8505XL 8-mm Tape Drive Owner’s Guide Document Number 007-3086-001
CONTRIBUTORS Written by Pablo Rozal Illustrated by Dan Young and Cheri Brown Edited by Christina Cary Production by Derrald Vogt Engineering contributions by Roy Hughes, Robert Clark, Dale Witt, Bill Yergin Cover design and illustration by Rob Aguilar, Rikk Carey, Dean Hodgkinson, Erik Lindholm, and Kay Maitz © Copyright 1995 Silicon Graphics, Inc.— All Rights Reserved This document contains proprietary and confidential information of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Contents List of Figures v List of Tables vii About This Guide ix Typographical Conventions 1.
Contents 2. 3. iv Operating the Tape Drive 17 Reading the LEDs 17 Selecting Data Cartridges 19 Write-Protecting a Data Cartridge Loading a Data Cartridge 20 Unloading a Data Cartridge 21 Resetting the Tape Drive 21 20 Preventive Maintenance 23 Recommended Cleaning Cartridges 23 Determining When to Clean the Tape Drive Using the Cleaning Cartridge 24 Caring for Data Cartridges 25 Replacing Data Cartridges 26 4.
List of Figures Figure 1-1 Figure 1-2 Figure 1-3 Figure 1-4 Figure 1-5 Figure 1-6 Figure 1-7 Figure 2-1 Figure 2-2 Removing/Installing the Drive From/On the Drive Sled 5 Setting the SCSI ID (Default Setting Shown) 6 Setting the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation 8 Installing the Tape Drive Into a Horizontal Drive Bay 10 Installing the Tape Drive Into a Vertical Drive Bay 11 Write-Enable/Disable Switch 13 Loading a Data Cartridge 14 8505XL Front Panel 18 Unload Button 21 v
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List of Tables Table 1-1 Table 2-1 Table 2-2 Table A-1 Problems and Possible Solutions 15 LED States and Interpretations 18 8505XL Tape Capacity 19 Drive Specifications 31 vii
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About This Guide This guide helps you set up, install, and operate the 8505XL tape drive. The 8505XL uses 8-mm format tapes and installs in most of the existing Silicon Graphics© systems and data storage units that support single-ended, front-loading drives (FLDs). Note: For a list of products that currently support the 8505XL tape drive, see “Products that Support the 8505XL” on page 1.
About This Guide Typographical Conventions These type conventions and symbols are used throughout this guide: Italics Filenames, variables, IRIX® command arguments, command flags, titles of publications, icon names. Screen type Code examples, file excerpts, and screen displays (including error messages). Bold Screen type User input. x () (Parentheses) Following IRIX commands, they surround the reference page (man page) section where the command is described. For example, grep (1).
Chapter 1 1. Installation This chapter provides information for the following tasks: • preparing for installation • installing the tape drive • installing the software driver Note: The 8505XL requires either IRIX 5.3, 6.1 or later software. If your system already has IRIX 6.1, software driver installation is not required. • testing your installation To install the tape drive properly, follow all of the instructions in this chapter.
Chapter 1: Installation Preparing for Installation To prepare for installation, follow the steps described in this chapter. 1. Ensure ESD protection (see “Ensuring ESD Protection” on page 2). 2. Unpack the tape drive and save the packing materials (see “Unpacking the Tape Drive and Saving the Materials” on page 3). 3. Check the tape drive accessories (see “Checking the Tape Drive Accessories” on page 3).
Installing the Tape Drive Unpacking the Tape Drive and Saving the Materials Carefully remove the tape drive from its box. Save all the original packaging materials in case you need to reship the tape drive. The tape drive’s packaging helps protect the tape drive from shock, vibration, moisture, and electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Chapter 1: Installation Before setting the tape drive’s SCSI ID, determine the SCSI IDs of all the other SCSI devices currently attached to your bus (for example, a hard drive or a CD-ROM reader). Caution: SCSI ID 0 is reserved for the system controller and cannot be used. The tape drive is shipped with the SCSI ID set to 6. If you are installing the tape drive on an existing SCSI bus and another device (for example, a hard drive) is already assigned to that ID, you must change the tape drive’s ID.
