Dell NetWorker 19.9 Administration Guide

Silo libraries

This section describes silos and silo devices. Silos and libraries are managed similarly by NetWorker software.

A silo tape library (STL) is a peripheral that usually contains many storage devices.

Silos libraries have a robotic controller that moves tape media between slots and devices. Silos do not use a SCSI interface to access and control the media movements. Media movements are controlled by a separate host that is called the silo server. The silo server uses silo management software to manage media movement requests over the network. The silo vendor provides the silo management software. The silo server cannot be the same computer as the NetWorker server.

The silo can be shared among many applications, systems, and platforms. As with libraries, silos make data and media operations more automatic. Silos can load, change, and manage volumes, and clean the devices automatically.

NetWorker only supports silos that use the Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS) Manager software.