Notice
This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this
document may be photocopied, reproduced or translated to another language without prior written consent of
Sony. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
SONY MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS DOCUMENT. Sony shall not be liable
for errors contained herein, or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the
furnishing, performance, or use of this document.
© Copyright 2004 Sony Corporation
For further information , please contact the appropriate Sony location listed below;
Sony Corporation
Electronic Devices Marketing Group
Tape Streamer Marketing Section
Gate City Osaki West Tower
Osaki East Tec.
1-11-1 Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0032 Japan
TEL: (81) 3-5435-3486 FAX: (81) 3-5435-3565
Sony Electronics Inc.
3300 Zanker Road, San Jose, California 95134,
U.S.A.
TEL: (1) 408-432-1600 FAX: (1) 408-955-5533
TLX: 171331 SJESONY
Sony Europe Semiconductor &
Electronic Solutions
The Heights, Blookland, Weybridge, Surrey KT13
OXW
TEL: (01932) 81-6000 FAX: (01932) 81-7001
Sony of Canada Ltd.
Communications & Information Systems Group
Storage Marketing
115 Gordon Baker Road
Toronto, Ontario M2H 3R6
TEL: (416) 499-1414 FAX: (416) 495-3331
Sony Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd
Electronic Devices Marketing (Singapore)
Computer Peripherals Division Enterprise
Storage Solutions Department
2 International Business Park #01-10
Tower One The Strategy Singapore 609930
TEL: +65 6544 7322 FAX: +65 6544 7392
Sony Korea Corporation.
34F, ASEM Tower, World Trade Center, 159-1
Samsung-Dong, Kangnam-Ku, Seoul, 135-798 Korea
TEL: 82-2-6001-4249
Sony Taiwan Limited, ODS Dept. DS Sect.
5F, 145 Changchun Road, Taipei 104, Taiwan
TEL: (886) 2-2522-7953 FAX: (886) 2-2522-2237
Sony Corp. of Hong Kong Ltd. Beijing Rep. Office
Electronic Device Marketing Hong Kong, Computer
Peripheral Division
Tower A, 11/F Full Link Plaza, No.18
Chaoyangmenwai Ave., Beijing, 100020 P.R.C.
TEL: 86-10-6588-0633 FAX: 86-10-6588-0855
Sony Recording Media & Energy Latin America
Storage Drive Group
5201 Blue Lagoon Drive Suite 390
Miami, FL 33126, U.S.A.
TEL: (1) 305-260-4027 FAX: (1) 305-260-7850
Sony Brasil Ltda.
Informatica Division
Rua Inocencio Tobias, 125-Bloco A 01144-000
Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
TEL: (55) 11-3613-9140 FAX: (55) 11-9158-8200
Changing List
Page Clause Title Modify Add Delete Remarks
SDX-250V Series Ver. 1.0 NOVEMBER, 2004 (RELEASE)
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. About this Product Specification Manual 1- 1
1.2. Introducing the SONY AIT Technology 1- 1
1.3. Features of the Drive 1- 1
1.4. Reference 1- 2
1.4.1. How to get ECMA-222 Standard Document 1- 2
2. Specifications
2.1. Specifications 2- 1
2.1.1. Dimensions 2- 1
2.1.1.1. Mounting Holes 2- 2
2.1.2. Weight 2- 4
2.1.3. Connectors 2- 4
2.1.3.1. SCSI Cables and Terminators 2- 4
2.2. Environmental Specifications 2- 4
2.2.1. Temperature and Humidity Range 2- 4
2.2.2. Altitude 2- 5
2.2.3. Suspected Particulate 2- 5
2.2.4. Vibration 2- 5
2.2.5. Shock 2- 5
2.2.6. Acoustic Noise 2- 5
2.2.7. EMC 2- 5
2.2.8. Orientation 2- 5
2.3. Performance Specification 2- 6
2.3.1. Data Capacity 2- 6
2.3.2. Data Transfer Rate 2- 7
2.3.2.1. Sustained Data Transfer Rate to and from the Tape 2- 7
2.3.2.2. Burst Transfer Rate to and from the SCSI Bus 2- 7
2.3.3. Initialize Time 2- 7
2.3.4. Load Time 2- 7
2.3.5. Unload Time 2- 7
2.3.6. Search Time 2- 7
2.3.7. Rewind Time 2- 7
2.3.8. Error Rate 2- 8
2.3.9. Retry Limits on Rewrites 2- 8
2.3.10. Definition of Failure 2- 8
2.3.11. Mean Time Between Failures 2- 8
2.3.12. Mean Time to Repair 2- 8
2.3.13. Component Life 2- 8
2.3.14. Durability 2- 8
2.4. Safety 2- 9
2.4.1. Conditions of Acceptability 2- 9
2.5. Installation Requirements 2- 9
