tape, DLT 1/2" tape, 8mm tape, and 4mm tape.
This defines what shape of slot the cartridge can fit into and possibly which gripper must be used to move the cartridge. It does not define the recording technology or format used to write bits on the media in the cartridge, nor does it define which drives will accept the media on the cartridge (a drive may accept a 3480 1/2" tape form factor cartridge, but one that contains 3490 tape media).

hard partition cartridge,
media,
soft partition This corresponds to a single piece of media contained by a cartridge. For cartridges such as a tape cartridge that contains one piece of recording media, with all recording surfaces accessible once the tape is loaded in a drive, the cartridge contains one hard partition. For a multi-sided cartridge, each side corresponds to a hard partition. Access to a hard partition requires the cartridge to be mounted on a drive in a particular orientation (i.e. for side A of optical disk, the cartridge must be positioned for mount wiht side A up).

import command, of AAPI export command
This is a MLM administrative command that logically introduces a cartridge to MLM, at which point the cartridge is under MLM control.

openport command, of ALI eject,
operator access door,
passthru port A physical opening in a library into which a cartridge may be physically inserted so that it is contained within the library.
The physical means to import a cartridge vary from library to library, but common themes are:

Small openable doors in the sides of the library with slots mounted on the inside of the door.
Rotating barrels with slots mounted on one side, topologically equivalent to doors.
Single slots that open on both the inside and the outside of the library.
A hand that can carry a single cartridge from the outside to the inside of the library.
Some libraries have distinct ports for inject and for eject, while some use the same port for both purposes. The door and barrel style is almost always a dual-use port. Some libraries lack ports for both inject and eject, in which case an operator would inject and eject cartridges using an exterior access door.

IRIS FailSafe

LCP See "Library Control Program."

library barcode reader,
bay,
blind library,
cartridge,
drive,
eject port,
inject port,
Library Control Program,
operator access door,
pass-through port,
protein robot,
shelf,
sighted library,
transfer agent,
vault A collection of cartridges under some form of management.
In addition to the cartridges that it manages, a library is typically thought to consist of:

a control interface
housing for the cartridges that it manages
one or more transfer agents to move cartridges within the library housing
a means for cartridges to be moved in and out of the library
zero or more drives
a possible means for human access to the inside of the library
Examples of libraries include a robotic library with a device control interface, one or more interconnecting bays with slots for cartridges and attached drives, one or more robot arms with pickers to move cartridges within the bays, import and eject ports to move cartridges in and out the library, pass-through ports to move cartridges between bays, and one or more exterior access doors to allow human access to the library. Another example of a library is a human operated vault with shelves for cartridges and a console for a control interface.
Each library that is under MLM management has an associated Library Control Program. The Library Control Program provides a generic abstraction of a library, which hides the internal geometry of a library.

Library Control Program Also called "LCP". This is the component of the MLM that interfaces directly to the library and implements the cartridge movement operations that the MLM Server requests.

media cartridge,
drive,
hard partition,
media access point,
media type,
soft partition This is a single recordable surface.

media access point cartridge,
drive,
media,
mount point A cartridge must be moved to and the media it contains engaged at a media access point before the media can be read/write accessed. This is the component that reads and writes the media contained by a cartridge. The media or media access point may physically restrict access to the media. For instance physical access to the media may be restricted to read only. The media access point may be connected by a shared network or a host channel to the DCP host. This connection represents the drive data path. Once media is engaged at the media access point, data may be copied between the media and the MLM Client Application via this connection.

Media Library Manager

media type

MLM See "Media Library Manager."

