Files in this download contain Licensed Materials, property of IBM,
(C) Copyright IBM Corp. 1998-2010.  All Rights Reserved.  The
Licensing Agreement is viewable at the following link:

	http://www-947.ibm.com/systems/support/machine_warranties/machine_code.html

IBM periodically releases firmware updates that are intended to, 
among other things, support new features, increase overall reliability, 
improve tape handling, further reduce any possibility of data loss/data error, 
and provide continued enhancements to diagnostic capabilities. 

The readme files contain information that may not be included in the IBM
TS3500 documentation. The readme files take precedence over the documentation.  
Therefore, any information in this file that conflicts with information 
in the documentation will supercede the TS3500 Tape Library Operator Guide.

The IBM TS3500 Tape Library is responsible for providing basic and advanced tape 
functionality for backup/restore and archive environments. For more details on 
functionality and other operation procedures, consult your copy of the TS3500 Tape
Library Operator Guide. A softcopy is available for viewing at the following link: 

	http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/ts3500tl/v1r0/index.jsp

In order to provide maximum performance and reliability, it is recommended that the latest version of 
microcode is installed on your IBM tape libraries and tape devices. These firmware updates are intended 
to, among other things, increase overall reliability, improve tape handling, further reduce any possibility 
of data errors, and provide continued enhancements to diagnostic capabilities.

CODE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS:
		 		 		 		 
====================================================================================================
|                                       |   Firmware Level   |               Prereqs               |              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Recommended Firmware Level            |    	 B480        | ALMS, Enhanced Node Cards, Shuttle  | 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Recommended Firmware Level            |        B170        | ALMS, Enhanced Node Cards           |                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Other Supported Firmware Level        |    	 8930        | ALMS                                |                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Other Supported Firmware Level        |        7422        | None                                |                                          
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Attention: Firmware levels 95xx and higher require ALMS and enhanced node cards (FC 1700 / 1701 for xx2 frames).  Check Note 2 for list of features.

Notes:
1. For a shuttle complex, the recommended shuttle car firmware level is S210 and the minimum level of TSSC required is 5.11.23

2. Features by firmware level: 

Attention: All higher firmware levels include support for previous firmware levels features.

Main features in B480 firmware level (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for 3584 Shuttle Complex
- Removed embedded SMI-S agent support

Main features in B170 and higher firmware level (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for fixed home slot capability in libraries with Sx4 frames
- Support added for new error log filtering via the web

Main features in B150 and higher firmware level (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for the TS1140 Tape Drive (3592 Model E07)
- Added option to perform automatic ejects for expired cleaning cartridges
- Added machine type column to Drive VPD Page on Web Specialist

Main features in A420 and higher firmware levels (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for exchange medium for libraries with Sx4 frames

Main features in A360 and higher firmware levels (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for a secure connection to the Storage Authentication Service server using SSL certificates
- Support for Storage Authentication Service Single Sign On
- Support for second Storage Authentication Service server
- Support for Multiple Log Collection from the Web Specialist

Main features in A030 and higher firmware levels (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for LTO 5 (dual-port 8Gb Fibre Channel) 
- Mixed media support for TS3500 HA/HD libraries
- Storage Authentication Service (LDAP via TPC or SSPC)
- Floating home cell option for non-HD libraries
- Customizable warning threshold for capacity utilization

Main features in 9590 and higher firmware levels (Requires ALMS and enhanced node cards):
- Support for greater than 6887 slots
- Inventory Self-Correction
- Key Path Diagnostics via the Web Specialist
- Automatically set HD slot offline for specific errors
- SNMP Audit Logging
- SNMP traps for EKM/TKLM communication failure, tape drive TapeAlert 18, new unassigned cartridge, and all doors closed
- Added Offline slot count on System Summary web page


Refer to the following notices for information on proper firmware installation:
1. The MIB files are not installed on the library. They are installed on the customer SNMP client.
2. Firmware must be upgraded in steps if the firmware update crosses major releases.  For example, a 3584 library running 8xxx code must first update to 9xxx then Axxx, before upgrading to Bxxx.
3. The 95xx or higher level of library firmware requires Enhanced Node Cards to be installed.  For Library frame models xx2, this requires FC 1700/1701 or a model conversion to xx3 models.
	Note: Frame models Dx2 without node cards, do not require FC 1701 or model conversion to Dx3.
4. The 8xxx or higher level of library firmware requires ALMS to be enabled.  If ALMS is not to be installed and enabled, do not install this level of firmware.
5. 3584 machines without ALMS should use library firmware 7xxx.
6. 3584 machines with one or more D42 frames must use library code 3060. 
7. If your machine currently has library code 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx or 7xxx then refer to the chart above to determine what code to load.
8. If your machine currently has library code 2xxx, first install 3480.bin, and then refer to the chart above to determine the final code to load.
9. If your machine currently has library code 1xxx, first install 2460base.bin, then install 3480.bin, and then refer to the chart above to determine the final code to load.


SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS:
This tape library works with the following operating systems: AIX, HPUX, Linux, 
Solaris, Windows, i5OS. For details on supported tape attachment please refer to the 
System Storage Interoperation Center website.  

	http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/storage/config/ssic/

TROUBLESHOOTING:
IBM Tape Diagnostic Tool (ITDT) provides the customer with functionality 
to perform maintenance tasks and run diagnostic tasks to determine tape 
device issues.  This is available to download with the device driver.
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