Tandberg Data SLR7-140 PROGRAMMER User manual

TANDBERG SLR
Tandberg SLR7, SLR50,
SLR60, SLR75, SLR100, SLR140
SCSI INTERFACE
FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION
TANDBERG DATA ASA
P.O. Box 134 Kjelsås
N-0411 OSLO, NORWAY
Phone + 47 22 18 90 90
Telefax + 47 22 18 95 50
© Tandberg Data ASA
Part No. 43 07 43 – 13
October 2003

Related publications available from Tandberg Data ASA:
Part No. Title
43 04 44 - 11 Tandberg SLR7, SLR50, SLR60, SLR75, SLR100,
SLR140 Reference Manual
This publication may describe designs for which patents are granted or pen-
ding. By publishing this information, Tandberg Data ASA conveys no license
under any patent or any other rights.
Every effort has been made to avoid errors in text and diagrams. However,
Tandberg Data ASA assumes no responsibility for any errors, which may ap-
pear in this publication.
It is the policy of Tandberg Data ASA to improve products as new techniques
and components become available. Tandberg Data ASA therefore reserves
the right to change specifications at any time.
We would appreciate any comments on this publication.

iTandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
Table Of Contents
1. Introduction .....................................................................1
1.1. General .............................................................................................. 1
1.2. Overview............................................................................................ 2
1.3. Glossary............................................................................................. 3
1.4. Additional Reference Documentation................................................ 5
2. About Tape Streamers ....................................................1
2.1. Physical Elements ............................................................................. 1
2.2. Data Storage Characteristics............................................................. 1
2.3. Partitions Within a Volume ................................................................ 3
2.3.1. Partitioning a Volume................................................................. 4
2.3.2. Selecting a Partition ................................................................... 6
2.3.3. Using Initiator Defined Partitions ............................................... 8
2.3.4. Quick File Access .................................................................... 11
2.4. Logical Elements Within a Partition................................................. 14
2.5. Overwrite ......................................................................................... 15
2.6. Using Fixed and Variable Length Blocks......................................... 17
2.6.1. Variable and Fixed Length Blocks ........................................... 17
2.6.2. Writing...................................................................................... 17
2.6.3. Reading.................................................................................... 18
2.6.4. Illegal Length Conditions when Reading ................................. 18
2.7. Data Buffering.................................................................................. 19
2.7.1. Introduction .............................................................................. 19
2.7.2. Data Formatting ....................................................................... 21
2.7.3. Buffered Mode ......................................................................... 23
2.7.4. Read-Ahead............................................................................. 25
2.7.5. Underrun/Overrun .................................................................... 25
2.7.6. Buffer Thresholds..................................................................... 26
2.7.7. Disconnect/Re-connect............................................................ 27
2.7.8. Data Re-transfer ...................................................................... 28
2.7.9. Buffer Parity Errors .................................................................. 28
2.8. Data Compression........................................................................... 29
2.8.1. Background.............................................................................. 29
2.8.2. Controlling Data Compression................................................. 30
2.9. Optimizing Streaming Operation ..................................................... 33
2.9.1. Forced Streaming .................................................................... 33
2.9.2. AVC (Automatic Velocity Control)............................................ 33
2.9.3. Using both Forced Streaming and AVC................................... 34
2.9.4. Recommended Settings .......................................................... 35
2.10. Recorded Objects............................................................................ 35
2.11. TapeAlert ......................................................................................... 36
3. Logical Characteristics...................................................1
3.1. SCSI-bus Phases .............................................................................. 1
3.1.1. Bus Management Phases.......................................................... 1
3.1.2. Information Transfer Phases ..................................................... 2
3.2. SCSI-bus Phase Sequences ............................................................. 3
3.2.1. Legal Phase Sequences ............................................................ 4
3.3. SCSI Pointers .................................................................................... 9
3.4. Unit Attention ................................................................................... 11
3.5. SCSI-bus Conditions ....................................................................... 12
3.5.1. Attention (ATN) ........................................................................ 12
3.5.2. Reset........................................................................................ 13

