Exabyte LTO-2 User manual

1013187-B
MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2)
PRODUCT MANUAL

ii PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
COPYRIGHT Copyright 2005 by Exabyte Corporation. All rights reserved. This item and the
information contained herein are the property of Exabyte Corporation. No part of this
documentmaybereproduced,transmitted,transcribed,storedin aretrievalsystem, or
translated into any language or computer language in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the
expresswrittenpermissionofExabyteCorporation,210855thStreet,Boulder,Colorado
80301.
DISCLAIMER ExabyteCorporationmakesnorepresentationorwarrantieswithrespecttothecontents
of this document and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability
orfitnessforanyparticularpurpose.Further,ExabyteCorporationreservestherightto
revise this publication without obligation of ExabyteCorporationtonotifyanypersonor
organizationof such revision or changes.
TRADEMARK
NOTICES Exabyte is a registered trademarks; Exabotics is a trademark; People Working for You
and SupportSuite are service marks of Exabyte Corporation. IBM is a trademark of
InternationalBusinessMachinesCorporationintheUnitedStates,orothercountriesor
regions, or both. Linear Tape-Open, LTO, the LTO logo, Ultrium, and the Ultrium logo
are U.S. trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation, Certance and
Hewlett-Packard. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.
PART NUMBER
REVISION HISTORY
1013187 Revision B
NOTE:The most current information about this product is available at Exabyte’s web site
(www.exabyte.com).
Revision Date Description
A January 2005 Initial release.
B August 2005 Correct two figures (3-2 and 4-2).

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) iii
PRODUCT
WARRANTY
CAUTION
The Exabyte Magnum Tape Drive (LTO-2) is warranted to be free from defects in
materials, parts, and workmanship, and conforms to the current product specification.
For the specific details of your warranty, refer to your sales contract or contact the
company from which you purchased the tape drive.
The warranty for the tape drive shall not apply to failures caused by:
Physical abuse or use not consistent with the operating instructions or product
specifications.
Use of any type of data cartridge other than an Exabyte LTO tape or an
Exabyte-approved LTO data cartridge.
Use of any type of cleaning material other than an Exabyte LTO tape Cleaning
Cartridge.
Repair or modification by any one other than Exabyte’s personnel or agent in a
manner differing from the maintenance instructions provided by Exabyte.
Removal of the Exabyte identification label(s).
Physical abuse due to improper packaging of returned drives.
If problems with the tape drive occur, contact Exabyte or your service provider; do not
voidtheproductwarrantybyallowinguntrainedorunauthorizedpersonneltoattempt
repairs.
FCC NOTICE ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforaClassAdigital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection againstharmful interference when the equipment is operatedin
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in aresidential areais likelyto cause harmfulinterference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
LASER SAFETY
NOTICE Thistape drive contains components that comply with performance standardsthat are
setbytheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministration(Part21CFR,1040.10/11).Thismeansthat
these products belong to a class of laser products that do not emit hazardous laser
radiation. This classification was accomplished by providing the necessary protective
housing and scanning safeguards to ensure that laser radiation is inaccessible during
operation or is within Class I limits. External safety agencies have reviewed these
products and have obtained approvals to the latest standards as they apply to this
product type.
END OF LIFE (EOL)
PLAN This tape drive is a purchased unit. Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the
purchaser to dispose of it in accordance with local laws and regulations at the time of
disposal.Thisunitcontainsrecyclablematerials.Thematerialsshouldberecycledwhere
facilities are available and according to local regulations.
Caution Returning the tape drive in unauthorized packaging may damage the unit and void the
warranty.
If you are returning the tape drive for repair, package it in its original packaging (or in
replacement packaging obtained from your vendor).

iv PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
CONTACTING
EXABYTE To obtain general information
Exabyte Corporate
Headquarters Exabyte Corporation 2108 55th Street
Boulder, CO USA 80301
[phone]
World Wide Web www.exabyte.com
To obtain technical support
Exabyte Technical Support www.exabyte.com/products/hardwarewarranty.cfm
To order supplies and accessories
Exabyte Sales Support 1-800-774-7172
1-800-392-8273 (Exabyte Media)
To obtain service
Exabyte Service www.exabyte.com/support/contact/index.cfm

