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