MLM-accessible control interface, to drive control path,
drive,
Drive Control Interface,
Drive Control Program A drive control interface is MLM-accessible if the MLM Server can access the control interface through a local DCP, or through a DCP on a remote host. MLM-managed drives may include both those with and without an MLM-accessible control interface. An example of a drive that may lack an MLM-accessible control interface is a video drive.

mode of access, of drive capability,
drive,
Drive Control Interface,
Drive Control Program This corresponds to a logical instance of a drive that correspond to a certain set of drive capabilities.

mount command, of ALI The ALI mount command allows the MLM Server to mount one or more cartridges.

mount command, of CAPI The CAPI mount command allows a Client Application to mount one or more volumes.

mount point cartridge,
data path,
drive,
media,
media access point This is the physical drive opening where a cartridge may be placed, often called the drive door. A cartridge must be present at the mount point before the cartridge may be moved to and the media it contains can be engaged at the media access point. When the media is disengaged from the media access point (and returned to its cartridge, as necessary), the cartridge may be returned to the mount point.

move command Abstract Library Interface,
cartridge,
slot

operator access door library This is a door on a robotic library that permits a human operator to access the inside of the library. Typically, this door has a sensor to indicate when it is open/closed as well as a safety interlock mechanism to protect human operators from injury.

pass-through port bay,
library This is a port that interconnects two bays of a robotic library.
In conjunction with a robotic arm, this is the means by which a robotic library moves cartridges between its bays. In this sense, the pass-through port may be considered to be part of the transfer agent of a library.

PCL See "physical cartridge label."

physical cartridge label barcode A physical cartridge identifier, which is typically located on the endcap of a cartridge. This identifier is unqiue within a single MLM.
An physical cartridge label has a human-readable representation, such as a Volume Serial Number. For robotic libraries, typically the physical cartridge label has a machine-readable representation, such as a barcode.
The physical cartridge label is used by MLM and ALI to refer to the particular cartridge that the MLM server would like the LCP to operate on.

protein robot A human operator. Someone that responds to a directive of the form "go to the vault, get the tape" by actually going to the vault and returning with the tape. A tongue-in-cheek reference to glass-house computing centers and buildings full of 9-track tapes and graduate students.

set, operation of attribute command attribute command,
unset This mode of the attribute command either changes the value of a named attribute that is already associated with an object, or associates a new named attribute name/value pair with an object.

show command attribute,
attribute command The show command appers in CAPI, ALI and ADI. It is used to retrieve attribute values.
A question can be asked about a particular object via the show command. If the attribute name is a predefined name, for example used slots, and the object is a system defined object, for example a holder, then a question about the physical state of that object can be asked, for example holder contains 20 used slots.

sighted library blind library,
physical cartridge label,
verification A library that can read a physical cartridge label is called sighted and one that cannot read physical cartridge labels is called blind.
The MLM Server has to treat the two types of libraries differently as a blind library has no way to name a cartridge other that it's slot number, which is not normally visible to the MLM Server.

slot A location in a library that can hold a single cartridge.

slotmap database,
physical cartridge label,
slot A persistent table associated with a single library, that for each cartridge contained by that library, maps the physical cartridge label to slot within the library.
The table is used to translate when ALI provides a physical cartridge label and asks to move the cartridge somewhere. The LCP needs to know exactly where the cartridge is within the library so that it can tell the robot arm where to go to get it.

soft partition cartridge,
hard partition,
media,
media access point This is a region on the recording surface of a piece of media that has a physical beginning and ending that can be accessed by a drive. Typically, each piece of media has a single soft partition, which spans the entire recordable surface of the media. However, there are drives that support paritioning of this recordable surface, such as DDS2 and D2 tape, such that a single piece of media may contain multiple soft partitions.

source, of move command Abstract Library Interface,
cartridge,
destination,
move command This is the address of a slot within the library. It is the slot address that is given as the source of the move command, at which is located the cartridge to be moved.
source, of move command

transfer agent, of library move command,
library This is the physical means by which cartridges are moved within a library. Examples of a transfer agent include:

a protein robot
a robotic arm that can move on multiple axes
a rotating carousel that aligns a slot with drive and has mechanism to slide cartridge between the slot and the drive
an elevator that aligns a drive with a slot and has a mechanism to slide a cartridge between the slot and the drive
multiple robotic arms in multiple adjoining library bays that can exchange cartridges between them using pass-through ports
one or more robotic arms that work in concert with multiple rotating carousels

unmount command

unset, operation of attribute command attribute command,
set This mode of the attribute command disassociates an attribute name/value pair from an object.