2.5.1. Power Requirements 2- 9
2.6. Data Compression 2- 10
SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 Table of Contents
3. Installation
3.1. Installation Guide 3- 1
3.1.1. SCSI ID Number Jumper 3- 2
3.1.2. Termination Power Switch 3- 2
3.1.3. Parity Disable Jumper 3- 3
3.1.4. Data Compression ON Switch 3- 3
3.1.5. Power Connector 3- 3
3.1.6. SCSI 68 pin Connector 3- 3
3.1.7. Attaching and Removing the Dust Cover 3- 6
3.1.7.1. Attaching the Dust Cover 3- 6
3.1.7.2. Removing the Dust Cover 3- 7
4. Operation
4.1. Summary of LED Indications 4- 1
4.2. Operator Action 4- 2
4.2.1. Powering up the SDX-250V 4- 2
4.2.2. Inserting Cassettes 4- 2
4.2.3. Removing Cassettes 4- 2
4.2.4. Hard Reset Hole 4- 2
4.2.5. Write-Protecting Cassettes 4- 3
4.3. Internal Function 4- 3
4.3.1. The Load Sequence 4- 3
4.3.2. The Unload Sequence 4- 3
4.3.3. Power-Fail or SCSI Reset Handling 4- 4
4.3.4. Diagnostic and Normal Status Displays 4- 4
4.3.4.1. Diagnostic Status Display 4- 4
4.3.4.2. Normal Status Display 4- 5
4.4. Tape Format 4- 5
4.4.1. Tape Partitions 4- 5
4.4.1.1. Formatting partitions 4- 5
4.5. Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Service 4- 6
4.5.1. Head Cleaning 4- 6
4.5.1.1. Message when cleaning cassette is necessary 4- 6
4.5.1.2 The condition of cleaning request 4- 6
4.5.1.3. Usage of cleaning cassette 4- 6
4.5.2. Troubleshooting Guide 4- 6
4.5.2.1. Operational Problems 4- 7
4.5.2.2. Read/Write Problems 4- 9
4.5.2.3 Replace Tape 4- 9
4.5.2.4. Media Warning 4- 9
4.5.3. Clearance for Service 4- 9
4.5.4. Packaging for Return to Sony 4- 9
SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 Table of Contents
5. SCSI Interface
5.1. Introduction 5- 1
5.1.1. Overview of the SCSI Interface 5- 1
5.1.2. Supported Messages 5- 1
5.1.3. Supported and Unsupported Commands 5- 1
5.2. SCSI BUS Operation 5- 2
5.2.1. Typical SCSI Operation 5- 2
5.2.2. Disconnect 5- 3
5.3. Message Specification 5- 4
5.3.1. COMMAND COMPLETE (00h) 5- 4
5.3.2. EXTENDED MESSAGE (01h) 5- 5
5.3.2.1. SYNCHRONOUS DATA TRANSFER REQUEST (01h) 5- 5
5.3.2.2. WIDE DATA TRANSFER REQUEST 5- 6
5.3.3. SAVE DATA POINTER (02h) 5- 8
5.3.4. RESTORE POINTERS (03h) 5- 8
5.3.5. DISCONNECT (04h) 5- 8
5.3.6. INITIATOR DETECTED ERROR (05h) 5- 8
5.3.7. ABORT (06h) 5- 9
5.3.8. MESSAGE REJECT (07h) 5- 9
5.3.9. NO OPERATION (08h) 5- 9
5.3.10. MESSAGE PARITY ERROR (09h) 5- 9
5.3.11. BUS DEVICE RESET (0Ch) 5- 9
5.3.12. IDENTIFY (80h-FFh) 5- 10
5.3.13. IGNORE WIDE RESIDUE (23h) 5- 10
5.4. Status Specification 5- 10
6. Command Specification
6.1. ERASE 19h 6- 2
6.2. INQUIRY 12h 6- 3
6.3. LOAD/UNLOAD 1Bh 6- 8
6.4. LOCATE 2Bh 6- 9
6.5. LOG SELECT 4Ch 6- 10
6.6. LOG SENSE 4Dh 6- 12
6.6.1. The Log Page Descriptor 6- 13
6.6.2. The Log Parameter Descriptor 6- 14
6.6.3. Supported Log Pages 6- 15
6.6.3.1. Summary List of Supported Pages 6- 15
6.6.4. Write and Read Error Counters Pages 6- 16
6.6.5. Last N Error Events List 6- 17
6.6.6. Tape Log Page (Sony Unique) 6- 18
6.6.7. Tape Capacity Log Page 6- 19
6.6.8. Drive Usage Log Page (Sony Unique) 6- 20
6.6.9. Read and Write Frame Error Counter Page 6- 21
6.6.10. Data Compression Transfer Log Page 6- 22
6.6.11. AIT Log Page (3Ch) 6- 23
6.7. MODE SELECT 15h 6- 26
SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 Table of Contents
6.7.1. Disconnect-Reconnect Page (02h) 6- 29
6.7.2. Data Compression Control Page (0Fh) 6- 30
6.7.3. Device Configuration Page (10h) 6- 32
6.7.4. Medium Partitions Parameter Page (11h) 6- 34
6.7.5. Medium Partitions Parameter Page
(for multi-partitioned tapes)(11h)
6.7.6. Informational Exceptions Control Page (1Ch) 6- 38
6.7.7. AIT Device Configuration Page (31h) 6- 39
6.8. MODE SENSE 1Ah 6- 41
6.8.1. Mode Sense 31h (AIT Device Configuration Page) 6- 43
6.9. PERSISTENT RESERVE IN 5Eh 6- 44
6.10. PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT 5Fh 6- 48