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ii Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
4. Commands.......................................................................1
4.1. The Command Descriptor Block........................................................ 1
4.2. Command Control Byte ..................................................................... 2
4.3. Reserved Fields................................................................................. 3
4.4. Command Set Summary ................................................................... 4
4.5. Command Sequencing ...................................................................... 6
4.5.1. Normal Modes............................................................................ 6
4.6. Multiple Connections ......................................................................... 9
4.6.1. Background................................................................................ 9
4.6.2. Commands Received Serially, LUN Is 0.................................. 10
4.6.3. Commands Received Serially, LUN Not 0............................... 11
4.6.4. Concurrent Command, Same Initiator, LUN Is 0 ..................... 11
4.6.5. Concurrent Command, Any Initiator, LUN Not 0 ..................... 11
4.6.6. Concurrent Command, Different Initiator, LUN Is 0................. 11
5. Status Bytes.....................................................................1
6. Message System .............................................................1
6.1. Message In ........................................................................................ 2
6.2. Message Out ..................................................................................... 3
6.3. Extended Message............................................................................ 5
6.3.1. Wide Data Transfer Request ..................................................... 6
6.3.2. Synchronous Data Transfer Request Message......................... 8
6.4. Message Reject Message Handling ................................................ 11
6.4.1. Message-In Phase ................................................................... 11
6.4.2. Message-Out Phase ................................................................ 11
6.5. Abort Message Handling ................................................................. 12
6.6. Unexpected Bus Free...................................................................... 14
7. General Exception Handling...........................................1
7.1. Error Codes ....................................................................................... 1
7.2. Error Conditions for All Commands................................................... 5
7.3. Deferred Errors.................................................................................. 6
7.4. Error Conditions for Media Access Commands ................................ 7
7.5. Power On Selftest (POST) Error Handling ........................................ 8
7.5.1. Commands Executed After POST Error .................................... 8
7.5.2. Commands Terminated After POST Error................................. 9
7.6. Bus Parity Error Handling .................................................................. 9
7.6.1. Errors Detected by the Drive ................................................... 10
7.6.2. Errors Detected by the Initiator ................................................ 11
7.7. Buffer Parity Error Handling............................................................. 11
7.8. Error Priority..................................................................................... 12
7.9. Suggested Error Recovery Action ................................................... 13
8. Erase ................................................................................1
8.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
8.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
8.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 2
8.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
9. Inquiry ..............................................................................1
9.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
9.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
9.3. Parameter Lists ................................................................................. 3
9.3.1. Standard Inquiry Data ................................................................ 3

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iii Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
9.3.2. Vital Product Data ...................................................................... 6
9.4. Exception Handling.......................................................................... 16
9.5. Phase Sequencing .......................................................................... 16
10. Load/Unload.....................................................................1
10.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
10.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
10.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 3
10.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 3
11. Locate...............................................................................1
11.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
11.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
11.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 3
11.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 3
12. Log Select ........................................................................1
12.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
12.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
12.3. Parameter List ................................................................................... 3
12.3.1. General Parameter Description ................................................. 3
12.3.2. Log Page Headers ..................................................................... 3
12.3.3. Log Parameter Headers ............................................................ 3
12.3.4. Modifiable Parameter Values..................................................... 6
12.3.5. The TapeAlert Information Page................................................ 6
12.4. Exception Handling............................................................................ 7
12.5. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 7
13. Log Sense ........................................................................1
13.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
13.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
13.3. Parameter List ................................................................................... 3
13.3.1. Supported Log Pages ................................................................ 3
13.3.2. Buffer Overrun/Underrun Counters Page .................................. 4
13.3.3. Write Error Counter Page .......................................................... 7
13.3.4. Read Error Counter Page ........................................................ 14
13.3.5. TapeAlert Page ........................................................................ 22
13.3.6. Data Block Counters Page ...................................................... 25
13.3.7. Remaining Capacity Page ....................................................... 29
13.3.8. Tape Mark Counters Page....................................................... 36
13.3.9. Head Cleaning Page................................................................ 39
13.3.10. Drive Page ............................................................................... 43
13.3.11. Servo Page ............................................................................. 46
13.3.12. Track Number Page................................................................. 53
13.3.13. Cartridge Usage Page ............................................................. 54
13.3.14. Compression Ratio Page......................................................... 62
13.4. Exception Handling.......................................................................... 70
13.5. Phase Sequencing .......................................................................... 70
14. Mode Select .....................................................................1
14.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
14.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
14.3. Parameter List ................................................................................... 2
14.3.1. Header List................................................................................. 3
14.3.2. Block Descriptor List .................................................................. 6
14.3.3. Read-Write Error Recovery Page ............................................ 11

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iv Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
14.3.4. Disconnect/Reconnect Page ................................................... 13
14.3.5. Control Mode Page .................................................................. 16
14.3.6. Data Compression Page.......................................................... 18
14.3.7. Device Configuration Page ...................................................... 20
14.3.8. Medium Partition Page (1) ....................................................... 23
14.3.9. Informational Exceptions Control Page ................................... 27
14.3.10. Miscellaneous Parameters Page ............................................. 29
14.3.11. User Page 0 ............................................................................. 35
14.3.12. User Page 1 ............................................................................. 36
14.3.13. Cartridge Manufacturer Page .................................................. 37
14.4. Exception Handling.......................................................................... 38
14.5. Phase Sequencing .......................................................................... 38
15. Mode Sense .....................................................................1
15.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
15.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
15.3. Parameter List ................................................................................... 3
15.3.1. Header List................................................................................. 3
15.3.2. Block Descriptor List .................................................................. 5
15.3.3. Read-Write Error Recovery Page Descriptor ............................ 6
15.3.4. Disconnect/Reconnect Page Descriptor .................................... 6
15.3.5. Control Mode Page .................................................................... 7
15.3.6. Data Compression Page Descriptor .......................................... 7
15.3.7. Device Configuration Parameters Page Descriptor................... 8
15.3.8. Medium Partition Parameters Page Descriptor ......................... 8
15.3.9. TapeAlert Configuration Page ................................................... 9
15.3.10. Miscellaneous Parameters Page Descriptor ........................... 10
15.3.11. User Page 0 Page Descriptor .................................................. 10
15.3.12. User Page 1 Page Descriptor .................................................. 11
15.3.13. Cartridge Manufacturer Page .................................................. 12
15.4. Exception Handling.......................................................................... 13
15.5. Phase Sequencing .......................................................................... 13
16. Prevent/Allow Medium Removal ....................................1
16.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
16.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
16.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 2
16.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
17. Read .................................................................................1
17.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
17.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
17.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 3
17.3.1. General ...................................................................................... 3
17.3.2. No Data...................................................................................... 3
17.3.3. Tapemark Detected ................................................................... 3
17.3.4. Illegal Length.............................................................................. 4
17.3.5. End of Data ................................................................................ 6
17.3.6. End of Partition .......................................................................... 7
17.3.7. Non-Recoverable Read Error .................................................... 7
17.3.8. Illegal Termination...................................................................... 8
17.3.9. Read After Write ........................................................................ 8
17.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 9
18. Read Block Limits ...........................................................1
18.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1

