===== Slotting =====

A Slot is a location in a [[master:admin_zone|Zone]] large enough for one [[master:volumes|Volume]].  Slotting is a process of allocating a [[master:volumes|Volume]] to a particular Slot to allow documentation of the exact storage location of that [[master:volumes|Volume]].

==== Adding Slots to a Repository ====

To add Slots to a [[master:repository|Repository]], create a [[master:admin_zone|Zone]] using the Zone Administration tool in the Administration Menu. Then, follow the steps to [[master:admin_zone|Add a Zone]] to a Repository.

==== Manually Add a Volume to a Slot ====

To manually add a [[master:volumes|Volume]] to a Slot,
double-click a [[master:volumes|Volume]] in the [[master:volumes|Volume]] List or right-click a [[master:volumes|Volume]] in the Volume List and select **Properties**. This will launch the [[master:volume_properties_window|Volume Properties Window]].

Select the **Target Location** tab and enter a Slot number in either the ''Slot field'' in the Relative Location window or the ''Level field'' and ''Slot field'' in the Absolute Location window.

{{:master:tapemaster_slot_target.png}}

Click ''Save'' and the [[master:volumes|Volume]] will be put into a Move to that slot, even if that [[master:volumes|Volume]] is moving to a Slot within its Current [[master:repository|Repository]].

Press F5 in the inventory window to update the display to show new target slotting.

==== Automatic Slotting ====

Automatic Slotting in TapeTrack is done with a Command Line program called [[cli:TMSS10SlotAllocation]] that is included in installs of [[server:guide|TapeTrack Framework Server]] and [[cli:introduction|TapeTrack Server Utilities]] in conjunction with [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Task_Scheduler|Windows Task Scheduler]]. 

[[cli:TMSS10SlotAllocation]] must be run on the [[server:guide|TapeTrack Framework Server]], but it can be launched remotely if necessary.

==== Sample Slotting Script ====
<code>
TMSS10SlotAllocation -S user:-password@tapetrack.domain.com > "%TMSS10REPORTS%\slotting_report.txt" 2> "%TMSS10REPORTS%\slotting_error.txt"
</code>
==== Preparing TapeMaster for Automatic Slotting ====

Before running [[cli:TMSS10SlotAllocation]] , Repositories must be set so that Slotting is Enabled. This can be done under the [[master:repository_options|Options Tab]] of the [[master:repository_properties_window|Repository Properties Window]].

{{:master:repository_enable_slotting.png|}}

Once **Slotting** is enabled, the slotting Assignment Options can be set.
  * **Slotting Mode**
    * **IntelliSlot**: The Slotting batch process will Slot [[master:volumes|Volumes]] in groups by Consignment or Slotting Order  until the available group slots are filled. At this point, empty Slots will be filled on a First Available Status.
    * **First Available**: [[master:volumes|Volumes]] will be put in the first available Slot in their Repository and will not be grouped. 
    * **Bypass**: When [[master:volumes|Volumes]] are automatically confirmed (see above), they will not be assigned Slots.
  * **Ignore Home Slot**: If a Volume has been assigned a Home Slot in the Options Tab of the [[master:volume_properties_window|Volume Properties Window]], this Repository will ignore it and Slot using the Slot assignment Options.
  * **Do not reslot**: If set to true a [[master:volumes|Volume]] will not be reslotted in it's previous slot when it is moved back.
  * **Retain moving slot**: If set to true the slot allocation is not made available for other [[master:volumes|Volumes]] until the [master:volumes|Volumes]] moving out is confirmed at target location. False allows the slot to be allocated to another [[master:volumes|Volume]] as soon as the occupying [[master:volumes|Volume]] is placed in a move status.
  * **Slotting Order**: There are three orders with which [[master:volumes|Volumes]] may be assigned Slots: 
    * **Movement Time**: [[master:volumes|Volumes]] will be assigned Slots based on when they arrived at the selected Repository.
    * **From Location**: [[master:volumes|Volumes]] will be assigned Slots based on which Repository they were sent from.
    * **Volume-ID**: [[master:volumes|Volumes]] will be assigned Slots in the alphanumeric order based on their [[master:volumes|Volume-ID's]].


{{tag> slot slotting}}