Data Domain: DEFINE PATH Failure when Using Data Domain VTL TS4500

Summary: IBM Storage Protect fails to configure the TS4500 library with IBM Storage Protect on AIX. A new System Parameter was introduced in DDOS to fix the issue.

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Symptoms

The following error may occur as part of the DEFINE PATH process when using DD VTL TS4500 library with IBM Storage Protect (formerly IBM Spectrum Protect-TSM) on AIX: 
SERVER1>define path server1 <LibraryName> srctype=server desttype=library online=yes device=/dev/smc0 

Return code 15.
  Error seen in Application logs: 
ANR8840E Unable to open device /dev/smc0 with error number 5 and PVRRC 2831.

Cause

As part of the DEFINE PATH process, IBM Storage Protect expects the First Storage Element Address in response to SCSI INQUIRY page 0x80 (bytes 16-19) and SCSI INQUIRY page 0x83 (bytes 44-47). In current implementation, DD VTL does not provide this information in the response to SCSI INQUIRY page 0x80 and 0x83 for TS4500 library, which is causing configuration failure while running DEFINE PATH.

Resolution

The response for SCSI INQUIRY page 0x80 and 0x83 has been updated in DD VTL to have the required value of First Storage Element Address as defined in SCSI Spec for TS4500 library. This behavior is controlled using a new system parameter VTL_IBM_CHANGERS_INQ_FIX. The value of this system parameter should be set to TRUE to make the change effective. The default value is FALSE.  

This parameter is available in DDOS 7.10.1.60 and above, 7.13.1.30 and above and 8.0.x.x and above.

Contact Dell Support to enable the system parameter, since BASH access is required.

Additional Information

The current value of the parameter can be confirmed in admin mode. If the parameter is not set, the expected output is as follows: 
# reg show system.VTL_IBM_CHANGERS_INQ_FIX

Nothing matched "system.VTL_IBM_CHANGERS_INQ_FIX".

After enabling the parameter, you can proceed with the Spectrum Protect configuration and run DEFINE PATH. If you already configured devices on AIX before enabling the system parameter on DD, after enabling the parameter run the following steps on AIX:

  1. Reboot the host
  2. Rescan VTL devices
  3. Proceed with the Spectrum Protect configuration and run DEFINE PATH

Affected Products

Data Domain Virtual Tape Library

Products

Data Domain
Article Properties
Article Number: 000321683
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 04 Jul 2025
Version:  2
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