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vTandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
18.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
18.3. Parameter List ................................................................................... 1
18.4. Exception Handling............................................................................ 2
18.5. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
19. Read Buffer ......................................................................1
19.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
19.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
19.3. Read Data Mode (2) .......................................................................... 3
19.3.1. Data Buffer (Buffer ID = 0) ......................................................... 3
19.3.2. Static RAM (Buffer ID = 1) ......................................................... 3
19.3.3. Media Statistics (Buffer ID = 2) .................................................. 3
19.3.4. Microcode Store (Buffer ID = 3) ................................................. 3
19.3.5. EEPROM (Buffer ID = 4)............................................................ 3
19.3.6. External RAM Adapter (Buffer ID = 5) ....................................... 3
19.3.7. NVP DATA (Buffer ID = 6) ......................................................... 4
19.3.8. Tape Buffer Control Data (Buffer ID = 7) ................................... 4
19.3.9. Volume Directory (Buffer ID = 8)................................................ 4
19.3.10. Dbase Variables (Buffer ID = 9)................................................ 4
19.3.11. Header File Dates (Buffer ID = 10 )................................................. 4
19.3.12. Trace Buffer Control Blocks (Buffer ID = 11) .................................. 4
19.3.13. Complete Trace Buffer (Buffer ID = 12) .......................................... 4
19.4. Read Descriptor Mode (3) ................................................................. 5
19.5. Exception Handling............................................................................ 6
19.6. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 7
20. Read Position ..................................................................1
20.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
20.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
20.3. Data Format....................................................................................... 3
20.4. Exception Handling............................................................................ 4
20.5. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 5
21. Receive Diagnostic Results............................................1
21.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
21.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
21.3. Results From the SEND DIAGNOSTICS Command......................... 3
21.3.1. The Header Page....................................................................... 3
21.3.2. The Diagnostic Pages................................................................ 4
21.3.3. Supported Page Codes ............................................................. 5
21.4. Results From the Stand Alone Diagnostics Test............................... 6
21.4.1. The Stand Alone Diagnostic Result Page.................................. 6
21.5. Exception Handling............................................................................ 7
21.6. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 7
22. Release.............................................................................1
22.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
22.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
22.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 2
22.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
23. Request Sense.................................................................1
23.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
23.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
23.3. Parameter List ................................................................................... 2
23.4. Sense Keys........................................................................................ 5

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vi Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
23.5. Additional Sense Code and Qualifier ................................................ 6
23.6. Exception Handling............................................................................ 8
23.7. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 8
24. Reserve ............................................................................1
24.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
24.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
24.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 2
24.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
25. Rewind..............................................................................1
25.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
25.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
25.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 1
25.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
26. Send Diagnostics ............................................................1
26.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
26.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
26.3. Predefined Selftest Sequence 1........................................................ 3
26.4. Predefined Selftest Sequence 2........................................................ 4
26.5. Exception Handling............................................................................ 5
26.6. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 5
27. Space................................................................................1
27.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
27.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
27.3. Using Fast Space .............................................................................. 3
27.4. Exception Handling............................................................................ 3
27.4.1. General ...................................................................................... 3
27.4.2. No Data...................................................................................... 4
27.4.3. Filemark Detected...................................................................... 4
27.4.4. Setmark Detected ...................................................................... 4
27.4.5. End of Data ............................................................................... 5
27.4.6. Beginning of Partition................................................................ 5
27.4.7. End of Partition ......................................................................... 5
27.4.8. Non-Recoverable Read Error During Space Forward ............... 6
27.4.9. Error Condition or Bad Block During Space Reverse................ 6
28.4.10. Space Forward After Write ........................................................ 7
27.5. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 7
28. Test Unit Ready ...............................................................1
28.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
28.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
28.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 1
28.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 2
29. Verify (not for SLR7 and SLR140) ..................................1
29.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
29.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
29.3. Exception Handling............................................................................ 3
29.4. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 3
30. Write .................................................................................1

