I play around with SSIC again and find that you are right. The TR/TL level that is selected (and there can be multiple TR/TL levels shown for the same release of an OS) dictates what adapters are available for selection.
Original Message:
Sent: Fri May 24, 2024 07:26 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: SSIC, Power10, AIX, and LTO tape options
I disagree. There are higher levels which cut off support for certain hardware items. Doing it as you say would not cover such situations. No, it should allow you to select such a tape library, such a level of AIX and see what adapters etc will work for that combination.
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Robert Berendt IBMChampion
Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 23, 2024 09:57 PM
From: Satid S
Subject: SSIC, Power10, AIX, and LTO tape options
Dear Robert
>>>> One big issue is that once you select "IBM Storage LTO Ultrium tape" you cannot select "Operating System=IBM AIX 7.3 TL2". Only TL1. Perhaps that is the bug? <<<<
I see this differently. TL1 entry in the list may serve as the "lowest level" for support in AIX 7.3 which implies that TL2 and later levels should also support. My guess is that there is no point to include TL2 and later in the drop down list because of such an implication.
Just my 2 cents.
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Satid S
Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 23, 2024 07:52 AM
From: Robert Berendt
Subject: SSIC, Power10, AIX, and LTO tape options
I agree with Satid. Start with the top left. One big issue is that once you select "IBM Storage LTO Ultrium tape" you cannot select "Operating System=IBM AIX 7.3 TL2". Only TL1. Perhaps that is the bug?
You may wish to communicate this on the "Global Storage Forum " community. Or see if the "SSIC Education and Help" has a report an issue link.
As a workaround try the TL1 version?
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Robert Berendt IBMChampion
Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 23, 2024 05:21 AM
From: Satid S
Subject: SSIC, Power10, AIX, and LTO tape options
Dear Carlo
After playing around with SSIC web page, I find out that you must first select "Storage Family" before proceeding with other fields - go top down in your selection from the web page.
But then I observe a bug here in that "Storage Family" drop down list does not show any Tape category for selection. Some more fooling around leads me to first select any "TSxxxx" product (make sure it is one supported by Power10 - select this and that a bit and you will get one like I do) from the drop down list of "Storage Version" before you can see Tape product available for selection in "Storage Family". Then, I guess you can select the fields you mentioned in your post - go in downwards direction seems to be the key point here.
A bug or bad code may be the cause making the user interface of SSIC not behaving nicely! Any SSIC webmaster here?
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Satid S
Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 22, 2024 11:57 AM
From: Carlo Castillo
Subject: SSIC, Power10, AIX, and LTO tape options
In SSIC (https://www.ibm.com/systems/support/storage/ssic/interoperability), I've selected "Host Platform=IBM Power Systems (p6 and newer)", and "Server Model=IBM POWER10 Servers", and "Operating System=IBM AIX 7.3 TL2". Now, when I select "Storage Family", no LTO tape options appear whatsoever. What should I make of this? Does a Power10-based system running AIX 7.3 TL2 not have any support for LTO at all?
How do we go about supporting LTO options (e.g., LTO 9) on Power10 machines?
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Carlo Castillo
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