In your installation, you store your tape volumes and other removable media in shelf locations defined to DFSMSrmm by rack and bin numbers. Rack numbers are optional and define individual shelf locations in your removable media library. Rack numbers are six alphanumeric, national, or special characters in any combination, such as rack number AB0001. Bin numbers define individual shelf locations in storage locations outside the removable media library. Your installation can use the DFSMSrmm built-in storage locations (LOCAL, DISTANT, or REMOTE) or define storage locations with media name, management type, location name, and installation-defined bin numbers. The bin numbers in the DFSMSrmm built-in storage locations are six numbers and are assigned by DFSMSrmm. Bin numbers in installation-defined storage locations are six alphanumeric characters and are assigned by DFSMSrmm depending on your installation definition.

Each time you add shelves in the removable media library or in a storage location, you must add individual rack and bin numbers to DFSMSrmm to define each new shelf location.

Rack numbers sharing a common prefix can make up a pool in your removable media library. Pools are defined at installation time and can help you organize and manage the volumes in your shelves. For example, all rack numbers with a prefix of AB might make up a pool for temporary customer volumes, and all rack numbers with a prefix of SP might make up a pool for your software products.

To add rack numbers to a library in the removable media library, add them to a pool defined for that specific library.

Installation defined storage locations can be subdivided based on the media that resides in the location. For example, you can identify part of a storage location for cartridges and another part for reels. Provide a media name when you add bin numbers so the volumes are sent to the correct part of the storage location.