Tape Format; Introduction; Tape Partitioning; Track Positions - Seagate STT20000A Product Manual

Tape Format

Tape format

Introduction

Tape partitioning

Track positions

STT20000A Product Manual
The STT20000A conforms to the QIC-3220-MC recording format standard. This
format is for streaming magnetic tape in a minicartridge that is to be used for
information interchange among information processing systems, communication
systems, and associated equipment.
This chapter provides an overview of the tape format used by the STT20000A.
The drive uses factory pre-written Travan TR-5 media. The tape is always divided
into two partitions:
•
Partition 1 is the directory partition and is recorded on the Directory track only.
•
Partition 0 contains the data (tracks 0 through 107) and is recorded on all tracks
except the Directory track.
Recording data at 100,400 bits per inch (BPI), the drive can store 10.0 GB on the
data partition of one 740-foot long, 0.315-inch (8.0 mm) wide Travan TR-5 tape.
Using software data compression, these capabilities are typically doubled.
The recording format and partitioning support Quick File Access (QFA).
The centermost track is called the Directory Track and has larger guard bands on
both sides of it to allow it to be written without interfering with its adjacent tracks.
Track zero is the track immediately below the Directory Track. The even numbered
tracks are positioned sequentially below track 0. Thus, track 2 is below track 0, and
track 4 is below track 2, and so on down to track 70, which is the closest to the
reference edge of the tape. (The reference edge is the edge of the tape that is
nearest to the baseplate of the cartridge.)
Track 1 is the track immediately below the Directory Track. The odd numbered
tracks are positioned sequentially up from track 1. Thus, track 3 is above track 1,
and track 5 is above track 3, and so up to track 71, which is the closest to the upper
edge of the tape.
Chapter 6
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