6.11. PREVENT ALLOW MEDIUM REMOVAL 1Eh 6- 50
6.12. READ 08h 6- 51
6.13. READ BLOCK LIMITS 05h 6- 53
6.14. READ BUFFER 3Ch 6- 54
6.15. READ POSITION 34h 6- 56
6.16. RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS 1Ch 6- 58
6.17. RELEASE UNIT 17h 6- 60
6.18. REPORT DENSITY SUPPORT 44h 6- 61
6.19. REPORT LUNS A0h 6- 63
6.20. REQUEST BLOCK ADDRESS 02h 6- 64
6.21. REQUEST SENSE 03h 6- 65
6.22. RESERVE UNIT 16h 6- 73
6.23. REWIND 01h 6- 74
6.24. SEEK BLOCK 0Ch 6- 75
6.25. SEND DIAGNOSTIC 1Dh 6- 76
6.26. SPACE 11h 6- 78
6.26.1. CHECK CONDITION 6- 80
6.26.2. Sony SDX-250V Unique Implementation for SPACE 6- 80
6.26.2.1. Super High Speed Search 6- 80
6.26.2.2. Data Buffer Management 6- 80
6.27. TEST UNIT READY 00h 6- 81
6.28. VERIFY 13h 6- 82
6.29. WRITE 0Ah 6- 84
6.30. WRITE BUFFER 3Bh 6- 86
6.31. WRITE FILEMARKS 10h 6- 88
7. Drive Diagnostics
7.1. Overview 7- 1
7.2. Diagnostic Test 7- 1
7.2.1. Power-on Self Test 7- 1
7.2.2. SEND DIAGNOSTIC command – Self Test 7- 2
7.2.3. SEND DIAGNOSTIC command – Individual Test 7- 2
7.2.4. Diagnostic Test Number Summary 7- 3
7.2.5. RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC RESULT command 7- 4
6- 36
SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 Table of Contents
7.2.6. Diagnostics Results Reference 7- 6
7.2.7. Diagnostic Tests Requiring Additional Parameters 7- 7
7.2.7.1. Error Rate Test (02) Diagnostic Parameters 7- 7
7.2.7.2. Read Data Exerciser (43h) Diagnostic Parameters 7- 9
8. Appendix A: ASC & ASCQ Alphabetic Order
9. Appendix B: ASC & ASCQ Numeric Order
10. Appendix C: SCSI Commands (OP Code Order)
10- 1
11. Appendix D: ASC & ASCQ for AIT (Sony Unique)
11- 1
12. Appendix E: Disaster Recover
12.1. Overview 12- 1
12.2. Creating Disaster Recovery Tape 12- 1
12.3. Configuring the Drive for Disaster Recovery Operation 12- 1
12.4. Exiting DR Mode 12- 1
12.5. Supported CDROM DR Command Set 12- 1
12.5.1. Inquiry (12h) 12- 1
12.5.2. Read 10 (28h) 12- 1
12.5.3. Read Capacity (0x25) 12- 1
12.5.4. Read TOC (0x43) 12- 2
12.5.5. Mode Sense/Select Page Code 0x3C 12- 2
12.6. Reset Handling 12- 2
13. Appendix F: Glossary
13- 1
8- 1
9- 1
SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 Table of Contents
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SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 Table of Contents
1.Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1. About this Product Specification Manual
This Product Specification Manual is applicable for AIT-E Turbo drive.
This manual provides information about the Sony SDX-250V series Advanced Intelligent Tape Drives which is
necessary to integrate the drives into OEM products. This manual describes the specifications, SCSI Interface,
diagnostics, operation and installation of the Sony AIT-E Turbo Tape Drives.
The Sony SDX-250V drive uses data compression to achieve high capacity and high transfer rates. Actual capacity
and transfer rate depends on the source file type. The capacity ratings listed in the next subsection are based on a 98
meter tape AIT-E Turbo cassette. The Sony SDX-250V drive is a high capacity data storage device using Advanced
intelligent tape (AIT) technology. The Sony SDX-250V drive achieves high data integrity through read-after-write, an
additional level of Error Correction Code, and other features.
1.2. Introducing the Sony AIT Technology
While magnetic storage technologies continue to push the envelope of recording density and provide higher
capacities and transfer rates every 18 to 24 months, improvements in time to access this data have become very
limited. Since 1990, tape recording densities have increased up to ten fold, while the time to access this data has
increased less than two fold, creating a large mismatch between the amount of stored data and the ability to access
it.