user authentication

vault Also called "rack" or "shelf." This is the library housing for cartridges that are not in a robotic library. For small scale library operations, this may be a shelf in someone's office. For large scale library operations, this may be one or more rooms filled with shelfs for storing cartridges.

verification, of physical cartdrige label blind library,
physical cartridge label,
sighted library,
barcode,
barcode reader This is the process by which a sighted library reads either a machine or human readable representation of a physical cartridge label and translates it as necessary to compare it to a stored version of the label. In a "protein robot", verification may be done by a human operator who reads and then enters the physical cartridge label. An operator may inspect a human- readable representation of the label and then type it in, or may use a hand-held barcode reader to scan it in. In a robotic library, verification is typically done by a barcode reader mounted on the robot arm.
Verification is not possible in a blind library.

volume media,
hard partion,
soft partition This is a CAPI abstraction used by MLM Client Applications. The underlying implementation of a volume is a hard or soft media partition.

Term, Usage	Related Terms	Definition
AAPI		See "Administrative Application Progammer Interface."
Abstract Drive Interface	DCP, drive	Also called "ADI." This is a device independent language that allows the MLM server to control any type of removable media drive.
Abstract Library Interface	ALI interpreter, Library Control Program	Also called "ALI." This is a language defined so as to allow the MLM Server to control any library without building library-specific commands or features into the MLM Server. A library-specific program called a Library Control Program interprets the ALI and interacts with the library in order to perform the operation that the ALI calls for.
Administrative Application Program Interface		Also called "AAPI."
ALI		See "Abstract Library Interface."
attribute command	attribute, show command	The attribute command appears in CAPI, ALI and ADI. It is a generic command used to set/unset attributes of an object. Setting an attribute either associates a new name/value pair with an object, or changes the attribute value if the attribute has already been associated with the object. Unsetting an attribute disassociates a name/value pair from an object. An application can associate application-specific information with an MLM managed object, such as a cartridge, via the attribute command.
attribute, of an object	attribute command, show command	An attribute is a name/value pair that is associated with an object. Attributes are used generically in MLM, both as a means to associate information with objects and as a way to ask for specific information about an object. An attribute may be defined either by MLM as a predefined object attribute, or by an application as an application-specific attribute. In addition to a name and value, an attribute has associated with it a data type and access control to determine who can read and write its value.
barcode	barcode reader, physical cartridge label	A barcode is a machine-readable representation of a physical cartridge label. Typically, robotic libraries use barcode to identify cartridges. These robots use a barcode reader to translate from a machine-readable into a human-readable representation, such as a Volume Serial Number.
barcode reader	barcode	A laser-optical reader that scans a barcode and then uses logic to translate from a scanned barcode to a human-readable representation, such as a Volume Serial Number.
bay, of library	library, pass-through port	Some libraries are composed of subunits that could function as libraries in their own right, but that have been connected together via pass-through ports so that cartridges can be moved between them. Each subunit is called a bay.
blind library	physical cartridge label, sighted library, verification	A library that can read a physical cartridge label is called sighted and one that cannot read physical cartridge labels is called blind. The MLM Server has to treat the two types of libraries differently as a blind library has no way to name a cartridge other that it's slot number, which is not normally visible to the MLM Server.
capability, of drive	Abstract Drive Interface, drive, Drive Control Program, mode of access	This is a feature of an abstract drive that may be set through ADI. A certain combination of capabilities represents a mode of access. Capabilities permit DCP to hide from the MLM Server the underlying control and access methods to the drive.
CAPI		See "Client Application Program Interface."
cartridge	form factor, library, Library Control Program, media, physical cartridge label	A cartridge is the unit of physical operation and management within a library. A cartridge contains one or more pieces of media, and has a certain form factor. The most common forms of cartridge are for magnetic tape and laser- and magneto- optical disk.
cartridge name
cartridge type	form factor, media type	This is the cartridge form factor plus the media type.
Client Application	Client Application Programmer Interface	Also called "MLM Client." This is the "user" of MLM services. The client is an application program that is known it MLM.