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vii Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
30.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
30.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 2
30.3. Data Compression............................................................................. 2
30.4. Write from BOP.................................................................................. 2
30.5. Write from EOD, Append................................................................... 3
30.6. Writing Over Existing Data, Overwrite ............................................... 3
30.7. Terminating Write Operations............................................................ 3
30.8. Exception Handling............................................................................ 4
30.8.1. General ...................................................................................... 4
30.8.2. Unsupported Block Length ........................................................ 4
30.8.3. Illegal Media Type...................................................................... 5
30.8.4 Illegal Overwrite ......................................................................... 6
30.8.5. Illegal Append Tape Format ...................................................... 6
30.8.6. Logical Early Warning................................................................ 6
30.8.7. End of Partition .......................................................................... 7
30.8.8. Non-Recoverable Write Error .................................................... 7
30.8.9. Append Error.............................................................................. 8
30.9. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 8
31. Write Buffer......................................................................1
31.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
31.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
31.3. Write Combined Header and Data Mode (0)..................................... 2
31.4. Write Data Mode (2) .......................................................................... 3
31.5. Download Microcode Mode (4).......................................................... 3
31.6. Download Microcode and Save Mode (5) ......................................... 3
31.7. Download Microcode with Offsets and Save Mode (7) ..................... 4
31.8. Microcode Verification and Save ....................................................... 4
31.9. Microcode Data Format ..................................................................... 5
31.10. Exception Handling............................................................................ 6
31.11. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 7
32. Write Filemarks................................................................1
32.1. Command Description ....................................................................... 1
32.2. Command Descriptor Block............................................................... 1
32.3. Terminating Write Operations............................................................ 2
32.4. Write Filemarks from BOM ................................................................ 2
32.5. Exception Handling............................................................................ 2
32.5.1. General ...................................................................................... 2
32.5.2. Illegal Media Type...................................................................... 3
32.5.3. Illegal Append Tape Format ...................................................... 3
32.5.4. Logical Early Warning................................................................ 3
32.5.5. End of Partition .......................................................................... 4
32.5.6. Non-Recoverable Write Error .................................................... 4
32.5.7. Append Error.............................................................................. 5
32.6. Phase Sequencing ............................................................................ 5

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viii Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
Table Of Figures
Figure 2-1: Serpentine Recording ................................................................. 2
Figure 2-2: Logical Track Areas .................................................................... 2
Figure 2-3: Multiple Partition Track Layout (SLR32 example) ....................... 9
Figure 2-4: Overwrite After the 1st Logical Data Block ............................... 16
Figure 2-5: Overwrite of Last Filemark ........................................................ 16
Figure 2-6: The SLR50 Buffer System (Write Mode) .................................. 20
Figure 2-7: The SLR140, SLR100, SLR75, SLR60 and SLR7 Buffer System
(Write Mode) ......................................................................................... 21
Figure 2-8: Host Buffer Data flow During Write Operations ........................ 26
Figure 2-9: Host Buffer Data flow During Read Operations........................ 26
Figure 2-10: Packing Data in Compression Block Groups.......................... 29
Figure 3-1: Phase Sequencing...................................................................... 3
Figure 3-2: SCSI Pointers ........................................................................... 10
Figure 4-1: Connections, Some Examples.................................................. 10

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ix Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
Table Of Tables
Table 1-1: Capacity and medium types.......................................................... 1
Table 2-1: The Medium Partition Page(1) ..................................................... 4
Table 2-2: Minimum Partition Size ................................................................ 8
Table 2-3: Partitions Within A QFA Volume ................................................ 11
Table 2-4: Directory Track set Allocation .................................................... 11
Table 2-5: Data Compression Page Descriptor ........................................... 30
Table 2-6: Forced Streaming and AVC On Different Medium Types (to be
continued…).......................................................................................... 34
Table 3-1: SCSI-bus Phases......................................................................... 1
Table 4-1: Typical Six-byte Command Descriptor Block............................... 1
Table 4-2: Typical Ten-byte Command Descriptor Block .............................. 1
Table 4-3: The Command Control Byte ......................................................... 2
Table 4-4: SCSI Command Set...................................................................... 4
Table 4-5: Normal Mode Actions (to be continued...)..................................... 7
Table 4-6: Connections, LUN and Initiator ID Combinations ...................... 10
Table 5-1: The Status Set ............................................................................. 1
Table 6-1: The Message-In Set..................................................................... 2
Table 6-2: The Message-Out Set .................................................................. 3
Table 6-3: The IDENTIFY Message .............................................................. 4
Table 6-4: Extended Message Format.......................................................... 5
Table 6-5: Supported Extended Message Codes ......................................... 5
Table 6-6: Wide Data Transfer Request ....................................................... 8
Table 6-7: Synchronous Data Transfer Request........................................... 8
Table 6-8: Response to MESSAGE REJECT ............................................. 11
Table 6-9: ABORT TASK SET Message Handling ...................................... 13
Table 7-1: Error Codes (to be continued…) .................................................. 2
Table 7-2: Error Priority ............................................................................... 12
Table 8-1: ERASE Command Descriptor Block ............................................ 1
Table 9-1: INQUIRY Command Descriptor Block ......................................... 1
Table 9-2: INQUIRY Parameter List (to be continued...)............................... 3
Table 9-3: Summary of Supported VPD Pages ............................................ 6
Table 9-4: Unit Serial Number Page ............................................................. 7
Table 9-5: Implemented Operating Definitions Page .................................... 8
Table 9-6: ASCII Implemented Operating Definition Page ........................... 9
Table 9-7: Hardware Revision Levels Page................................................ 10
Table 9-8: PROM Microcode Revision Level .............................................. 11
Table 9-9: Drive Manufacturing Date Page................................................. 13
Table 9-10: PROM Microcode Creation Date Page .................................... 14
Table 9-11: Drive Adjustment Date Page.................................................... 15
Table 10-1: LOAD/UNLOAD Command Descriptor Block ............................ 2
Table 10-2: LOAD/UNLOAD Operations....................................................... 2
Table 11-1: LOCATE Command Descriptor Block........................................ 2
Table 12-1: LOG SELECT Command Descriptor Block................................ 1
Table 12-2: Parameter Control Byte............................................................... 3
Table 13-1: LOG SENSE Command Descriptor Block ................................. 1
Table 13-2: Supported Log Pages Page....................................................... 3
Table 13-3: Buffer Overrun/Underrun Counters Page .................................. 4
Table 13-4: Underrun Log Parameters ......................................................... 4
Table 13-5: Overrun Log Parameters............................................................. 6
Table 13-6: Write Error Counter Page ........................................................... 7
Table 13-7: Rewrite Counter Log Parameters ............................................... 7
Table 13-8: Total Write Errors Log Parameters ............................................. 9
Table 13-9: Total Write Errors Corrected Log Parameters .......................... 10
Table 13-10: Total Times Errors Processed Log Parameters...................... 11
Table 13-11: Total Bytes Written Parameters .............................................. 12
Table 13-12: Total Uncorrected Write Errors Log Parameters .................... 13

