## Library inventory time 

During normal use of the TS3500 tape library for bulk loading of cartridges, the library performs an inventory operation to check the (possibly new) content of the cartridge storage slots. During this time, the accessor is occupied by scanning the bar code labels and empty slots. The inventory process for the TS3500 tape library is performed efficiently, usually taking fewer than 60 seconds per frame. For more information about inventory performance, see “Performing an inventory” on page 363. 

## 13.5 Upgrades and optional features 

The TS3500 tape library has a number of optional features. These features enhance the library by providing extra functions, more capacity, higher reliability, and greater serviceability. 

For more information about available features, see IBM Knowledge Center for the IBM TS3500 tape library: 

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/STCMML8/com.ibm.storage.ts3500.doc/ ts3500_ichome.html 

## 13.6 Advanced Library Management System 

The Advanced Library Management System (ALMS) provides enhanced flexibility and capabilities for partitioning the TS3500 tape library. ALMS virtualizes the SCSI element addresses while maintaining the approach of the multipath architecture and the use of SCSI-3 Medium Changer commands. Without ALMS, everything is based on the SCSI element address (location-centric), and partitioning is based on real cartridge slots and drive slots. 

With ALMS, there is no affinity between a real slot address and a SCSI element address that is reported to the server and used by the server. Instead, there is now an affinity with the VOLSER (on the bar code label of the cartridge). 

ALMS eliminates downtime when Capacity-on-Demand storage is added, logical libraries are added or removed, or logical library storage allocation is altered. ALMS also reduces downtime when expansion frames are added, tape drives are added or removed, or logical drive allocation is changed. 

ALMS offers the following capabilities on the TS3500 tape library: 

GLYPH<SM590000> Dynamic partitioning: 

– Storage slot pooling 

– Flexible drive assignment 

GLYPH<SM590000> Add and remove physical storage capacity that is not apparent to any host application 

GLYPH<SM590000> Configure drives or L xx  storage capacity without taking the library offline 

GLYPH<SM590000> Virtualize I/O slots to automatically manage the movement of cartridges between I/O station slots and storage slots 

