There are already drivers for Linux that support the library. The original ones, "ibm_tape", were binary only, but they've been superceded by the "lin_tape" Open Source drivers. Those will probably find their way into the kernel tree sometime soon.
PAV support is also already there, via software support for multipath devices, same as used for multipath SAN. The biggest problem was that the multipath manager needs to be able to identify that two separate device nodes reference the same device, and up till recently, the DASD drivers didn't expose enough information to user space. This has been fixed with RHEL5, and I've successfully tested PAV with that. If the functionality is via a "kernel module", then Linus has indicated that binary (no source) kernel modules are acceptable. However they "taint" the kernel. Originally, the 3590 tape I/O driver was binary only. If IBM ever puts in a kernel module to drive their tape robots, I expect that code will be binary only. Similarly if IBM ever puts PAV support into the kernel, I expect it would be binary only. However, updating the filesystem driver to interface to the PAV module could not be binary since it would be updating GPL code. Purists will decry this, but it is acceptable at present. -------------------------------------------------------- This message w/attachments (message) may be privileged, confidential or proprietary, and if you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender, do not use or share it and delete it. Unless specifically indicated, this message is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of any investment products or other financial product or service, an official confirmation of any transaction, or an official statement of Merrill Lynch. Subject to applicable law, Merrill Lynch may monitor, review and retain e-communications (EC) traveling through its networks/systems. The laws of the country of each sender/recipient may impact the handling of EC, and EC may be archived, supervised and produced in countries other than the country in which you are located. This message cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free. This message is subject to terms available at the following link: http://www.ml.com/e-communications_terms/. By messaging with Merrill Lynch you consent to the foregoing. -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
