Normal Status Display; Tapealert; Tape Format - Sony SDX-700C Product Specifications Manual

Normal Status Display

4.3.4.2.
After the Diagnostic Display, when no failures are detected, the SDX-700C is in the Normal Status. The LEDs show
various Normal Status (No Error) indications as shown in the table below:
LED
Off No Tape
On Tape Loaded
Flash Slowly Tape Access in Progress
(Write/Read)
Flash Fast Tape Access in Progress
(Others)
All LED Flash Fast H/w Error Occurred

4.4. TapeAlert

1. TapeAlert is a new specification for tape drive and library diagnostics. With this specification, any storage
software application can access detailed device diagnostic information and interpret the information in a
standard way.
2. TapeAlert information shall be accessed using LOG SENSE page 2Eh. TapeAlert configuration shall be
performed using MODE SELECT page 1Ch. The MODE SENSE and MODE SELECT configuration of the
TapeAlert interface is compatible with the information exceptions control page (1Ch). The application client
shall first check the tape drive to determine whether it supports the TapeAlert log page (0x2Eh). The default
application client access to the TapeAlert log page shall be performed using a polling method, with the page
control bits in the LOG SENSE command set to 00h.
3. At minimum, the TapeAlert log page shall be read from the tape drive/autoloader device for the following:
a. At the beginning of a Write/read job, even if the media is not loaded
b. Immediately after an unrecoverable error during the write/read job
c. At the end of each tape when the write/read job spans multiple tapes. If the tape is to be ejected then the
log page shall be read before the tape cartridge is ejected
d. At the end of a write/read job
4. The application client may also poll the TapeAlert log page at regular intervals (e.g. every 60 seconds) while the
tape drive is idle. The application client may use the TapeAlert mode page (1Ch) to configure other access
methods, depending on what options are supported by the tape drive.
5. Each time the application client reads the TapeAlert log page, it shall check all 64 flags to discover which are set
(there may be more than one). The definitions of the 64 flags are device type specific. There is one definition
for tape drive/autoloader devices, and a different definition for stand-alone changer devices (in libraries). For
each flag set, the application client shall communicate the defined error message and severity for that flag to the
user and log it. If multiple flags are set simultaneously, they shall be displayed together in ascending order of
severity. The information read in the TapeAlert flags shall not in itself cause the application client to stop a
current backup or restore operation.

4.5. Tape Format

The SDX-700C is an implementation of the Advanced Intelligent Tape (AIT-1, AIT-2 and AIT-3) format, a standard
developed by Sony for 8mm data storage drives.
- C1,C2, first and second level Error Correction Code, providing correction for random and Burst Symbol errors.
- C3 ECC, third level Error Correction Code, providing correction across frames within groups
- Read-After-Write, where data is verified immediately after it is written and re-written if there is any error.
- Repeat Writing, where every group is repeated a set number of times.
- Randomizer, to reduce inter-symbol interference.
SONY AIT-3 drive SDX-700 series Ver.2.1
Table 4-2: Normal LED indications
Tape Motion Cleaning Request
Cleaning is Not Necessary
Cleaning Request
Cleaning is Not Completed
4.Operation
Replace Tape
No Media Error Occurred
Media Error Occurred
Media Warning
4-5