Client Application Program Interface		Also called "CAPI."
control path, of drive	drive, data path	This is a control interface to the drive that is accessible by the DCP, and possibly by MLM Client Applications on the DCP host. Typically, a drive is connected to a host by a local channel or shared network connection between. This connection represents the control path to the drive. While every MLM-managed drive has some form of control interface, a drive is not MLM-accessible unless it has a control path.
data path, of drive	control path, drive	This is a connection between the DCP host and the drive media access point that may be accessible by the DCP and MLM Client Applications on the DCP host. A drive media access point may lack a data path. An example of a media access point that lacks a host connection and to which applications do not have access is a set of RGB lines that attach a video drive to a display device. For drives with a data path, DCP may require access to the drive data path, for example to identify a soft partition.
destination, of move command	Abstract Library Interface, cartridge, move command, source	This is the address of a slot within the library. It is the move destination for the cartridge located at the slot address that is given as the source of the move command.
DCP		See "Drive Control Program."
drive	control path, data path, Drive Control Program, drive name, drive type, form factor, Library Control Program, media, media access point, media type, mount command, mount point, unmount command	From an application and DCP point of view, this is the mechanism used to access the bits on the media contained by a cartridge. From an LCP point of view, a drive is a named object and the target of mount and unmount commands. The most common form of drive is the tape drive, but other forms include a CDROM drive and a Magneto-Optical Rewritable Disc drive. Each drive has a name that is unique within the control of the MLM Server. That name is the general means by which all MLM components refer to the drive. It is used by the MLM Server to discover the LCP to DCP relationships to that drive, including whether a drive is attached to multiple hosts. Each drive has a certain type that is defined by the form factor of the cartridges it will accept as well as the media format. A drive must have an associated DCP and LCP before MLM may select it for mount and unmount commands.
Drive Control Program	ADI, drive	Also called "DCP."
drive name	drive	This is the name used throughout MLM (by all of the MLM components) to identify a particular drive.
drive type		See "cartridge type."
eject command	Abstract Library Interface, eject port, inject command, inject port
eject port	eject command, inject port, library, operator access door, port name, port type	A physical opening in a library from which a cartridge contained by that library may be removed by a human operator. The physical means to eject a cartridge vary from library to library, but common themes are: Small openable doors in the sides of the library with slots mounted on the inside of the door. Rotating barrels with slots mounted on one side, topologically equivalent to doors. Single slots that open on both the inside and the outside of the library. A hand that can carry a single cartridge from the inside to the outside of the library. Some libraries have distinct ports for inject and for eject, while some use the same port for both purposes. The door and barrel style is almost always a dual-use port. Some libraries lack ports for both inject and eject, in which case an operator would inject and eject cartridges using an exterior access door.
export command, of AAPI	Administrative Application Programmer Interface, import command	This is a MLM administrative command that logically releases a cartridge from MLM control.
form factor, of cartridge	cartridge type	The canonical name given to the physical shape and dimensions of the cartridge shell that surrounds the media. Example form factors include 3480 1/2" tape, DLT 1/2" tape, 8mm tape, and 4mm tape. This defines what shape of slot the cartridge can fit into and possibly which gripper must be used to move the cartridge. It does not define the recording technology or format used to write bits on the media in the cartridge, nor does it define which drives will accept the media on the cartridge (a drive may accept a 3480 1/2" tape form factor cartridge, but one that contains 3490 tape media).
hard partition	cartridge, media, soft partition	This corresponds to a single piece of media contained by a cartridge. For cartridges such as a tape cartridge that contains one piece of recording media, with all recording surfaces accessible once the tape is loaded in a drive, the cartridge contains one hard partition. For a multi-sided cartridge, each side corresponds to a hard partition. Access to a hard partition requires the cartridge to be mounted on a drive in a particular orientation (i.e. for side A of optical disk, the cartridge must be positioned for mount wiht side A up).
import command, of AAPI	export command	This is a MLM administrative command that logically introduces a cartridge to MLM, at which point the cartridge is under MLM control.
