Procedure 3: Checking Sas Host Connections; Procedure 4: Verifying Host Interface Communications; Resolving Problems Reported By The Server - IBM TS2280 Setup, Operator, And Service Manual

Note:
1. If a damaged or mishandled cartridge is the problem, see "Handling the cartridges" on page 44 for
instructions about handling the media. It is possible that your other cartridges might also be
damaged.
2. If your cartridge does not eject properly, contact your service representative. (IBM service personnel
must go to Appendix E, "Information for trained service personnel," on page 83.)

Procedure 3: Checking SAS host connections

Check the host connections for your drive by following the steps.
If your server is not communicating with the SAS drive, the problem might be with the SAS cable, the
SAS host adapter, or the SAS host adapter setup.
1. Check whether the tape drive power is on.
2. Verify that the SAS cable is connected properly to the server and to the tape drive.
3. Check whether the parameters for the SAS host adapter installation are correct.
4. Verify that the SAS host adaptor is supported by the tape drive.
5. Ensure that there is a point-to-point connectivity between the server and the tape drive. SAS
connectivity does not support multiple drive connections (daisy-chaining of devices).
6. Check the length of the SAS cable. It cannot exceed 5.5 m (18 ft).

Procedure 4: Verifying host interface communications

The Wrap Diagnostic tests the communication function at the device interface. However, to thoroughly
verify host-to-device communications, it is highly recommended to exercise activity over the SAS
interface bus from the host to the drive and back. A recommended utility to complete this test is the
ITDT utility available on the web at http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral. This utility is especially
effective for updating the drive firmware and for completing the Test Device function. For more
information about the ITDT utility, see "Updating firmware" on page 10. Complete these steps:
1. If the ITDT utility is not installed on your system, download the appropriate operating system version
from the web into a directory or folder of your choice.
2. When installation is complete, run the SCAN (s) option to determine whether your system can detect
all of the Ultrium tape drive devices (including any libraries or autoloaders that might be on the bus).
3. Select the drive that is to be tested or to have firmware that is downloaded.
4. For testing, select the Test Device (t) option.
Note: This option completes a series of LOADS, UNLOADS, and WRITE/READ operations. Both
tape drive control commands and data are sent to the device over the interface bus.
5. If allowed to complete, the test runs for at least 30 minutes. At any time an ABORT (a) is entered to
end the device test early if it is determined that interface communications are satisfactorily achieved.

Resolving problems reported by the server

The procedure for fixing interface bus errors varies, depending on whether the error is consistent or
intermittent, and on your configuration. These sections describe how to fix an error.
Fixing SAS bus errors
1. Check whether the tape drive power is on.
2. Verify that the SAS cable is connected properly to the server and to the tape drive.
3. Replace SAS cable if it shows any signs of damage.
61
Troubleshooting