This large “gap” between data access latency and area density has created a dilemma in application development
and limited the potential to implement truly cost-effective tertiary storage solutions. Many applications compensated
for this deficiency by incorporating multiple redundant tape drives, at higher cost, to achieve an acceptable level of
service for their users. Sony’s new Advanced Intelligent Tape design has recognized this need and provided an
innovative approach to solving the data latency problem while increasing capacity and data transfer rates.
Traditional, older tape technologies relied mostly on conventional mechanical means, such as faster search speeds
or an on-tape index to improve access to stored data. While improvements in electronics and magnetics have been
the main enablers of increased capacity and transfer rates, rarely have these same technologies been employed to
significantly improve access to data.
1.3. Features of the Drive
Major features of the Sony SDX-250V include:
• Capacity
20 Gbyte typical when using 98 meter tape AIT-E Turbo cassette (TAITE-20N)
52 Gbyte with 2.6:1 Data Compression
• Sustained transfer rate
6 Mbyte/sec
• Supported Format: AIT-E Turbo
• Not compatible with the DDS and EXABYTE format tapes
• Burst transfer rate
15.6 Mbyte/sec Asynchronous
40 Mbyte/sec Synchronous
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
1-1
1.Introduction
• Large 12 MB Buffer Memory
• 3.5” Standard Height, 5.25” Half Height
• Embedded SCSI interface (Ultra/WIDE, Single-ended or Low Voltage differential)
• Supports Variable or Fixed record length
• Supports SCSI Disconnection/Arbitration
• Read After Write (RAW) On and Off capability
• Read Retry On and Off capability
• Frame rewrite function
• Three levels of Error Correction Code (ECC)
• High Speed search (120 times nominal Read/Write speed)
• Random read, Append write
• Repeat Write option
1.4. Reference
Please refer to the following documents for additional information:
• SCSI-2
1
ANSI X3.131.-1996 Small Computer Systems Interface-2 (SCSI-2).
• SCSI Parallel Interface-2 (SPI-2) ANSI X3T10-1142D rev 20b.
ANSI X3T9.2/86-109 (Revision 10H, or above), available through ANSI.
• ALDC - Adaptive Lossless Data Compression (ALDC) Algorithm;
ECMA-222, available through
2
ECMA.
1.4.1. How to get ECMA-222 Standard Document
You can get these ECMA Standard Document file from the following URL.
http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/standard.html
1
ANSI (American National Standard for Industry)
2
ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association)
1-2
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2.Specification
2. Specifications
Physical, environmental and performance specifications for the SDX-250V and SDX-250V/RP.
2.1. Specifications
2.1.1. Dimensions
The SDX-250V
Height 41.2 mm (1.62 in) ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Width 101.6 mm (4.00 in) ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Depth 155.0 mm (6.10 in) ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
The SDX-250V/RP
Height 41.2 mm (1.62 in) ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Width 146.0 mm (5.75 in) ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Depth 155.0 mm (6.10 in) ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Note: The above dimensions do not include the front panel thickness, eject button and SCSI connector.
_
Height 41.2 0.5mm
[1.62" 0.02"]
+
_
+
Width 101.6 0.5mm
_
+
[4.00" 0.02"]
_
+
_
+
7.4 0.6mm
_
+
[0.29" 0.02"]
Figure 2-1: Dimensions (SDX-250V)
7.6
[0.30" 0.02"]
_
Depth 155.0 0.5mm
[6.10" 0.02"]
+
_
+
_
+
0.5mm
_
+
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2-1
2.Specification
2.1.1.1. Mounting Holes
Figure 2-2a gives details of the mounting holes for the Sony SDX-250V and figure 2-2b for the Sony SDX-250V/RP.
[0.19" 0.02"]
41.2 0.5mm
[1.62" 0.02"]
+
_
+
+
_
_
21.0 0.3mm
[0.83" 0.01"]
_
+
7.4 0.6mm [0.29" 0.02"]
_
+
9.8 0.6mm [0.39" 0.02"]
_
+
101.6 0.5mm [4.00" 0.02"]
+
_
4.8 0.5mm
+
_
_
+
_
+
_
+
94.0 0.5mm [3.70" 0.02"]
+
_
_
+
60.0 0.3mm
_
+
[2.36" 0.01"]
_
+
90.0 0.3mm [3.54" 0.01"]
155.0 0.5mm [6.10" 0.02"]
_
+
_
+
6-M3 (depth 2.5mm [0.10"] max.)
6-M3 (depth 2.5mm [0.10"] max.)