Installing the Tape Drive 1. Remove the four screws that secure the drive to the bottom of the mounting sled (see Figure 1-1) and set them aside. Exabyte drive Power connector Data connector cable A Drive sled SCSI channel adapter board Figure 1-1 Removing/Installing the Drive From/On the Drive Sled 2. Remove the drive adapter and power cables from the 8505XL (see Figure 1-1) and then place the drive on an anti-static surface. 3.
Chapter 1: Installation 1 3 5 2 4 6 SCSI ID 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure 1-2 4. Setting the SCSI ID (Default Setting Shown) Using a pair of flat-nose pliers, slide the small plastic jumpers over the pins on the jumper block to obtain the desired address. Extra jumpers are shipped in a separate bag. Save the unused jumpers in case you need to select a different SCSI ID later. Caution: Do not allow loose jumpers to fall inside the tape drive. 6 5.
Installing the Tape Drive 7. Install the four screws that secure the bottom of the drive to the drive sled (see Figure 1-1). Configuring the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation The 8505XL drive sled assembly houses a SCSI channel adapter board. You must ensure that the drive sled assembly is set to single-ended operation. Caution: Use proper handling and storage procedures to minimize the loss of data and equipment. In particular, do not remove disk drives while they are operating.
Chapter 1: Installation Single−ended, 50−pin SCSI drive on channel A No jumpers set; reserved for future use. B A A Channel A = single−ended H1 H2 A Figure 1-3 B Channel B = differential Setting the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation Note: Your system disk should always be set to SCSI ID 1. Be sure each SCSI device on a bus has a unique SCSI address (ID). The SCSI bus cannot function properly if more than one device has the same SCSI ID.
Installing the Tape Drive Follow these instructions to install a half-height front-loading device: Installing Into a Horizontal Drive Bay Follow these instructions to install the drive into a horizontal drive bay. 1. Orient the FLD and sled assembly so that the connectors on the back are on the bottom half of the drive and face away from you (see Figure 1-4). 2.
Chapter 1: Installation Slide drive lever left to lock sled Drive lever in locked position Figure 1-4 10 Installing the Tape Drive Into a Horizontal Drive Bay
Installing the Tape Drive Drive sled Drive Figure 1-5 Installing the Tape Drive Into a Vertical Drive Bay 11
Chapter 1: Installation Turning On Power to the Tape Drive When power is applied to the 8505XL, watch for the following: • All three of the tape drive’s LEDs light. • The tape drive’s 30-second power-on self-test begins. • When the self-test is complete, the top and bottom LEDs turn off; the middle LED is off or flashes irregularly. Caution: Do not insert a data cartridge into the tape drive during the self-test. The tape drive will eject it.
Installing the Tape Drive 1. Locate a data cartridge that does not contain any valuable information and make sure that its write-protect switch is set to write-enable (see Figure 1-6). 2. Gently push the data cartridge as shown (in Figure 1-7) until the load mechanism pulls the cartridge into the drive.
Chapter 1: Installation Figure 1-7 3. 14 Loading a Data Cartridge Wait while the tape drive loads the tape, determines the tape format, and positions the tape to the logical beginning of the tape (LBOT). This takes about 45 seconds. When the green LED is on solid, the tape drive is ready.
Installing the Tape Drive 4. Perform a backup operation to write a small amount of data to the tape (see your IRIX administration documentation, as required). 5. Rewind the tape and read the data written in step 4 and compare it to the original. This determines whether the software and tape drive are functioning properly. If problems occur, see Table 1-1.
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Chapter 2 2. Operating the Tape Drive This section includes information about the following: • reading the tape drive’s LEDs • selecting data cartridges • setting the write-protect switch on the data cartridge • loading and unloading a data cartridge Reading the LEDs The tape drive uses three LEDs (Figure 2-1) to indicate its operating states. The LEDs indicate the following general conditions: • When the top (orange) LED is flashing, the tape drive has an error or needs cleaning.
Chapter 2: Operating the Tape Drive Unload button Error indicator (orange) SCSI bus activity indicator (green or orange) Tape motion indicator (green) Figure 2-1 8505XL Front Panel Note: You may occasionally observe LED combinations and sequences not described in Table 2-1. These other combinations represent special or unusual conditions that are beyond the scope of this table.