openport command, of ALI	eject, operator access door, passthru port	A physical opening in a library into which a cartridge may be physically inserted so that it is contained within the library. The physical means to import a cartridge vary from library to library, but common themes are: Small openable doors in the sides of the library with slots mounted on the inside of the door. Rotating barrels with slots mounted on one side, topologically equivalent to doors. Single slots that open on both the inside and the outside of the library. A hand that can carry a single cartridge from the outside to the inside of the library. Some libraries have distinct ports for inject and for eject, while some use the same port for both purposes. The door and barrel style is almost always a dual-use port. Some libraries lack ports for both inject and eject, in which case an operator would inject and eject cartridges using an exterior access door.
IRIS FailSafe
LCP		See "Library Control Program."
library	barcode reader, bay, blind library, cartridge, drive, eject port, inject port, Library Control Program, operator access door, pass-through port, protein robot, shelf, sighted library, transfer agent, vault	A collection of cartridges under some form of management. In addition to the cartridges that it manages, a library is typically thought to consist of: a control interface housing for the cartridges that it manages one or more transfer agents to move cartridges within the library housing a means for cartridges to be moved in and out of the library zero or more drives a possible means for human access to the inside of the library Examples of libraries include a robotic library with a device control interface, one or more interconnecting bays with slots for cartridges and attached drives, one or more robot arms with pickers to move cartridges within the bays, import and eject ports to move cartridges in and out the library, pass-through ports to move cartridges between bays, and one or more exterior access doors to allow human access to the library. Another example of a library is a human operated vault with shelves for cartridges and a console for a control interface. Each library that is under MLM management has an associated Library Control Program. The Library Control Program provides a generic abstraction of a library, which hides the internal geometry of a library.
Library Control Program		Also called "LCP". This is the component of the MLM that interfaces directly to the library and implements the cartridge movement operations that the MLM Server requests.
media	cartridge, drive, hard partition, media access point, media type, soft partition	This is a single recordable surface.
media access point	cartridge, drive, media, mount point	A cartridge must be moved to and the media it contains engaged at a media access point before the media can be read/write accessed. This is the component that reads and writes the media contained by a cartridge. The media or media access point may physically restrict access to the media. For instance physical access to the media may be restricted to read only. The media access point may be connected by a shared network or a host channel to the DCP host. This connection represents the drive data path. Once media is engaged at the media access point, data may be copied between the media and the MLM Client Application via this connection.
Media Library Manager
media type
MLM		See "Media Library Manager."
MLM-accessible control interface, to drive	control path, drive, Drive Control Interface, Drive Control Program	A drive control interface is MLM-accessible if the MLM Server can access the control interface through a local DCP, or through a DCP on a remote host. MLM-managed drives may include both those with and without an MLM-accessible control interface. An example of a drive that may lack an MLM-accessible control interface is a video drive.
mode of access, of drive	capability, drive, Drive Control Interface, Drive Control Program	This corresponds to a logical instance of a drive that correspond to a certain set of drive capabilities.
mount command, of ALI		The ALI mount command allows the MLM Server to mount one or more cartridges.
mount command, of CAPI		The CAPI mount command allows a Client Application to mount one or more volumes.
mount point	cartridge, data path, drive, media, media access point	This is the physical drive opening where a cartridge may be placed, often called the drive door. A cartridge must be present at the mount point before the cartridge may be moved to and the media it contains can be engaged at the media access point. When the media is disengaged from the media access point (and returned to its cartridge, as necessary), the cartridge may be returned to the mount point.
move command	Abstract Library Interface, cartridge, slot
operator access door	library	This is a door on a robotic library that permits a human operator to access the inside of the library. Typically, this door has a sensor to indicate when it is open/closed as well as a safety interlock mechanism to protect human operators from injury.
pass-through port	bay, library	This is a port that interconnects two bays of a robotic library. In conjunction with a robotic arm, this is the means by which a robotic library moves cartridges between its bays. In this sense, the pass-through port may be considered to be part of the transfer agent of a library.
PCL		See "physical cartridge label."