_
+
+
_
+
_
_
+
31.0 0.3mm
_
+
[1.22" 0.01"]
_
+
42.0 0.3mm
_
+
[1.65" 0.01"]
_
+
70.0 0.3mm [2.76" 0.01"]
_
+
Figure 2-2a: SDX-250V Mounting Holes
2-2
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
21.8 0.5mm
[0.86" 0.02"]
+
_
9.9 0.5mm
[0.39" 0.02"]
+
+
_
+
_
_
_
+
79.2 0.3mm [3.12" 0.01"]
_
+
2.Specification
_
+
7.0 0.5mm
_
+
[0.28" 0.02"]
41.2 0.5mm
[1.62" 0.02"]
+
_
+
_
_
+
7.4 0.6mm
_
+
[0.29" 0.02"]
_
+
9.8 0.6mm
_
+
[0.39" 0.02"]
_
+
31.0 0.3mm
_
+
[1.22" 0.01"]
139.6 0.5mm [5.50" 0.02"]
146.0 0.5mm [5.75" 0.02"]
149.0 0.5mm [5.87" 0.02"]
+
_
+
_
94.0 0.5mm [3.70" 0.02"]
+
_
+
_
_
+
47.5 0.3mm
_
[1.87" 0.01"]
+
_
+
79.2 0.3mm [3.12" 0.01"]
_
+
155.0 0.5mm [6.10" 0.02"]
_
+
70.0 0.3mm [2.76" 0.01"]
_
42.0 0.3mm
+
_
[1.65" 0.01"]
+
_
+
6-M3
_
+
_
+
+
+
_
+
_
_
+
_
_
+
47.5 0.3mm
_
+
[1.87" 0.01"]
_
+
79.2 0.3mm [3.12" 0.01"]
_
+
4-M3
Figure 2-2b: SDX-250V/RP Mounting Holes
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2-3
2.Specification
2.1.2. Weight
SDX-250V 740 grams, without a cassette and a front bezel.
SDX-250V/RP 970 grams, without a cassette and a front bezel.
2.1.3. Connectors
The SDX-250V has a SCSI connector with a power connector and Jumpers at the positions shown in Figure 2-3. All
other connectors are for use by Sony’s manufacturing and service facilities only.
SCSI 68 pin Connector
Figure 2-3: Connector Positions
Jumpers
Power Connector
2.1.3.1. SCSI Cables and Terminators
The Single-Ended SCSI configuration and Low-Voltage-differential SCSI configuration are supported by SDX-250V
and SDX-250V/RP. The hardware specification of this interface can be found in Clause 3. Physical Characteristics,
of the X3T10/1142D (SCSI Parallel Interface2) standard. Only unshielded connectors are supported. Possible cable
and connector sources are listed below. This does not imply that these are the only sources for SCSI accessories.
Note: When using high speed data transfer with the SDX-250V it is recommended that total length of the SCSI data
cable not exceeded 1.5m for Single Ended SCSI configuration. As for Low-Voltage-differential SCSI configuration ,
less than 12m is recommended.
Cable 30 AWG Ribbon
Hitachi UL 20848 (or equivalent)
Connector AMP 1-786090-7 (or equivalent)
2.2. Environmental Specifications
The specifications which apply when media is present may be different than these.
2.2.1. Temperature and Humidity Range
Temperature
Operating 5 ºC to 40 ºC (∆T < 10 ºC/h)
Non-Operating(mech.) -40 ºC to 70 ºC (∆T < 20 ºC/h)
Non-Operating(tape) -40 ºC to 45 ºC (∆T < 20 ºC/h)
Humidity
Operating 20 to 80% RH, non-condensing
Maximum wet bulb temperature : 26 ºC
Non-operating (mech.) 5 to 95%RH(∆RH<30%/h)
Maximum wet bulb temperature : 45 ºC
Non-operating (tape) 20 to 80%RH(∆RH<30%/h)
2-4
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2.2.2. Altitude
Operating 0 to 10,000 feet
2.2.3. Suspended Particulate
2.Specification
Operating
Less than 150 microgram/m
Based Sampling period 24 hours
3
2.2.4. Vibration
Operating Swept Sine 5 to 500Hz, @0.25G Peak 1 Octave/min.
3 axis, 3 directions
Non-operating Swept Sine 5 to 500Hz, @ 0.5G Peak 1 Octave/min.
3 axis, 3 directions
2.2.5. Shock
Operating No Data Loss
Half Sine
Performance
5 G Peak 3 ms
3 axes, 3 directions
*Interval 10 seconds
Non-operating No Device Damage
Half Sine
90 G Peak 3 ms
(30 G Peak 11 ms)
3 axes, 3 directions
*
Interval 10 seconds
2.2.6. Acoustic Noise
The ambient noise level is no greater than 25 dB (A). The sound-meter on (A) scale is located 1m in front of the
center of the drive front panel. (A): A curve weight
Streaming Write/Read 35dB(A)
Insert/Eject 60dB(A)
2.2.7. EMC
EMI/EMS Radiated
Emissions/Conducted
noise Emissions
EMS ESD
(Front Panel Only,
integrated product)
EN 55022 (1998) class B
EN 55024 (1998) A1 (2001) +A2 (2003) class B
Discharge Voltage
Less than 15kV: No operation failure
Less than 20kV: No drive damage
2.2.8. Orientation
The SDX-250V can be installed in three different mounting positions as shown in the figure below. Each position has
a maximum tolerance of ±10 degrees.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2-5
2.Specification
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Figure 2-4: Mounting Attitude and Tolerance
2.3. Performance Specification
The data capacity, data transfer rate and data reliability specifications this chapter require the media to conform to
the AIT-E Turbo Media Specification and also require the drive and media to remain within their respective operating
and non-operating environmental specifications. The specifications below also assume that the C3 ECC frame is
generated on writing and used as necessary on reading, and further assumes that read-after-write rewrites are used
as necessary on writing.