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) v
Contents
How to Use This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
1
11
1Magnum Tape Drive (LTO-2) Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Front Panel Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Back Panel Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Cartridge Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Speed Matching and Channel Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SCSI Bus Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Sleep Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2
22
2Installing the Tape Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Unpack the Tape Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Install the Tape Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Set the SCSI ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Position the tape drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Connect Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Run the Fast Read/Write Test (Diagnostic Function Code F). . . 10
Connect the tape drive to the SCSI bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Install Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Configure the Tape Drive to the Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3
33
3Operating the Tape Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Using the Front Panel Controls and Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Using the Power Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Using the Unload Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Monitoring the Status LED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Monitoring the Single-Character Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Loading a Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Unloading a Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Cleaning the Tape Drive Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

vi PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
Determining When to Clean the Tape Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Using a Cleaning Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Resetting the Tape Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Using the Tape Backup Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4
44
4Using Data Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Cartridge Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Data Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Environmental and Shipping Specifications for Data Cartridges 23
Setting the Write-Protect Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Handling Data Cartridges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide Proper Acclimation and Environmental Conditions. . . 25
Perform a Thorough Inspection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Handle the Cartridge Carefully . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Cartridge Storage Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Ensure Proper Packaging for Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Repositioning or Reattaching a Leader Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Repositioning a Leader Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Reattaching a Leader Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Disposing of Tape Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5
55
5Troubleshooting and Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Methods of Receiving Errors and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Descriptions and Corrective Actions for Errors and Messages. . 37
Resolving Problems Reported by the Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Resolving Media-Related Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Supported TapeAlert Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Using the Tape Drive Diagnostic and Maintenance Functions. . . . 47
Setting the Tape Drive to Maintenance Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Exiting Maintenance Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Function Code 1 — Run SCSI Drive Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . 48
Function Code 2 — Update Drive Firmware from FMR Tape . 49
Function Code 3 — Create FMR Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Function Code 4 — Force a Drive Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) vii
Function Code 5 — Copy Drive Dump to Tape (at Beginning of Tape)
52
Function Code 8 — Convert FMR Tape to Scratch Tape . . . . . 52
Function Code 9 — Display Error Code Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Function Code A — Clear Error Code Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Function Code C — Insert Cartridge into Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Function Code E — Test Cartridge & Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Function Code F — Fast Read/Write Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Function Code H — Test Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Function Code L — Reserved for Future Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Function Code P or U — Enable or Disable POST Error Reporting. .
57
Using Sense Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
6
66
6Servicing the Tape Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Returning the Tape Drive for Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Upgrading Firmware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Updating Firmware Over the SCSI Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Updating the Firmware with an FMR Data Cartridge . . . . . . . . 60
Obtaining a Drive Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
7
77
7Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Data Transfer Rates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Size and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Power Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Environmental Conditions for the Tape Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Safety and Regulatory Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

viii PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
NOTES

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) ix
Figures
1
11
1Magnum Tape Drive (LTO-2) Features
Figure 1-1 Front-panel components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Figure 1-2 Back-panel components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2
22
2Installing the Tape Drive
Figure 2-1 Back-panel components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 2-2 Tape drive is last or only device on the SCSI bus . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 2-3 Another peripheral is the last device on SCSI bus . . . . . . . . . . 13
3
33
3Operating the Tape Drive
Figure 3-1 Front-panel components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Figure 3-2 Inserting a cartridge into the tape drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4
44
4Using Data Cartridges
Figure 4-1 LTO Ultrium 200 GB data cartridge components. . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 4-2 Setting the write-protect switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Figure 4-3 Leader pin in the incorrect and correct positions. . . . . . . . . . . 28
Figure 4-4 Placing a dislodged leader pin into the correct position . . . . . . 29
Figure 4-5 Rewinding the tape into the cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Figure 4-6 Leader pin reattachment kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Figure 4-7 Attaching the leader pin tool to the cartridge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Figure 4-8 WInding the tape out of the cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Figure 4-9 Removing the C-clip from the leader pin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Figure 4-10 Attaching the leader pin to the tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

xPRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
NOTES

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) xi
Tables
3
33
3Operating the Tape Drive
Table 3-1 Meaning of Status LED Activity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4
44
4Using Data Cartridges
Table 4-1 Tape drive cartridge and format compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Table 4-2 Data capacities in gigabytes (GB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Table 4-3 Environment for operating, storing, and shipping the LTO Ultrium
data cartridge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5
55
5Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
Table 5-1 Troubleshooting tips for the tape drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Table 5-2 Methods of receiving errors and messages for the tape drive. . 37
Table 5-3 Tape drive codes for error conditions and informational messages .
38
Table 5-4 TapeAlert flags supported by the tape drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7
77
7Specifications
Table 7-1 Maximum data transfer rates in megabytes per second. . . . . . 63
Table 7-2 Size and weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Table 7-3 Power specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Table 7-4 Temperature and humidity specifications for the tape drive . . 64

