About Removable Media

If you want the archiving file systems on the current server to be archived to removable media devices, you must have at least one available removable media device, either an automated library with multiple drives or a stand-alone tape drive. For information about guidelines for archiving to a library, see About Archiving, Releasing, and Staging.

An automated library can be attached directly to a server through a small computer system interface (SCSI) cable or Fibre Channel, or it can be attached through the network. Devices from vendors such as Sony, Fujitsu, and IBM that attach to the network require third-party software tools.

One or more library catalogs are associated with each automated library. The library catalog tracks the movement of removable media devices within the library. For libraries that are directly attached, a record of the volumes in the library is maintained. There is one catalog for each automated library, and there is one Historian for all automated libraries at a site. All media recorded in a library catalog must be of the same media type, such as IBM 3570 or SONY AIT.

Archive media devices that you intend to use must be attached to and recognized by the current server. For more information, see the Sun Storage Archive Manager Installation and Upgrade Guide.