2.3.1. Data Capacity
The SDX-250V includes a data compression capability. When data compression is enabled the drive capacity can
increase from 2 times to 3 times. The efficiency of the data compression depends on the actual data that is being
compressed and cannot be predicted precisely prior to compression.
Format AIT-E Turbo Standard Format
Native
Capacity
20.0 Gbyte typical When using 98 meter tape AIT-E Turbo cassette (TAITE-20N)
2-6
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2.Specification
2.3.2. Data Transfer Rate
2.3.2.1. Sustained Data Transfer Rate to and From the Tape
The sustained transfer rate to and from the tape is 6Mbyte per second with AIT-E Turbo cassette. For this sustained
rate to be achieved, the drive must be streaming. There may be some dependency on the host for this to be
achieved.
2.3.2.2. Burst Transfer Rate to and From the SCSI Bus
The SDX-250V will transmit and receive data bursts to and from the SCSI bus at a maximum burst rate of 12 Mbyte
per second, using WIDE SCSI asynchronous transfers and 40 Mbyte per second, using WIDE SCSI synchronous
transfers.
2.3.3. Initialize Time
Initialize Time means the period from the time the drive is powered on to the time when the drive is ready and waiting
for a SCSI command such as INQUIRY or TEST UNIT READY. Initialize Time is less than 5 seconds.
The drive will respond with BUSY status until the completion of the Initialize Time. The Initialize Time does not
include the time necessary for drive diagnostics to complete and the drive to become ready for tape insertion.
2.3.4. Load Time
Load Time means the period from the time when the operator inserts a cassette into the drive to the time when the
drive is ready. The data in the below table represents the average time for SDX-250V. The time it may take for
retrying is not reflected here.
TAITE-20N (98m)
Load Time 25 sec
2.3.5. Unload Time
Unload Time means the period from the beginning of the unload sequence caused by Unload Command or Eject
button to the time when a cassette is ejected from the slot. Unload Time does not include Rewind time. The data in
the below table represents the average time for SDX-250V. The time it may take for retrying is not reflected here.
TAITE-20N (98m)
Unload Time 30 sec
2.3.6. Search Time
Search Time means the period for the drive to find the position that is required by a command. This time also
depends on the tape length and the position of the head along the tape. The data in the below table represents the
average time for SDX-250V. The time it may take for retrying is not reflected here.
TAITE-20N (98m)
Search Time 70 sec
2.3.7. Rewind Time
Rewind Time means the period from the beginning to the end of rewinding sequence. This value depends on the
tape length and the position of the head along the tape. The data in the below table represents the average time for
SDX-250V. The time it may take for retrying is not reflected here.
TAITE-20N (98m)
Rewind Time 60 sec
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2-7
2.Specification
2.3.8. Error Rate
The un-correctable bit error rate is expected to be less than 1 in 10 to the 17th.
2.3.9. Retry Limits on Rewrites
For Read-after-Write error correction, each frame can be rewritten up to a maximum of 63 times giving 64 writes of
the frame. With Repeat Writing, where every group is written a fixed number of times, the upper limit is 5.
2.3.10. Definition of Failure
A failure is defined as any permanent manufacture of the drive that prevents the user from retrieving data from tape.
This includes failure to power up, failure to unload or eject a cassette, or failure to write and read data to and from the
tape, providing that both the drive and tape are being used within specification.
Faults are not considered failures when they are related to operator error mishandling and abuse, system-related
faults (cabling problems unsupported systems, operating software and so on) no trouble found, and transportation
damage.
2.3.11. Mean Time Between Failures
The Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) for the SDX-250V is 300,000 power-on hours, assuming a duty cycle of
100%, where:
DutyCycle =
TapeMotion Time
PowerOn Time
×100
2.3.12. Mean Time to Repair
The Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) of the SDX-250V is 30 minutes. Since at the field level the entire drive is
considered a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) the time to replace the drive with a new one is less that 30 minutes.
2.3.13. Component Life
The specified life of the SDX-250V is 5 years average.
2.3.14. Durability
The durability of the components in the SDX-250V will exceed the number of operations listed on the following table:
Start/Stop 400,000 times
Reposition 3,000,000 times
Thread/Unthread 100,000 times
Load/Eject 100,000 times
2-8
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2.Specification
2.4. Safety
The SDX-250V conforms to the following safety standards:
• UL/cUL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.)
UL 60950-1, 1st Edition/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-03
Safety of Information Technology Equipment.
• TUV
EN 60950-1:2001 Safety of Information Technology Equipment including
Electrical Business Equipment.
