NetWorker: Troubleshooting Tape Library Readiness Problems in NetWorker

Summary: This article assists NetWorker support and backup administrators in determining why a configured robot fails to enter a Ready state within NetWorker.

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Symptoms

  • Detected and configured library will does not enter Ready state for operations
  • The library is not available for backup operation
  • The library does not show as Ready in the NetWorker Management Console (NMC) Devices -> Libraries section.
  • Library operations all fail without attempt, returning various error messages
  • nsrjb: Jukebox <library_name>: (Not ready to accept commands)
  • 15776:nsrjb: No jukeboxes are currently usable.

Cause

If library configuration worked previously and suddenly encounters an issue, consider possible changes that may be impeding detection and configuration:

  • Robot, switch or adapter firmware, driver or configuration change
  • Change in host access to library (transport zoning, configuration, or firmware change)
  • Addition, replacement or removal of drives, tape cartridges or other library components
  • Change of NetWorker software version, Operating System patches
  • Any hardware event such as power loss or reboot of any component in the data path
  • Discrepancies between NetWorker configuration and library (for example, tape cartridges moved outside of NetWorker's control)

If the library has never worked - confirm that the hardware is supported in the NetWorker Hardware Compatibility Guide (Requires Dell Support Account Sign-In). Remember that it is possible for a library to be partially functional; discovery alone does not guarantee usability or supportability.

Resolution

NOTE: Dell employees must review this article while signed in to the support site in order to see internal notes.

To diagnose library Ready‑state issues, first consider any recent changes. Next, isolate each component of the process and test it independently.

NOTE: Most of the required data is collected by NSRGet when run with the -o:d switch. The items which are not are restricted to those operations which might be considered to be dangerous if attempted manually.
CATUION: Some of these commands may cause SCSI resets which can cause tape devices to rewind. DO NOT use if there are any tapes actively accessible to the host.

For more information about NSRGET, see: NetWorker: How to Use the NSRGet NetWorker Data Collection Tool

Library Ready: Communications:

  • Detection: Ensure that the host can still see and communicate with the robot; if there has been a connectivity change of any kind, or power cycle of anything in the datapath, confirm detection:
  • Access: Ensure that the robot is responsive by testing a battery of commands as per the following article:
  • Data collection: As noted, nsrget -o:d can collect most of the data required to verify library responsiveness up to this stage.

Library Ready: Initialization:

When NetWorker accesses a configured library, there are several common and distinct steps that must be completed. Failing at any of these steps may cause NetWorker to refuse to move the library into Ready state.
  • Element Initialization: This is a library-level activity which allows the robot to prepare its elements and confirm the location of tape cartridges before coming online for SCSI client access. Simulate with the command:
ielem -a <changer address>

If this command fails - it may signal a deeper robot-level problem which requires vendor support. You can work around the issue by disabling the INIT command through Jukebox Features, but this reduces the overall capability:
no_init_elem_sts
no_start_init_elem_sts

Library Ready: NetWorker Configuration:

There are several configuration properties which may affect the library becoming ready at a logical level:

  • NSR Jukebox: Control Port value. This is set during normal library configuration, but if the handle is changed, invalidating the setting, then the library fails to start since the address to communicate with it is wrong. To correct:
    • Disable the library resource in NetWorker
    • Determine the new library address (inquire -s)
    • Use the nsradmin utility to update the control port field
    • Reenable the library and test
  • NSR Jukebox: Jukebox Features value. This value is also automatically set during configuration, and some of the options may be enabled or disabled, depending on need and specific knowledge of the library model itself. The most common reason to change it is described above.
  • NSR Jukebox: Loaded volumes/volumes. On startup, in some modes, if the nsrjb -C output does not match the output of sjirdtag <changer address> in terms of what tape cartridges reside in what elements, the library may fail to become ready. To correct, use sjimm commands to move volumes into the elements that NetWorker expects.
  • NSR Jukebox: Available slots. If the number of slots the robot reports does not match the configured value in the NSR Jukebox resource, the library may not become ready.
  • NSR Jukebox: Hardware ID/Existing drive IDs. If the serial number for either robot or drives changes, or is misreported, the library may not be put into ready state.

Library Ready: Other hardware and environment issues

The following prevents the library reaching a Ready state in NetWorker:

  • Library robot door is open (NetWorker library resource should always be disabled before doing this)
  • Serial number, slot count, or other property changes to the library
  • Other host or process locking the robot resource from nsrlcpd process accessing it
  • Tape cartridge stuck in drive, slot, or robotic hand
  • Other transient hardware issue which may prevent robot responsiveness

Library Ready: Debugging

  • Set the debug variables in the System Environment (Windows) or the /nsr/nsrrc startup script (Linux) in order to get richer debugging data:

SJI_DEBUG=9
LUS_DEBUG=9
CDI_DEBUG=9
SCSI_DEBUG=9
JBDEBUG=9

  • Disable the library in NetWorker, change debug trace level to 5, and reenable for logging
  • Optionally, and depending on the Operating System, you may be able to collect traces and forced dumps for the library during its startup phase


If none of the above suggestions help, engage support as appropriate from your Library vendor if the evidence collected from the debug suggests any internal anomalies.

Additional Information

Affected Products

NetWorker

Products

NetWorker Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000069205
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 23 Jan 2026
Version:  4
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