Difference between Random and Sequential Modes

[Bill <brobins3d@xxxxxxxxx>]

I've got an IBM 3581 changer hooked up to a server and being processed 
by Backup Exec 12.  Currently the drive is set to Random mode.

I used to have a Dell changer with a barcode reader and the changer was 
able to communicate all cartridge changeouts to BE whenever done one by 
one.  With the 3581, whenever I swap cartridges, BE knows nothing about 
it unless I tell it to do an inventory of the slots.  I assume this is 
because it doesn't have a barcode reader option installed.

The problem I run into is that if I forget to perform an inventory after 
swapping some tapes, BE will continuously circuit the slots looking for 
an available/non-protected tape - which it never finds because to BE, 
they're all overwrite protected, even though some are really not, they 
were changed out.

My question is, what if I changed to Sequential, would it then just 
continue on to the next tape regardless whether BE thinks it's protected 
or not?  Or would I still run into the same problem?

Bill