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PASSEDinfrastructure / backup_tape_library_jam
Backup Tape Library Jam — Mechanical Failure
The robotic tape library experiences a mechanical jam in the tape picker mechanism, preventing all tape load/unload operations. Backup jobs queue indefinitely as no tapes can be mounted, and offsite tape rotation is halted.
Pattern
BACKUP_FAILURE
Severity
CRITICAL
Confidence
95%
Remediation
Remote Hands
Test Results
| Metric | Expected | Actual | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern Recognition | BACKUP_FAILURE | BACKUP_FAILURE | |
| Severity Assessment | CRITICAL | CRITICAL | |
| Incident Correlation | Yes | 8 linked | |
| Cascade Escalation | N/A | No | |
| Remediation | — | Remote Hands — Corax contacts on-site support via call, email, or API |
Scenario Conditions
IBM TS4500 tape library. Tape picker mechanism jammed in slot 47. 15 backup jobs queued waiting for tape mounts. No tapes can be loaded or unloaded. Offsite rotation SLA violated. 5TB of backup data waiting to be written.
Injected Error Messages (1)
Tape library mechanical failure — backup failed for all 15 queued jobs, tape picker mechanism jammed at slot 47, cannot load or unload any tapes, backup job 'FullBackup_Prod_DB' failed after waiting 4 hours for tape mount, backup repository showing 5TB of pending writes, offsite tape rotation SLA violated, robotic arm error code 0x4F: mechanical obstruction detected
Neural Engine Root Cause Analysis
The tape library's robotic picker mechanism has suffered a mechanical failure with physical jamming at slot 47, preventing all tape operations. Error code 0x4F indicates a mechanical obstruction has blocked the robotic arm's movement, causing complete backup system failure. This is a hardware-level mechanical issue affecting the entire backup infrastructure, with 15 failed backup jobs and 5TB of pending writes creating a cascading operational crisis.
Remediation Plan
1. Immediately escalate to datacenter technicians for physical inspection of tape library slot 47 and robotic picker mechanism. 2. Power down tape library safely to prevent further mechanical damage. 3. Clear any physical obstructions (tape, debris, or mechanical components) from the picker path. 4. Inspect robotic arm alignment and mechanical components for damage. 5. If hardware replacement is needed, contact vendor support for emergency service. 6. Once mechanical issue is resolved, power on library, run diagnostic tests, and gradually resume backup operations starting with most critical jobs. 7. Implement temporary backup strategy using alternative storage while library is offline.
Tested: 2026-03-30Monitors: 1 | Incidents: 1Test ID: cmnck0lys0629obqelpvmy44d