Linux w/ HP SureStore 20xt MO Jukebox

TotalDefiance · 03-20-2006, 11:31 AM

http://i10.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/3d/38/41_1_b.JPG

I recently was given an old hp surestore 20xt magneto-optical jukebox. It contains 2x MO drives with eleven 2.9GB cartridges. I've verified the basic functionality of the jukebox (robotic arm), as one can do basic load/eject functions from the unit itself. It has a centronics connector so I had to buy a centronics-to-HD68 so I can see if this is going to work and have yet to get the cable

I havnt found much info on the unit, and even less concerning the jukebox in conjuction with a linux system. I assume I shouldn't have any problem seeing the MO drives as devices once I get the jukebox hooked up, however I dont know how I'm going to be able to control the robot arm to load/unload cartridges without the use of commercial backup software such as netbackup.

I currrently use a 35GB DLT external tape drive for backups, so I've had some experience using external backup mediums. Has anyone had any experience with the jukeboxes or could anyone provide some info once I get the jukebox hooked up? Thanks.

TotalDefiance · 03-20-2006, 11:44 AM

As a note, the item I've found which seems to show the most hope so far is http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...tem=co-38412-1

TotalDefiance · 03-23-2006, 05:10 PM

well, after researching a bit, I found the mtx utility for controlling robot mechanisms in libraries. I just installed the rpm for that and waited for my centronics-to-HD60 cable to arrive.

I'm happy to say that I had no issue seeing the 20xt under whitebox linux.

Code:

[root@host root]# scsiadd -s
Attached devices:
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 03 Lun: 00
  Vendor: HP       Model: C1537A           Rev: L907
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI SCSI revision: 02
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 00 Lun: 00
  Vendor: HP       Model: C1100F           Rev: 3.06
  Type:   Medium Changer                   ANSI SCSI revision: 02
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 01 Lun: 00
  Vendor: HP       Model: C1113F           Rev: 1.47
  Type:   Optical Device                   ANSI SCSI revision: 02
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 02 Lun: 00
  Vendor: HP       Model: C1113F           Rev: 1.47
  Type:   Optical Device                   ANSI SCSI revision: 02

As you can see, both MO drives are recognized, along with the medium changer and a DDS tape drive in the box. All devices are addressed /dev/sg0-/dev/sg3. With the tape as /dev/nst0, the MOD drives at /dev/sda and /dev/sdb. The medium changer /dev/sg1 is used directly with mtx with no issues thus far.

TotalDefiance · 03-23-2006, 05:10 PM

EDIT: moving this Q/post to Software where it should go.