01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 Tape Drive Densities and Special Files SPECIAL NOTICES Information in this document is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of this writing. Please send feedback by fax to "AIXServ Information" at (512) 823-4009. Please use this information with care. IBM will not be responsible for damages of any kind resulting from its use. The use of this information is the sole responsibility of the customer and depends on the customer's ability to eval- uate and integrate this information into the customer's operational environment. ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT This document addresses some common questions about tape drives, densities, and rmtX.Y special files. This document is applicable to AIX versions 3.2 and 4.1. For detailed information concerning all supported tape drives, see Chapter 10 of the IBM RISC System/6000 System Management Guide, SC23-2457. Densities and Tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7206 Model 001 4mm, 7206 Model 005 4mm, 2mm Tape Drives 2 7207 Model 001 1/4" Internal and External Tape Drives, QIC-150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7207 Model 011 1/4" Tape Drive, QIC-525 . . . . . . . 3 7207 Model 012 1/4" Tape Drive, QIC-1000 . . . . . . 3 7208 Model 001 8mm External and 2.3GB Internal Drive 4 7208 Model 011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 9348 Model 012 9-Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 How to Change the Density Settings . . . . . . . . . . 5 Using the rmtX.Y Special Files . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 An Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Media Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Cleaning Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Reader's Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 DENSITIES AND TAPES The following table lists tapes that can be used with the IBM 7207-001 (QIC-150), 7207-011 (QIC-525), and 7207-012 (QIC-1000) tape drives. Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 1 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 Tape Type Model 001 Model 011 Model 012 --------- --------- --------- --------- DC300XLP R R R DC600A R/W (15) R * R * DC6150 R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) DC6250 R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) DC6037 R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) DC6320 R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) R/W (15,16) DC6525 R ** R/W (15,16,17) R/W (15,16,17) DC9100 N/A N/A R/W (21) DC9120 N/A N/A R/W (21) NOTE: R Read only R/W Read and write N/A Not compatible * Not recommended -- will cause excessive wear to read/write head ** Not recommended -- will clog read/write head ( ) Numbers in parenthesis are allowable density settings. For greatest capacity, use the highest number. DENSITY SETTING TAPE FORMAT 15 QIC 120 16 QIC 150 17 QIC 525 21 QIC 1000 You can predefine two writing-density settings which you can later choose by specifying the "Y" extension of the rmtX.Y special file. If you do not define the settings, the default settings for the tape drive will be used. The following charts in the left-hand column show possible values for the density settings with various tape drives. The charts in the right-hand column show the tapes that can be used with the drives. 7206 Model 001 4mm, 7206 Model 005 4mm, 2mm Tape Drives Density Setting Description --------------- ----------- 19 Writes in DDS (Digital Data Storage) format (not modifiable for 4mm) --------------- ------------ 00 Factory power-on default of DDS format (not modifiable for 4mm) NOTE: Less than 324 listed as "other SCSI Tape Drive". 324 and greater: 4mm listed as either 2.0 GB 4mm tape drive or 4.0 GB 4mm tape drive. NOTE: The drive is always in compression mode. Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 2 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 Part Number Cartridge Type 4mm Usage ----------- ------------------ ------------ 21F8758 Data ----------- ------------------ ------------ 21F8763 Cleaning 50 cleanings NOTE: Be sure to use data dat tapes instead of voice dat tapes with the 7206 4mm tape drive. Voice tapes will not work. Data dat tapes are marked "DDS ||||" on the car- tridge. 7207 Model 001 1/4" Internal and External Tape Drives, QIC-150 Density Setting Description --------------- ----------- 16 Writes in QIC 150 format --------------- ------------------------ 15 Writes in QIC 120 format --------------- ------------------------ 00 Factory power-on default for QIC 150 or last saved permanent MODE select density as set by using system Part Number Cartridge Type 1/4" Usage ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8588 Data QIC-150 or QIC-120 ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8570 Cleaning 50 cleanings 7207 Model 011 1/4" Tape Drive, QIC-525 Density Setting Description --------------- ------------------------- 17 Writes in QIC 525 format --------------- ------------------------- 16 Writes in QIC 150 format --------------- ------------------------- 15 Writes in QIC 120 format --------------- ------------------------- 00 Factory power-on default for QIC 525 or last saved permanent MODE select density as set by using system Part Number Cartridge Type 1/4" Usage ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8587 Data QIC-525 ------- ---- ------------------ 21F8588 Data QIC-150 or QIC-120 ------- ---- ------------------ 21F8570 Cleaning 50 cleanings 7207 Model 012 1/4" Tape Drive, QIC-1000 Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 3 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 Density Setting Description --------------- ------------------------- 21 Writes in QIC 1000 format --------------- ------------------------- 17 Writes in QIC 525 format --------------- ------------------------- 16 Writes in QIC 150 format --------------- ------------------------- 15 Writes in QIC 120 format --------------- ------------------------ 00 Factory power-on default for QIC 1000 or last saved permanent MODE select density as set by using system Part Number