Magnetic Tape Services

This document describes policy & how to request tape services from RUCS/NBCS.

• Overview
• Tape Service Policy
  • Tape/Data Information
  • External Tape identifier(s) (Labels)
  • Reading Tapes
  • Writing Tapes
  • Tape Storage
  • Tape Retrieval
  • Tape Cleaning
  • Supported Media Types
  • New Tape Purchases
  • Service Turnaround Time
  • Disclaimer
  • Definition of terms
• What Type of Media Should I Use?
• Where Can I Buy Media?
• What Tape Format Should I Use?
• Requesting Tape Services
• Tape Services Turnaround
• Removing Tape Sets

Overview

In order to facilitate the import/export of large amounts of data to/from magnetic tape on the RCI system, Rutgers University Computing Services is pleased to offer magnetic tape services to faculty and staff on the RCI cluster.

This service is intended to aid those faculty and staff members of the university who need to transfer data that is too large or sensitive to be sent via the Internet.

Tape Service Policy

The following policy defines the guidelines that will be followed by Rutgers University staff in an effort to better serve the needs of the University community.

Tape/Data Information

The following information is required of all tapes for processing. We suggest you request this information from the issuing agency of the tape. WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION, YOUR REQUEST FOR SERVICE WILL BE DENIED.

• Tape set name (up to twelve characters in length)
  
• Tape label format
  • IBM standard label
  • IBM non-label
  • ANSI standard label
  • Non-label
  
  
• Data format
  • EBCDIC
  • ASCII
  
  
• DCB information for each file. Specifically; record format (see below for supported formats), block size(s) and if applicable, lrecl(s)
  • f - fixed length records
  • fb - fixed length, blocked records
  • v - variable length records
  • vb - variable length, blocked records
  • vs - variable length, spanned records
  • vbs - variable length, blocked, spanned records
  • u - unformatted data

External Tape Identifier(s) (Labels)

Tape volumes submitted must be labeled with the users name & department; a valid RCI username; volume sequence number (ie. 1 of 2, 2 of 2) and the internal volume serial number (VSN/VOLSER) if applicable.

Reading Tapes

Files read from tape will be placed in a subdirectory in the owners scratch directory on RCI unless otherwise specified on the request form. The subdirectory name will correspond to that of the tape set name specified on the Tape Service Request form provided that such a directory does not already exist. If the directory already exists, the owner will be contacted for an alternate target directory.

Tapes will be read using the data attributes specified by the owner on the tape service request form. Should this information prove to be inaccurate, the owner will be contacted for the correct information. If the information cannot be provided, the tape or tape set will be returned to the owner.

Rutgers University Computing Services will not be responsible as a result of this action for any conflicts or violations in regard to any licensing or data security agreements entered into by the tape owner with the issuing agency. Once the data has been copied, The new copy becomes the property of the target directories owner.

Writing Tapes

Users will need to supply their own scratch media for each write request. Before doing so, we suggest you check with whomever the data is being sent to ensure their computing center supports the media type & data attributes you select to write the tape. Refer to Supported Media Types for information regarding media types currently supported by RUCS/NBCS.

If an existing tape or tape set is to be overwritten with new data, the tape owner must make this request in writing. This is done by specifying overwrite as the request type on the Tape Service Request form.

Tape Storage

Operations will store tape sets in a environmentally controlled facility for a period of up to five years. After such time, operations will make every reasonable attempt to contact the owner to retrieve their tapes. In the event we are unable to contact the owner, their tape(s) and/or tape set(s) will be destroyed using whatever method deemed reasonable for rendering data on the media useless.

Tape Retrieval

Tape owners may retrieve tapes by filling out a Tape Removal form. We require that the signature on the retrieval form match that of the original registration form. Tapes will not be returned to anyone other than their owner without first receiving written permission.

Tape Cleaning

Operations will clean tapes at the request of a tape owner. The request must be in a form of a written letter or via EMAIL from the owners account. This generally will not be required unless the Operations staff have problems reading a tape or tape set. If the problem is believed to be that of dirty media, operations will contact the owner for permission to clean the tape.

Supported Media Types

The following types of media are currently supported. If you have a need for a media type not listed here, please contact operations at operator@rci.rutgers.edu with a detailed description of what it is you need and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

New Tape Purchases

New Brunswick Computing Services will keep a limited stock of "preferred" media types and have these available for purchase via a Rutgers Internal Purchase Order. Users can contact Operations for more information on those media types available for purchase from RUCS/NBCS.

Service Turnaround Time

We anticipate a four to five day turnaround time for tape service requests. This we believe that this will be a worse case for most users.

Disclaimer

RUCS/NBCS will not be held responsible for damaged tapes or lost data as the result of tape cleaning; tape drive malfunction; the storage of tapes within the tape library or operator error. RUCS/NBCS will however make every attempt to recover as much data as possible and replace damaged media.

Definition of terms

• DLT - Digital Linear tape. A high speed, high capacity magnetic media.
  
• Tape set - A collection of tape volumes. See volumeset.
  
• VOLSER - Volume Serial. Refers to the internal tape label associated with all IBM and ANSI standard label tape.
  
• Volume sequence number - Refers to the physical order of tapes within a multi-volume tape set.
  
• Volumeset - Refers to a logical tape volume made up of one or more physical tape volumes.
  
• VSN - Volume Serial Number. See VOLSER.

What Type of Media should I use?

There are a number of variables one needs to take into account when choosing a media type. Probably the most important of which is choosing a media type that both computer centers support.

The best place to start is with the local computing center. Find out what types of media are being supported. Once you know and understand this information, contact the agency supplying the data and find out what media types they support. You should now be able to make an informed decision of what media type best fits your needs.

Note, There are trade-off's with different media types. The main trade-off being transfer speed/capacity vs. cost. Another might be the durability of the media (especially if you plan on keeping the data around for a long time). It's best to check with the media manufacturers (most of whom have this information available on the web) for this type of information.

For a list of media types currently supported on the RCI cluster, please refer to Supported Media Types.

Where Can I Buy Media?

Just pick up any of your favorite trade magazines or catalogs and chances are you'll find some vendor trying to sell you their media. If you prefer, RUCS/NBCS will have on hand selected media types available for sale by way of a Rutgers internal purchase order. Please contact operator@rci.rutgers.edu for more information regarding pricing and procedures for purchasing media from RUCS/NBCS.

What Tape Format Should I Use?

Selecting a tape format ultimately depends on what tape formats are supported at the remote site. When possible, it's our recommendation to use one of the standard label types (IBM or ANSI). The reason for this is that all the information needed to read the tape is self-contained within the labels placed on the tape when written. For more information on tape formats please see tape formats.

Requesting Tape Services

Requesting tape service is as simple as printing a Tape Service Request form and filling it out. If you need help with filling out the form, please see form instructions. Once the form has been filled out, simply take it and your tapes at the I/O counter located in the basement of Hill Center. Please be sure your tapes are properly labeled to avoid delays in processing your request. See External Tape Identifier(s) (Labels) for more information.

Tape Services Turnaround

We expect to satisfy tape service requests within 3 to 5 business days. This we believe will be a worse case for most users barring any unforeseen circumstances such as hardware or media malfunctions/failure.

Removing Tape Sets

To remove tapes or tape sets from the RUCS/NBCS tape library, users must print and fill out a Tape Removal form. The completed form is then submitted to an operator at the I/O counter located in the basement of Hill Center. At this time, the requested tape or tape sets will be returned to the owner.

Please note: We insist that signatures on removal forms must match that of the original tape service request form. Tape sets will not be returned to those which signatures do not match.