physical cartridge label	barcode	A physical cartridge identifier, which is typically located on the endcap of a cartridge. This identifier is unqiue within a single MLM. An physical cartridge label has a human-readable representation, such as a Volume Serial Number. For robotic libraries, typically the physical cartridge label has a machine-readable representation, such as a barcode. The physical cartridge label is used by MLM and ALI to refer to the particular cartridge that the MLM server would like the LCP to operate on.
protein robot		A human operator. Someone that responds to a directive of the form "go to the vault, get the tape" by actually going to the vault and returning with the tape. A tongue-in-cheek reference to glass-house computing centers and buildings full of 9-track tapes and graduate students.
set, operation of attribute command	attribute command, unset	This mode of the attribute command either changes the value of a named attribute that is already associated with an object, or associates a new named attribute name/value pair with an object.
show command	attribute, attribute command	The show command appers in CAPI, ALI and ADI. It is used to retrieve attribute values. A question can be asked about a particular object via the show command. If the attribute name is a predefined name, for example used slots, and the object is a system defined object, for example a holder, then a question about the physical state of that object can be asked, for example holder contains 20 used slots.
sighted library	blind library, physical cartridge label, verification	A library that can read a physical cartridge label is called sighted and one that cannot read physical cartridge labels is called blind. The MLM Server has to treat the two types of libraries differently as a blind library has no way to name a cartridge other that it's slot number, which is not normally visible to the MLM Server.
slot		A location in a library that can hold a single cartridge.
slotmap	database, physical cartridge label, slot	A persistent table associated with a single library, that for each cartridge contained by that library, maps the physical cartridge label to slot within the library. The table is used to translate when ALI provides a physical cartridge label and asks to move the cartridge somewhere. The LCP needs to know exactly where the cartridge is within the library so that it can tell the robot arm where to go to get it.
soft partition	cartridge, hard partition, media, media access point	This is a region on the recording surface of a piece of media that has a physical beginning and ending that can be accessed by a drive. Typically, each piece of media has a single soft partition, which spans the entire recordable surface of the media. However, there are drives that support paritioning of this recordable surface, such as DDS2 and D2 tape, such that a single piece of media may contain multiple soft partitions.
source, of move command	Abstract Library Interface, cartridge, destination, move command	This is the address of a slot within the library. It is the slot address that is given as the source of the move command, at which is located the cartridge to be moved.
source, of move command
transfer agent, of library	move command, library	This is the physical means by which cartridges are moved within a library. Examples of a transfer agent include: a protein robot a robotic arm that can move on multiple axes a rotating carousel that aligns a slot with drive and has mechanism to slide cartridge between the slot and the drive an elevator that aligns a drive with a slot and has a mechanism to slide a cartridge between the slot and the drive multiple robotic arms in multiple adjoining library bays that can exchange cartridges between them using pass-through ports one or more robotic arms that work in concert with multiple rotating carousels
unmount command
unset, operation of attribute command	attribute command, set	This mode of the attribute command disassociates an attribute name/value pair from an object.
user authentication
vault		Also called "rack" or "shelf." This is the library housing for cartridges that are not in a robotic library. For small scale library operations, this may be a shelf in someone's office. For large scale library operations, this may be one or more rooms filled with shelfs for storing cartridges.
verification, of physical cartdrige label	blind library, physical cartridge label, sighted library, barcode, barcode reader	This is the process by which a sighted library reads either a machine or human readable representation of a physical cartridge label and translates it as necessary to compare it to a stored version of the label. In a "protein robot", verification may be done by a human operator who reads and then enters the physical cartridge label. An operator may inspect a human- readable representation of the label and then type it in, or may use a hand-held barcode reader to scan it in. In a robotic library, verification is typically done by a barcode reader mounted on the robot arm. Verification is not possible in a blind library.
volume	media, hard partion, soft partition	This is a CAPI abstraction used by MLM Client Applications. The underlying implementation of a volume is a hard or soft media partition.

Silicon Graphics OpenVault Glossary of Terms

Silicon Graphics
OpenVault
Glossary of Terms