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Table 13-13: Read Error Counter Page ....................................................... 14
Table 13-14: Reread Counter Log Parameters........................................... 15
Table 13-15: Total Read Error Parameters................................................. 16
Table 13-16: Total Read Error Corrected Log Parameters......................... 17
Table 13-17: ECC Correction Counter Log Parameters ............................. 18
Table 13-18: Total Bytes Read Counter Log Parameters........................... 19
Table 13-19: Total Uncorrected Read Errors Log Parameters .................... 20
Table 13-20: ECC Error Counter Log Parameters ...................................... 21
Table 13-21: TapeAlert Page ....................................................................... 22
Table 13-22: TapeAlert Information Log Parameters................................... 22
Table 13-23: Supported TapeAlert Flags (to be continued…) ..................... 23
Table 13-24: Data Block Counters Page..................................................... 25
Table 13-25: Logical Block Counter Log Parameters ................................. 26
Table 13-26: Write Media Blocks Counter Parameters............................... 27
Table 13-27: Read Media Block Counter Log Parameters ......................... 28
Table 13-28: Remaining Capacity Page ...................................................... 29
Table 13-29: Remaining Capacity Log Parameter code 01 ......................... 30
Table 13-30: Remaining Capacity Log Parameter code 02 ......................... 32
Table 13-31: Maximum Capacity Log Parameter code 03........................... 34
Table 13-32: Maximum Capacity Log Parameter code 04........................... 35
Table 13-33: Tape Mark Counters Page...................................................... 36
Table 13-34: Filemark Counter Log Parameters......................................... 36
Table 13-35: Setmark Counter Log Parameters ......................................... 38
Table 13-36: Head Cleaning Page ............................................................... 39
Table 13-37: Clean Head Log Parameters ................................................. 39
Table 13-38: Head Cleaning Time Log Parameters.................................... 40
Table 13-39: Cleaning Count Log Parameters............................................ 42
Table 13-40: Drive Page ............................................................................. 43
Table 13-41: Total Power On Time Parameters ......................................... 44
Table 13-42: Cartridge Load Counter Parameters...................................... 45
Table 13-43: Servo Page ............................................................................ 46
Table 13-44: Servo Lock Retry Log Parameters........................................ 47
Table 13-45: Servo Track Seek Log Parameters....................................... 48
Table 13-46: Write Servo Lock Lost Counter Log Parameters .................. 49
Table 13-47: Write Servo Dropout Log Parameters.................................... 50
Table 13-48: Read Servo Lock Lost Counter Log Parameters .................. 51
Table 13-49: Read Servo Dropout Log Parameters.................................... 52
Table 13-50: Track Number Page ............................................................... 53
Table 13-51: Cartridge Usage Page............................................................ 54
Table 13-52: Cartridge Serial Number Parameters..................................... 55
Table 13-53: Cartridge Load Counter Parameters...................................... 56
Table 13-54: Cartridge BOT Pass Counter Log Parameters ....................... 58
Table 13-55: Cartridge EOT Pass Counter Log Parameters ....................... 59
Table 13-56: Cartridge Write Pass Counter Log Parameters ...................... 60
Table 13-57: Cartridge Motion Time Log Parameters.................................. 61
Table 13-58: Compression Ratio Page ....................................................... 62
Table 13-59 Write Compression Ratio Log Parameter ................................ 63
Table 13-60: Read Decompression Log Parameter..................................... 64
Table 13-61: Write Compression Interval 1 Log Parameter......................... 65
Table 13-62: Write Compression Interval 2 Log Parameter......................... 66
Table 13-63: Write Compression Interval 3 Log Parameter......................... 67
Table 13-64: Write Compression Interval 4 Log Parameter......................... 68
Table 13-65: Write Compression Interval 5 Log Parameter......................... 69
Table 14-1: MODE SELECT Command Descriptor Block ............................ 1
Table 14-2: MODE SELECT Header List...................................................... 3
Table 14-3: Available Tape Speeds for SLR140............................................ 3
Table 14-4: Available Tape Speeds for SLR100............................................ 4
Table 14-5: Available Tape Speeds for SLR75.............................................. 4
Table 14-6: Available Tape Speeds for SLR60.............................................. 4