xii PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
NOTES

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) xiii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
This manual describes how to install, operate, and maintain the Magnum Tape
Drive (LTO-2). It also provides functional, performance, and environmental
specifications.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION
Installation
If you are installing the tape drive for the first time, refer to the following
chapters:
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the tape drive’s features and
components.
Chapter 2providesinstructions forinstalling thetape drive,connectingitto
the host computer, and powering it on.
Operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and service
Refer to these chapters for information about operating, maintaining, and
troubleshooting your tape drive:
Chapter 3 provides instructions for using the tape drive, including reading
the single-character display and the status LED, loading and unloading
cartridges, and cleaning the tape drive.
Chapter 5 provides troubleshooting recommendations and instructions for
using the tape drive’s diagnostic and maintenance functions, including a
complete list of the TapeAlert flags supported by the tape drive.
Chapter 6 provides information aboutservice andmaintenance for the tape
drive,includingreturningit for service,upgrading firmware,andobtaining
a diagnostic listing.
Specifications, standards, and terms
These chapters are for engineering, purchasing, or marketing personnel who
want to evaluate the tape drive to determine the feasibility of integrating it
into their product lines.
Chapter 7providesspecificationsforthetapedrive,includingperformance,
reliability, power, and environmental specifications. This chapter also
provides safety and regulatory agency standards compliance information.
Chapter 4 provides a detailed description of the media used by the tape
drive.
TheGlossary provides definitions of terms used in this manual and in other
documentation associated with the tape drive.

xiv PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
For more information about the tape drive and the standards used by the tape
drive, refer to the following publications. To order an Exabyte publication, see
“Contacting Exabyte” on page iv. To download a PDF version of an Exabyte
publication, visit the Exabyte web site (www.exabyte.com).
IBM Ultrium LTO-2 Publications
Note: See the IBM web site at www.ibm.com/servers/storage/support/lto/ltooem/
to locate additional information about IBM LTO Ultrium tape drives.
Standards Publications
These publications are available on the web at www.t10.org.
SCSI Parallel Interface-3 (SPI-3), International Committee on Information
Technology Standards (INCITS)
SCSI-3 Stream Commands (SSC), American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)
SCSI Stream Commands-2 (SSC-2), ANSI
SCSI Primary Commands-2 (SPC-2), ANSI
SCSI Primary Commands-3 (SPC-3), ANSI
CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS MANUAL
This manual uses the following conventions:
Note: Notes provide additional information or suggestions about the topic or
procedure being discussed.
!
!!
! Important Read information marked by the “Important” icon for
information that will help you complete a procedure, avoid
extra steps, or avoid future problems.
Caution Read the information marked by the “CAUTION” icon for information you must
know to avoid damaging the tape drive or losing data.
Warning Read text marked by the “WARNING” icon for information you must know to
avoid personal injury.

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) 1
1
MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2)
FEATURES
The Exabyte Magnum Tape Drive (LTO-2) is a high-performance,
high-capacity data-storage device that is designed to backup andrestore Open
Systems applications. The tape drive is the second-generation tape drive in the
Ultrium series of products. It is available with a Small Computer Systems
Interface (SCSI).
The tape drive offers a formatted cartridge capacity of up to 200 GB (400 GB
assuming 2:1 compression ratio) and a sustained data transfer rate of 35 MB
per second (70 MB per second assuming 2:1 compression ratio).
Features of the Magnum Tape Drive (LTO-2) tape drive include:
Backward read/write compatible with LTO Ultrium 1 data cartridges
LTO cartridge memory
Ultra160 SCSI LVD interface
Digital speed matching
64 MB buffer
Advanced LTO data compression
Smart Power Management

2PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
CHAPTER 1 — MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) FEATURES
COMPONENTS
This section describes the major components of the tape drive.
FRONT PANEL COMPONENTS
Figure 1-1 shows the controls and indicators on the front panel of the tape
drive. For more information about using these controls and indicators, see
Chapter 3.
Cartridge Door Used for inserting the cartridge into the tape drive.
Single-character Display Provides a single-character code for error
conditions and informational messages. It also provides codes for Diagnostic
or maintenance functions. These codes are described in Table 5-3 on page 38. A
red dot appears in the corner of the display when a drive dump is available
(see“Using the Tape Drive Diagnostic and Maintenance Functions” on page 47
for more information).
Status LED (Light Emitting Diode) Indicates the current operating status
information, which is described in Table 3-1 on page 16.
Unload Button Used to unload the tape and eject the cartridge.
On/Off Switch Used to turn power on and off.
Power Indicator Shows the power-on status of the tape drive.
Figure 1-1 Front-panel components
Status LED
Unload button
Cartridge door
Single-character
display
On/Off
switch
Power
indicator

