Caution Indicator
The DDS drive continually monitors the number of errors it has to correct
when reading or writing a tape. This information is presented to the user
through the Caution Indicator (see above chart).
A caution indication has two common meanings:
The tape heads need cleaning.
The tape itself is approaching the end of its useful life.
Maximum Usage of DDS Cassettes
Under optimal environmental conditions (50% relative humidity, 22
Hewlett-Packard DDS cassettes are currently specied to 2000 passes over
any part of the tape. In operational terms, this can be translated into
approximately 200 to 300 backup operations. This takes into account that,
during a backup, an area of tape may have several passes because streaming
cannot be maintained, or because the backup software requires that certain
areas of the tape are accessed frequently.
Under certain conditions, the recommended number of backup operations needs
to be reduced. These conditions are as follows:
Sustained use at low humidity.
Use in a low-performance workstation, requiring an increased number of
passes.
Backup software requiring certain areas of the tape being accessed frequently.
As a guideline, HP recommends that the number of backup operations should
be limited to 100 per cassette in extreme cases of the above conditions.
In Case of Difficulty
If you experience any problems with the operation of the new drive, contact
your HP service representative for assistance.
DRAFT
2/5/97 11:31
Configuring HP-UX for Printers and Drives 5-31
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