Tandberg Data Table of Contents
xi Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
Table 14-7: Available Tape Speeds for SLR50............................................. 5
Table 14-8: Available Tape Speeds for SLR7................................................ 5
Table 14-9: MODE SELECT Block Descriptor List ....................................... 6
Table 14-10: Density codes, formats and suitable medium .......................... 6
Table 14-11: Type of Media Related to Tape Format ................................... 8
Table 14-12: Fixed Block Lengths................................................................. 9
Table 14-13: Legal Block Lengths (bytes)................................................... 10
Table 14-14: Read-Write Error Recovery Page Descriptor......................... 11
Table 14-15: Disconnect/Reconnect Page Descriptor ................................ 13
Table 14-16: Control Mode Page Descriptor............................................... 16
Table 14-17: Data Compression Page Descriptor ...................................... 18
Table 14-18: Device Configuration Page Descriptor................................... 20
Table 14-19: Medium Partitions Page......................................................... 23
Table 14-20: Maximum Additional Partitions................................................ 24
Table 14-21: Using the FDP, SDP and IDP bits.......................................... 25
Table 14-22: Informational Exceptions Control Page.................................. 27
Table 14-23: Miscellaneous Page Descriptor ............................................. 29
Table 14-24: BSYI Usage............................................................................. 31
Table 14-25: BSYA Usage ........................................................................... 31
Table 14-26: User Page 0 Page Descriptor ................................................ 35
Table 14-27: User Page 1 Page Descriptor ................................................ 36
Table 14-28: Cartridge Manufacturer Data Parameters.............................. 37
Table 15-1: MODE SENSE Command Descriptor Block .............................. 2
Table 15-2: MODE SENSE Header List........................................................ 3
Table 15-3: MODE SENSE Block Descriptor List ......................................... 5
Table 16-1: PREVENT/ALLOW MEDIUM REMOVAL Cdb ........................... 1
Table 17-1: READ Command Descriptor Block ............................................ 2
Table 17-2: Illegal Length Summary .............................................................. 6
Table 18-1: READ BLOCK LIMITS Command Descriptor Block .................. 1
Table 18-2: READ BLOCK LIMITS Data....................................................... 1
Table 19-1: READ BUFFER Command Descriptor Block............................. 1
Table 19-2: Read Buffer Modes ..................................................................... 2
Table 19-3: Read Buffer ID’s.......................................................................... 2
Table 19-4: READ BUFFER Descriptor List.................................................. 5
Table 19-5: Buffer Capacity............................................................................ 6
Table 20-1: READ POSITION Command Descriptor Block.......................... 2
Table 20-2: READ POSITION Data .............................................................. 3
Table 21-1: RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS Command Block................ 1
Table 21-2: The Header Page........................................................................ 3
Table 21-3: The Diagnostic Pages ................................................................. 4
Table 21-4: Supported Page Codes.............................................................. 5
Table 21-5: The Stand Alone Diagnostic Page ............................................. 6
Table 22-1: RELEASE Command Descriptor Block..................................... 1
Table 23-1: REQUEST SENSE Command Descriptor Block ....................... 1
Table 23-2: REQUEST SENSE Parameter List ............................................ 2
Table 23-3: Sense Key Specific Information, Invalid Fields........................... 3
Table 23-4: Sense Keys ................................................................................. 5
Table 23-5: Additional Sense Code and Qualifier (to be continued…) ......... 6
Table 24-1: RESERVE Command Descriptor Block ..................................... 2
Table 25-1: REWIND Command Descriptor Block........................................ 1
Table 26-1: SEND DIAGNOSTIC Command Descriptor Block..................... 1
Table 26-2: SEND DIAGNOSTICS Functions............................................... 2
Table 27-1: SPACE Command Descriptor Block .......................................... 2
Table 28-1: TEST UNIT READY Command Descriptor Block ...................... 1
Table 28-2: TEST UNIT READY Response................................................... 1
Table 29-1: VERIFY Command Descriptor Block ........................................ 2
Table 30-1: WRITE Command Descriptor Block........................................... 2
Table 30-2: Legal Media/Drive Combinations ............................................... 5
Table 31-1: WRITE BUFFER Command Descriptor Block ........................... 1

Tandberg Data Table of Contents
xii Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
Table 31-2: Supported Modes....................................................................... 2
Table 31-3: Microcode Data Format.............................................................. 5
Table 32-1: WRITE FILEMARKS Command Descriptor Block ..................... 1