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) 3
CARTRIDGE COMPATIBILITY
BACK PANEL COMPONENTS
Figure 1-2 shows the back-panel components of the of the tape drive.
On/Off Switch Used to turn power on and off.
AC Power Connector Used to provide power through a grounded AC power
connector. A power cord is included with the tape drive.
SCSI Connectors Used to connect the tape drive to the SCSI bus with two
SCSI cables or one SCSI cable and a terminator. These connectors are 68-pin,
wide, Ultra160 LVD connectors.
SCSI ID Switch Used to set the tape drive SCSI ID.
CARTRIDGE COMPATIBILITY
The tape drive uses LTO Ultrium 200 GB data cartridges. It is also compatible
with LTO Ultrium 100 GB data cartridges.
The tape drive reads tapes that have been written by other licensed LTO
Ultrium 2 drives. It also writes to tapes that can be read by other licensed LTO
Ultrium 2 drives.
See Chapter 4, “Using Data Cartridges” on page 21 for detailed information
about LTO Ultrium data cartridges.
Figure 1-2 Back-panel components
AC power
connector SCSI
connectors
SCSI
ID switch

4PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
CHAPTER 1 — MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) FEATURES
SPEED MATCHING AND CHANNEL CALIBRATION
To improve system performance, the tape drive uses a technique called speed
matching to dynamically adjust its native (uncompressed) data rate to the
slower data rate of a server. With speed matching, the tape drive operates at
one of five speeds when reading or writing the Generation 2 cartridge format
to achieve a native data rate of 17.5, 21.9, 26.25, 30.63, or 35 MB per second
(MB/second). If the server’s net (compressed) data rate is between two of the
preceding native data rates, the tape drive calculates which of the two data
rates at which to operate. (For example, if the server transfers data at
60 MB/second on the host bus, at 2:1 compression its net data rate is
30 MB/second. The tape drive will then dynamically choose to operate at a
native data rate of 26.25 or 30.63 MB/second, whichever enables it to
successfully receive the greatest amount of compressed data over the
network.) Speed matching dramatically reduces backhitch, the condition that
occurs when a tape stops, reverses, and restarts motion. A backhitch is usually
the result of a mismatch between the data rates of the server and the tape
drive.
System performance is further optimized by a feature called channel calibration,
in which the tapedrive automatically customizes each read/write data channel
to compensate for variations in such things as the recording channel’s transfer
function, the media, and characteristics of the tape drive head.
SCSI BUS SPEED
The Ultra160 LVD SCSI interface is backward compatible with older SCSI
technology and is capable of data transmission at 160 MB/second. Ultra160
SCSI uses the three management features of the Ultra3 SCSI standard that
specifically affect data transfer rate:
Double transition clocking – a data-transfer technique that enables data
rates to double without increasing clock speed
Domain validation – a procedure that detects and adjusts SCSI
configuration issues that might prevent interoperation between SCSI
devices
Cyclic redundancy check (CRC) – an error-checking technique
Because the cables, connectors, and terminators are the same for the Ultra160
and Ultra2 SCSI interfaces, devices with those interfaces can be mixed on the
same bus and each device can operate at its fully rated speed.

AUGUST 2005 EXABYTE MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) 5
SLEEP MODE
SLEEP MODE
To conserve energy when circuit functions are not needed for drive operation,
the tape drive features a power-management function that causes the tape
drive’s electronics to enter a low-power mode known as sleep mode. To enter
sleep mode, the tape drive must be inactive for a minimum of 15 minutes; to
exit, the tape drive must receive a command across the SCSI interface or a load
or unload request. When in sleep mode, the tape drive’s response time to
commands that do not require media motion increases by up to
10 microseconds. Commands that require media motion may be delayed an
additional 100 milliseconds because the tape tension must be reset.

6PRODUCT MANUAL 1013187
CHAPTER 1 — MAGNUM TAPE DRIVE (LTO-2) FEATURES
Notes