• CE Mark
2.4.1. Conditions of Acceptability
The SDX-250V is for use only in equipment where the suitability of the combination has been determined by an
appropriate certification organization (for example, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. or the Canadian Standards
Association in North America, and the British Standards Institution or Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker in
Europe). Other considerations include the following:
1. An enclosure must be supplied to limit the operator’s access to live parts, to provide system stability, and to
furnish the drive with the necessary grounding integrity.
2. The necessary voltage supplies must be provided. These supplies are Extra Low Voltage SEC for UL and
CSA, or Safety Extra Low Voltage for BSI, VDE, and so on, of +5V and +12V DC.
2.5. Installation Requirements
Note: Do not move the drive while it is operating. It may cause malfunction.
2.5.1. Power Requirements
Voltage Max Ripple Current
Typical Maximum
5V ± 5% 100 mV p-p 1.1A 1.4A
12V ± 10% 150 mV p-p 0.4A 1.2A
* exclude SCSI terminator power
4.75V
T
0V
10.8V
0V
-300 ms <
T < 300 ms
5V
12V
Figure 2-5: Power-up Sequence
Note: Voltage has to increase constantly during Power-up until Maximum is reached.
Do not turn off the drive while the tape is in the drive.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
2-9
2.Specification
2.6. Data Compression
The tape capacity is increased by compressing data prior to writing it to the tape. Data compression is a well
established technology for reducing the number of bits used to represent data in order to improve data transfer rate
as well as reduce the amount of storage space consumed by the data. The compression ratio depends on the source
file type. The SDX-250V uses the ALDC Data Compression algorithm. ALDC is ECMA standard data compression
algorithm. (ECMA-222) The Data Compression control page allows the host computer to enable data compression
and decompression and also configure the way in which the drive responds to compressed/uncompressed data
boundaries on the tape. The AIT-E Turbo Format allows both compressed and uncompressed data to reside on the
same tape.
The Sony SDX-250V has a DIP switch to disable the Data Compression/ Decompression. After power-on reset with
this DIP switch set, both data compression and data decompression are disabled However, a MODE SELECT
command can override the setting of this DIP switch. After power-on reset without this DIP switch set, both data
compression and data decompression are enabled. (See clause 3.1.5)
2-10
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3. Installation
3.1. Installation Guide
3.Installation
Dip switch
Figure 3-1: DIP Switch
SCSI 68 pin Connector
Figure 3-2: Connector Positions
Jumpers
Power Connector
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3-1
3.Installation
ON
OFF
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Figure 3-3: DIP Switch Positions
Table 3-1: Drive Mode
DIP SW 1 2 3 4 MODE
OFF OFF OFF OFF Normal
ON OFF OFF OFF DR Mode
Table 3-2: Periodic Cleaning Request
DIP SW 6 Definition
OFF Disable Periodic Cleaning Request
ON Enable Periodic Cleaning Request
1 Drive Mode-1 (OFF)
2 Drive Mode-2 (OFF)
3 Drive Mode-3 (OFF)
4 Drive Mode-4 (OFF)
5 Terminator Power (ON)
6 Periodic Cleaning Req (ON)
7 DC Control-1 (ON)
8 DC Control-2 (OFF)
3.1.1. SCSI ID Number Jumper
The SCSI ID number of the SDX-250V is selected by the SCSI ID number jumpers. The figure below shows the
jumper configuration for each of the possible SCSI IDs.
SCSI ID3 ID2 ID1 ID0
0 : : : :
1 : : : |
2 : : | :
3 : : | |
4 : | : :
5 : | : |
6 : | | :
7 : | | |
8 | : : :
9 | : : |
10 | : | :
11 | : | |
12 | | : :
13 | | : |
14 | | | :
15 | | | |
: = OPEN Jumper not installed
| = CLOSED Jumper installed
Parity Disable
No Connection
ID3
ID2
ID1
ID0
Figure 3-4: Jumper Positions
3.1.2. Termination Power Switch
Position 5 of DIP switch is used to set whether SDX-250V provides the termination power to pin 17,18,51,52 on
SCSI bus, or not.
3-2
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3.Installation
3.1.3. Parity Disable Jumper
Parity check function can be disabled by Jumper. Parity check is disabled while left end jumper is installed. Parity
generate function is always enabled.
Parity Setting
Disable |
Enable :
: = OPEN Jumper not installed
| = CLOSED Jumper installed
3.1.4. Data Compression ON Switch
Data compression can be selected by DIP switch.
Table 3-3: Data Compression Switches
DC Control-1 DC Control-2 Definition
OFF OFF Compression disabled at power-on. The host is allowed to control
compression.
OFF ON Compression disabled at power-on. The host is not allowed to control
compression.
ON OFF Compression enabled at power-on. The host is allowed to control
compression.
ON ON Compression enabled at power-on. The host is not allowed to control
compression.
3.1.5. Power Connector
The power connector is illustrated as Figure 3-5.
4 3 2 1
5V GND GND 12V
Figure 3-5: Power Connector
3.1.6. SCSI 68 pin Connector
Figure 3-6 illustrates SCSI 68 pin connector, and table 3-4 shows the assignments for the pins of the connector.
