Of all the devices connected to the computer, you have the most direct control over the tape drive. Users must ask to use it by issuing a message, called a tape request, that is sent to the console. As a system operator, you are responsible for mounting and dismounting tapes in response to user tape requests. You also manage tape drives and maintain tape storage.
Figure 1-1 illustrates the different types of tape drives you may see in your computer room.
![[fig101]](img/fig101.gif)
In this chapter, you will find the procedures to perform the following tasks:
Loading and unloading manual tape drives.
Loading and unloading automatic tape drives.
Loading and unloading digital data storage (DDS tape drives.)
Securing and labeling tapes.
