Tape Manager for z/VM

The architecture of Tape Manager for z/VM (TMzVM) is centered around several key components designed to provide comprehensive tape management capabilities within a z/VM environment. The primary components include the TMzVM Control Program, the TMzVM Catalog, and the TMzVM Operator Interface. The TMzVM Control Program is the core of the system, responsible for managing tape drive allocation, deallocation, and volume tracking.

It interacts directly with the z/VM system to control tape devices. The TMzVM Catalog is a database that stores metadata about tape volumes, including volume serial numbers, creation dates, expiration dates, and current status. This catalog is crucial for tracking and managing tape volumes.

The TMzVM Operator Interface provides a command-line interface (CLI) for administrators to interact with the system. This interface allows for the execution of commands such as `ALLOCATE`, `DEALLOCATE`, `MOUNT`, and `UNLOAD`. Communication between these components occurs primarily through z/VM's internal mechanisms.

The Control Program and Operator Interface communicate via z/VM's command processing facilities. The Control Program accesses the TMzVM Catalog to retrieve and update volume information. TMzVM utilizes the z/VM file system for storing configuration files and logs.

The system does not expose REST or SOAP APIs. TMzVM supports RBAC with role-based permissions for access control. TMzVM's architecture is optimized for z/VM, providing efficient tape drive utilization and data protection.

Unlike some competitors, TMzVM offers deep integration with z/VM's security and operational features.