1-1 Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
1. Introduction
1.1. General
This manual covers the SCSI Specifications for the
Tandberg SLR Product Line Tape Drives. Currently there
are six available models:
Tandberg SLR140
Tandberg SLR100
Tandberg SLR75
Tandberg SLR60
Tandberg SLR50
Tandberg SLR7
This manual replaces Part no. 430743–12, titled,
“Tandberg SLR7, SLR50, SLR60, SLR75, SLR100. SCSI
Interface Functional Specification.”
The main differences between the five models are
capacity, data transfer rate and the medium types
supported. The following table shows the different
capacities and read/write compatibility for the various
drive models.
Medium Type1Capacity2SLR7 SLR50 SLR60 SLR75 SLR100 SLR140
SLRtape140 70/140 Gbyte N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Read/Write
SLRtape100 50/100 Gbyte N/A N/A N/A N/A Read/Write Read/Write
SLRtape75 38/75 Gbyte N/A N/A Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write
SLRtape60 30/60 Gbyte N/A N/A Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write
SLRtape50 25/50 Gbyte N/A Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write
SLRtape40 20/40 Gbyte N/A N/A Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write
SLRtape7 20/40 Gbyte Read/Write N/A Read Read Read Read
SLR32 16/32 Gbyte N/A Read/Write Read Read Read N/A
SLRtape24 12/24 Gbyte N/A Read/Write Read Read Read N/A
SLR5 4/8 Gbyte Read Read Read Read N/A N/A
DC9250 2.5/5 Gbyte N/A Read Read3Read N/A N/A
Table 1-1: Capacity and medium types
If a certain functional specification is valid for a
particular drive, two methods are used to separate the
different specifications throughout this manual:
1)
The specific functional specification is marked out
with horizontal lines, or
2)
Footnotes are used to indicate for which drive the
specification applies.
The specifications described in this publication are
subject to change without notice.
1All drives supports different variants of these medium types. See
table 30-3 for details.
2The highest number is with 2:1 data compression.
The actual capacity on brand new or old and worn tapes may be lower.
3On SLR60 tape drives with MAN. DATE 2802 (July 2002) or higher.

Tandberg Data Introduction
1-2 Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
1.2. Overview
Chapter 2 Describes tape streamers in general and the Tandberg SLR
Product Line Tape Drives in particular. The chapter also
describes volume partitioning, the overwrite function,
the usage of fixed and variable length data blocks, the
data buffer system and data compression.
Chapter 3 Gives a description of the SCSI logical characteristics
as implemented by the Tandberg SLR Product Line Tape
Drives.
Chapter 4 Specifies the SCSI Command Descriptor Blocks (CDB) in
general.
Chapter 5 Lists the Status Bytes implemented by the Tandberg SLR
Product Line Tape Drives.
Chapter 6 Describes the SCSI Message system as implemented by the
Tandberg SLR Product Line Tape Drives.
Chapter 7 Specifies the Tandberg SLR Product Line Tape Drives
exception handling in general.
Chapters 8 - 32 Detailed specifications of the SCSI commands.

Tandberg Data Introduction
1-3 Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
1.3. Glossary
BOM Beginning Of Medium. The extreme position along the medium
in the direction from the supply-reel, which can be
accessed by the use of a REWIND command.
BOP Beginning Of Partition. The position at the beginning of the
permissible recording region of a partition. If only one
partition is defined, this position is equivalent to BOM
(see above).
BOT Beginning Of Tape. Physical marker on the tape marking the
start of the useful area of the tape (located at BOM,
see above).
CDB Command Descriptor Block. The structure used to communicate
commands from an Initiator to a Target.
Compression Block
Group
A group of compressed data recorded as one variable
length block. The Compression Block Group either
contains a number of host-defined logical fixed length
blocks, or a complete or partial host-defined variable
length logical block. The Compression Block Group also
contains a Compression Header as its initial sequence of
data.
Compression
Header
A sequence of uncompressed data at the beginning of each
Compression Block Group. The Compression Header contains
specific information related to this Compression Block
Group.
Disconnect The action that occurs when a SCSI device releases
control of the SCSI-bus, allowing it to go to the BUS
FREE phase.
EOD End Of Data. A tape format specific end-of-data indication
on the current partition. The recording medium may be
positioned at EOD by reading until the Drive signals an
EOD exception or by issuing a SPACE command with a Space
Code of 3 (Space to End-Of-Data).
EOM End Of Medium. The extreme position along the medium in
the direction from the take-up-reel, which can be
accessed by the device. This position may be accessed by
the use of a LOAD/UNLOAD command with the EOT-bit set to
one.
EOP End Of Partition. The position at the end of the permissible
recording area of a partition. If only one partition is
defined, this position is equivalent to EOM (see above).
EOT End Of Tape. Physical marker on the tape marking the end
of the useful area of the tape (located at EOM, see
above).
EW Early Warning. Physical tape-mark near - but logically
before - EOP (independent of physical direction).
Field A group of one or more contiguous bits. Fields
containing only one bit are usually referred to as the
XX bit instead of the XX field.
Initiator SCSI-bus Device issuing SCSI commands to a SCSI Target.
LED Light Emitting Diode. An indicator on the front of the
Drive.
LEW Logical Early Warning. Simulated EW marker on the last track
on each partition. LEW is moved some distance in front
of the actual EW.
LSB Least Significant Bit.
LUN Logical Unit Number.
MLR Multi Channel Linear Recording.
MSB Most Significant Bit.