Selecting Data Cartridges Table 2-1 (continued) LED States and Interpretations LED State Top LED (errors) Middle LED (SCSI) Bottom LED (motion) Error Flashing (slowly) Flashing (irregularly) Off Time to clean Flashing (fast) Flashing (irregularly) Flashing (fast) Note: The LEDs flash at different speeds to distinguish between states: • slow flash = 1 flash/second • fast flash = 4 flashes/second • Irregular flash = rate of flash varies with SCSI bus activity.
Chapter 2: Operating the Tape Drive Note: The EXATAPE 160-m XL data cartridges contain a recognition system stripe located on the tape leader for media identification. The 8505XL uses this stripe to distinguish data-quality metal-particle media, such as EXATAPE, from other 160-m media. To maintain data integrity, the 8505XL automatically ejects 160-m data cartridges or equivalent length video cartridges that are not equipped with the recognition system stripe.
Unloading a Data Cartridge Unloading a Data Cartridge The unload button is the only operating control on the tape drive. It is used to unload the data cartridge from the tape drive (see Figure 2-2). Note: You can use the unload button to clear some hardware errors. If a hardware error occurs, press the unload button to reset the tape drive. To unload a data cartridge, press the unload button.
Chapter 2: Operating the Tape Drive 22
Chapter 3 3. Preventive Maintenance The only routine maintenance required by the tape drive is regular cleaning of the tape drive heads and tape path. Proper storage and maintenance of your data cartridges maximizes the shelf life of your tapes and assures data integrity. Recommended Cleaning Cartridges Silicon Graphics recommends that you clean your tape drive with the Exabyte 8 mm cleaning cartridge (supplied with your package) or an Exabyte-approved cartridge.
Chapter 3: Preventive Maintenance Using the Cleaning Cartridge To use the cleaning cartridge, follow these steps: 1. Make sure that the tape drive is on and has run the power-on self-test in Table 2-1 in Chapter 2. 2. Remove any data cartridge from the tape drive. 3. Check the cleaning cartridge to see if there is sufficient cleaning material remaining on the supply reel. If there is no cleaning material remaining, discard the cleaning cartridge and use a new one.
Caring for Data Cartridges Caring for Data Cartridges To maximize the shelf life of your tapes and assure data integrity, follow these guidelines when storing data cartridges: • Place a label or other reference information on the cartridge adjacent to the write-protect switch. On the label, you may want to include the cartridge number (log number), date of backup, and format of the tape. • Keep cartridges in their protective boxes when not in use.
Chapter 3: Preventive Maintenance Replacing Data Cartridges Approximately once each year, you may want to read all information on a tape and check the read error statistics. If errors have increased significantly since the previous test or if they exceed a certain predetermined threshold, you should rearchive the data to a new tape and discard the old tape.
Chapter 4 4. Troubleshooting This chapter provides suggestions for solving problems that may occur when you are installing and operating your tape drive. These suggestions are divided into the following sections: • problems with tape drive installation • problems with the tape drive operation Often you can solve a tape drive problem by trying the steps recommended here. If your problem persists, contact your service provider.
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Problems With Tape Drive Operation Most problems with tape drive operation occur with improper cartridge use. If you have been successfully operating your backup software and tape drive in the past, but are now experiencing problems reading and writing data, check the following: • If you are writing data, make sure that the data cartridge is write enabled. • Check the brand of data cartridge you are using.
Problems With Tape Drive Operation If you are experiencing operating problems loading or unloading a data cartridge, check the following: • Make sure that your system is turned on. If the system is off, the tape drive may not eject the data cartridge. • The tape drive may have experienced a hardware error. Press the unload button to clear the error, then try loading the data cartridge again.
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Appendix A A. Tape Drive Specifications Table A-1 shows the specifications for the 8505XL tape drive. Table A-1 Drive Specifications Parameter Specifications Interface SCSI-1 and SCSI-2, single-ended Capacity 8200 format 262 KB/sec 8200c format 500 KB/sec Note: This assumes a 2:1 compression ratio 8500 format 500 KB/sec 8500c format 1 MB/sec Physical Characteristics Size 1.62” (4.1 cm) high 5.75” (14.6 cm) wide 8” (20.
Appendix A: Tape Drive Specifications Table A-1 (continued) Drive Specifications Parameter Specifications Power and Reliability 32 Input voltages Standard + 5 VDC and +12 VDC 5% Power consumption 14.