Cartridge Type 1/4" Usage ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8732 Data QIC-1000 ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8587 Data QIC-525 ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8588 Data QIC-150 or QIC-120 ----------- ------------------- ------------------ 21F8570 Cleaning 50 cleanings 7208 Model 001 8mm External and 2.3GB Internal Drive Density Setting Description --------------- ------------------------------------------- 00 Drive is single density -- 2.3GB; There is no Density 1 and 2 for this drive. --------------- ------------------------------------------- 00 Factory power-on default Part Number Cartridge Type 8mm Usage ----------- ------------------ ------------- 21F8595 Data 2.3 GB ----------- ------------------ ------------- 21F8593 Cleaning 12 cleanings 7208 Model 011 012 8mm External and 5.0GB; 7.0 Internal Drive Density Setting Description --------------- ------------------------------------------- 140 Writes in 5.0GB mode and will enable data compression; also, to do compression you must use "DATA COMPRESSION = yes" --------------- ------------------------------------------- 21 Writes in 5.0GB mode and will NOT do data compression --------------- ------------------------------------------- 20 Writes in 2.3GB mode and will NOT do data compression --------------- ------------------------------------------- 00 Factory power-on default for 5.0GB data compression mode Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 4 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 Part Number Cartridge Type 8mm Usage ----------- ------------------ ------------------------- 21F8595 Data 2.3 & 5.0 GB, 112M length ----------- ------------------ ------------------------- 21F8593 Cleaning 35 cleanings ----------- ------------------ ------------------------- Data 7.0 GB 160m length 9348 Model 012 9-Track Density Setting Description --------------- ---------------------------- 2 Writes in 1600 bits per inch --------------- ---------------------------- 3 Writes in 6250 bits per inch HOW TO CHANGE THE DENSITY SETTINGS For a listing of possible values for the density settings for various tape drives see "Densities and Tapes". 1. At the command line, type the following: smit tape 2. Select "Change/Show Characteristics of a Tape Drive". 3. Look for the name of your tape drive. 4. If you see the name of the tape drive, determine its rmt numeric identifier, and select it. 5. If you do not see the name of your drive, look for "Other SCSI Tape Drive," determine its rmt identifier; then select it. 6. At the bottom of the menu, you will see: DENSITY setting #1 { } DENSITY setting #2 { } To select a writing density, type in the number which corresponds to the desired density for the tape drive model you have. NOTES: a. Do not type in the QIC number or gigabyte number. Enter instead the corresponding number as shown in "Densities and Tapes". b. Do not use leading "0"s. "015" IS NOT the same as "15" Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 5 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 USING THE RMTX.Y SPECIAL FILES The rmtX.Y file is used in commands, such as backup, to specify the tape drive device. For example, backup -0 -u / /dev/rmt0 The "X" part of the rmtX.Y file name specifies which tape drive is used. The first tape drive connected is "rmt0", the second is "rmt1", etc. The "Y" extension on the file name specifies the tape drive action and writing density as shown in the following chart: Special File Retension Rewind Density Setting ------------ --------- ------ --------------- rmtX no yes 1 ------------ --------- ------ --------------- rmtX.1 no no 1 ------------ --------- ------- ---------------- rmtX.2 yes yes 1 ------------ --------- ------- ---------------- rmtX.3 yes no 1 ------------ --------- ------- ---------------- rmtX.4 no yes 2 ------------ --------- ------- ---------------- rmtX.5 no no 2 ------------ --------- ------- ---------------- rmtX.6 yes yes 2 ------------ --------- ------- ---------------- rmtX.7 yes no 2 AN EXAMPLE Suppose you have a 7207 1/4" tape drive and you have set Density #1 = 16 and Density #2 = 15. If you use special file "rmt0.3", the drive will write in QIC 150 density, will not rewind, and will retension. If you use special file "rmt0.6", the drive will write in QIC 120 density, rewind, and retension. MEDIA SUPPLIES Purchase supplies and accessories from IBM's authorized dis- tributors, or call 1-800-IBM-2468 for purchasing informa- tion. CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS o Clean your tape drive at the recommended interval. o Clean your tape drive more frequently if it is used in a harsh environment. Refer to your tape drive documenta- tion. o Clean your tape drive with the correct cleaning car- tridge before calling for service. Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 6 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 o Use the correct media for your drive. Not all media can support all writing densities because the type of media determines the writing density. WARRANTY INFORMATION If you use unsupported media, including unsupported cleaning media, you will void your warranty. Video grade tapes are NOT supported. Tape Drive Densities and Special Files 7 01/23/96, 4FAX 1896 READER'S COMMENTS Please fax this form to (512) 823-4009, attention "AIXServ Informa- tion". You may also e-mail comments to: elizabet@austin.ibm.com. These comments should include the same customer information requested below. Use this form to tell us what you think about this document. If you have found errors in it, or if you want to express your opinion about it (such as organization, subject matter, appearance) or make sug- gestions for improvement, this is the form to use. If you need technical assistance, contact your local branch office, point of sale, or 1-800-CALL-AIX (for information about support offer- ings). These services may be billable. Faxes on a variety of sub- jects may be ordered free of charge from 1-800-IBM-4FAX. Outside the U.S. call 415-855-4329 using a fax machine phone. 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