Hi, David. TS3500 libraries do not require ALMS for LTO encryption as long as there are no non-encryption-capable LTO drives mixed in. If you plan to do a phased migration in the same library from, for example, LTO3 to LTO4, then you will require ALMS as LTO3 are not encryption-capable.
I have seen libraries partitioned using ALMS for political reasons to keep certain tape media artificially segregated from other tape media. I have seen ALMS used to managed mixed drives in the library to enable encrypting only certain subsets of media. I seem to recall you can use ALMS to allow drive sharing between library partitions so that TSM servers can share drives without requiring a library manager. (I'd have to double-check that before committing to it.) My opinion is that ALMS allows more flexibility in configuring and growing your library environment no matter what backup software you plan to use. (Although TSM is hands-down the best. :-) ________________________________ Alex Paschal Storage Solutions Engineer MSI Systems Integrators (503) 943-6919 - Office ________________________________ Your Business. Better. -----Original Message----- From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ads...@vm.marist.edu] On Behalf Of David Longo Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 2:58 PM To: ADSM-L@VM.MARIST.EDU Subject: Re: [ADSM-L] ALMS benefit to shared-library management ? As I understand it, ALMS IS required if you implement Encryption for LTO4 tapes/drives on a 3584 library, is that true? David Longo >>> Paul Zarnowski <p...@cornell.edu> 8/17/2009 5:18 PM >>> We have a couple of 3584s with ALMS, and though we use TSM to share the library among 9 TSM instances, I still find the VIO features of the 3584 to be handy. Having up to 255 virtual I/O slots can be nice when adding tapes to the library. When switching from one generation of drives and media to another, it is nice to be able to flexibly shift slots from the older generation to the new one. Overall, the virtualization of the library is a very nice thing. Is is required? No, not at all. But it's nice! At 05:04 PM 8/17/2009, Keith Arbogast wrote: >Wanda, >Thank you, that was very helpful. > >Perhaps ALMS is intended primarily for non-TSM applications. It >sounds like logical libraries are superfluous if TSM control points >are used correctly. If I'm going too far with that, please let me know. > >Best wishes, >Keith Arbogast -- Paul Zarnowski Ph: 607-255-4757 Manager, Storage Services Fx: 607-255-8521 719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801 Em: p...@cornell.edu ##################################### This message is for the named person's use only. It may contain private, proprietary, or legally privileged information. No privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it, and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Health First reserves the right to monitor all e-mail communications through its networks. Any views or opinions expressed in this message are solely those of the individual sender, except (1) where the message states such views or opinions are on behalf of a particular entity; and (2) the sender is authorized by the entity to give such views or opinions. ##################################### This message (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is non-public, proprietary, privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law or may constitute as attorney work product. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, notify us immediately by telephone and (i) destroy this message if a facsimile or (ii) delete this message immediately if this is an electronic communication. Thank you.