Cimarron user experience

The author describes the implementation of a library storage module (LSM) of the 4400 Automatic Cartridge System manufactured by StorageTek (STK). Each of the five LSMs contains approximately 6000 cartridges (1/2-in, 18-track) with a robot performing cartridge mounts and dismounts. Multiple LSMs can be connected together in such a way that cartridges are passed between robots for improved optimization of cartridge transports. The current configuration has eight 4480 cartridge transports attached to each of the five LSMs for a total of forty transports. With five LSMs installed, the current storage capacity is very close to six terabytes (TB). A discussion is presented of the original decision-making process, the implementation planning process, the implementation of both the StorageTek 4480 transports and 4400 Automatic Cartridge System, and some critical observations from a heavy production user of this type of mass storage device.<>