Tandberg Data Introduction
1-4 Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
Overlength The incorrect length condition that exists after
executing a read group command, when the length of the
actual block read exceeds the requested transfer length
in the command descriptor block (CDB).
Page Several commands use regular parameter structures that
are referred to as pages. These pages are identified
with a value known as a page code.
Parameter A structure containing one or more fields.
Partition The entire region of recording and reading paths in a
volume or in a portion of a volume.
Reconnect The act of re-establishing the physical Initiator/Target
connection. A Target reconnects to an Initiator by
issuing RESELECTION and MESSAGE IN phases after winning
arbitration.
Reserved The term used for bits, fields and code values that are
set aside for future standardization.
SCSI Small Computer Systems Interface. Industry standard computer
peripheral interface. Used to connect several devices
via a common data and control bus.
SCSI address The representation of the unique address (0-7) assigned
to a SCSI device. This address would normally be
assigned and set in the SCSI device during system
initialization.
SCSI ID The bit-significant representation of the SCSI address
referring to one of the SCSI-bus data lines.
Signal assertion The act of driving a signal to the true state.
Signal de-assertion The act of driving a signal to the false state.
SLR Scaleable Linear Recording.
Status One byte of information sent from a Target to an
Initiator upon completion of each command.
Third-party When used in reference to RESERVE or RELEASE commands,
third-party means a reservation made on behalf of
another device.
Target SCSI-bus Device receiving/executing SCSI commands.
TLA Three Letter Acronym.
Track Set A logical collection of N physical tracks which are
written or read simultaneously. A track set can be
viewed as a logical track that holds N times as much
data as a physical track and can transfer data N times
as fast as a physical track. A track set may consist of
only a single track, i.e. N = 1.
Underlength The incorrect length condition that exists after
executing a read group command when the requested
transfer length in the command descriptor block (CDB)
exceeds the length of the actual block read.
Volume A recording medium together with its physical carrier.

Tandberg Data Introduction
1-5 Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
1.4. Additional Reference Documentation
[1] Tandberg Data ASA, “ Tandberg SLR Product Line
Reference Manual” , Revision 6, Publ. No. 9031-
6, December 1999.
[2] American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-2,
Enhanced Small Computer System Interface” , ANSI
Standard X3.131-1994.
[3] American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-3,
Primary Commands” , ANSI Working Draft
X3T10/995D, Revision 11a, 28 March 1997.
[4] American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-3
Stream Device Command Set” , ANSI Working Draft
X3T10/997D, Revision 22, 1-Jan-2000.
[5] American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-3
Interlocked Protocol” , ANSI Working Draft
X3T10/856D, Revision 10, 31 Mar 1996.
[6] American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-3
Parallel Interface” , ANSI Working Draft
X3T10/855D, Revision 15a.
American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-3
Parallel Interface 2” , ANSI Working Draft
X3T10/855D, Revision 20b.
[7] QIC, “ Development Standard For 1/4-inch
Cartridge Tape Drive SCSI-2 Interface” , QIC-
121, Revision P, 14-Dec-1995.
[8] QIC, “ Adaptive Lossless Data Compression” ,
QIC-154, Revision A, 10-Mar-1994.
[9] QIC, “ Serial Recorded Magnetic Tape Cartridge
For Information Interchange” , QIC-2GB-DC,
Revision B, 10-Mar-1994.
[10] QIC, “ Serial Recorded Magnetic Tape Cartridge
For Information Interchange” , QIC-4GB-DC,
Revision B, 20-Apr-1997.
[11] Tandberg Data ASA, “ Serial Recorded Magnetic
Tape Cartridge For Information Interchange” ,
SLR6 Tape Format, Revision A, 1998.
[12] QIC, “ Serial Recorded Magnetic Tape Cartridge
For Information Interchange” , QIC-5010-DC,
Revision E, 15-Dec-1994.
[13] Tandberg Data ASA, “ Serial Recorded Magnetic
Tape Cartridge For Information Interchange” ,
MLR3 Tape Format, Revision A, 30-Aug-1995.
[14] Tandberg Data ASA, “ Advanced Linear Recording
Format 1” , ALRF-1, Revision B, 22-Apr-1998.
[15] QIC, “ Serial Recorded Magnetic Tape Cartridge
For Information Interchange” , QIC-CRF1,
Revision J, 15 Jun 1995.
[16] Tandberg Data ASA, “ Advanced Linear Recording
Format 2” , ALRF-2, Revision 1. 24-Apr-2000.
[17] Tandberg Data ASA, “ Advanced Linear Recording
Format 6” , ALRF-6, Revision 2.00-Oct-2002
[18] American National Standards Institute, “ SCSI-3
Fast-20” , ANSI Working Draft X3T10/1071D,
Revision 6.

Tandberg Data Introduction
1-6 Tandberg SLR Product Line SCSI Functional Specifications
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