Pin 34 1
Pin 68 35
Figure 3-6: Non-shielded SCSI Device Connector
SDX-250V supports both Low-Voltage-Differential SCSI configuration as shown table 3-4 and Single-Ended SCSI
configuration as shown table 3-5. SDX-250V detects and switches SCSI configuration between
Low-Voltage-Differential and single-ended modes by monitoring DIFSENS signal assigned pin 16 in SCSI bus. (refer
to table 3-4)
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3-3
3.Installation
Table 3-4: SCSI Signals (Low-Voltage-Differential Type BUS P Cable Signal Assignment)
Signal Name Cable Conductor Number Signal Name
-DB(12) 35 1 +DB(12)
-DB(13) 36 2 +DB(13)
-DB(14) 37 3 +DB(14)
-DB(15) 38 4 +DB(15)
-DB(P1) 39 5 +DB(P1)
-DB(0) 40 6 +DB(0)
-DB(1) 41 7 +DB(1)
-DB(2) 42 8 +DB(2)
-DB(3) 43 9 +DB(3)
-DB(4) 44 10 +DB(4)
-DB(5) 45 11 +DB(5)
-DB(6) 46 12 +DB(6)
-DB(7) 47 13 +DB(7)
-DB(P) 48 14 +DB(P)
GROUND 49 15 GROUND
GROUND 50 16 DIFFSENS
TERMPWR 51 17 TERMPWR
TERMPWR 52 18 TERMPWR
RESERVED 53 19 RESERVED
GROUND 54 20 GROUND
-ATN 55 21 +ATN
GROUND 56 22 GROUND
-BSY 57 23 +BSY
-ACK 58 24 +ACK
-RST 59 25 +RST
-MSG 60 26 +MSG
-SEL 61 27 +SEL
-C/D 62 28 +C/D
-REQ 63 29 +REQ
-I/O 64 30 +I/O
-DB(8) 65 31 +DB(8)
-DB(9) 66 32 +DB(9)
-DB(10) 67 33 +DB(10)
-DB(11) 68 34 +DB(11)
3-4
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3.Installation
Table 3-5: SCSI Signals (Single-Ended Type BUS P Cable Signal Assignment)
Signal Name Cable Conductor Number Signal Name
-DB(12) 35 1 GROUND
-DB(13) 36 2 GROUND
-DB(14) 37 3 GROUND
-DB(15) 38 4 GROUND
-DB(P1) 39 5 GROUND
-DB(0) 40 6 GROUND
-DB(1) 41 7 GROUND
-DB(2) 42 8 GROUND
-DB(3) 43 9 GROUND
-DB(4) 44 10 GROUND
-DB(5) 45 11 GROUND
-DB(6) 46 12 GROUND
-DB(7) 47 13 GROUND
-DB(P) 48 14 GROUND
GROUND 49 15 GROUND
GROUND 50 16 GROUND
TERMPWR 51 17 TERMPWR
TERMPWR 52 18 TERMPWR
RESERVED 53 19 RESERVED
GROUND 54 20 GROUND
-ATN 55 21 GROUND
GROUND 56 22 GROUND
-BSY 57 23 GROUND
-ACK 58 24 GROUND
-RST 59 25 GROUND
-MSG 60 26 GROUND
-SEL 61 27 GROUND
-C/D 62 28 GROUND
-REQ 63 29 GROUND
-I/O 64 30 GROUND
-DB(8) 65 31 GROUND
-DB(9) 66 32 GROUND
-DB(10) 67 33 GROUND
-DB(11) 68 34 GROUND
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3-5
3.Installation
3.1.7. Attaching and Removing the Dust Cover
3.1.7.1. Attaching the Dust Cover
(1) Align the dust cover’s hinge clips (one on each side) with the pins of the drive bezel.
• The dust cover should be positioned so that the six magnets on the cover’s back face the drive bezel.
• Holding the dust cover at an angle as shown in the figure below, set the hinge clips on top of the bezel pins,
positioning them so that they bracket the pins.
(2) Press down at an angle on each side in turn until you hear the hinge clips click into place.
Caution:
Do not press the dust cover in horizontally from the side. Doing so could cause the dust cover to break.
(3) Close the dust cover.
This completes attachment of the dust cover.
3-6
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3.1.7.2. Removing the Dust Cover
(1) Open the dust cover.
(2) Holding the dust cover at both corners, carefully raise the dust cover.
The dust cover hinge clips and drive bezel pins uncouple.
3.Installation
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
3-7
3.Installation
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3-8
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
4.Operation
4. Operation
4.1. Summary of LED Indications
The SDX-250V have 3 LEDs. Each LED shows "Tape Motion", "Cleaning Request", and "Replace Tape" as defined.
"Tape Motion" to show the tape motion in the drive.
"Cleaning Request" to be on, when CLEANING is required.
"Replace Tape" to be on, when the tape needs to be replaced. It should be on when a medium error occurred.
All of three LEDs flash fast simultaneously, when the drive is in malfunction.
The following table shows the meaning of each LED indications:
Table 4-1: Meaning of each LED indications
LED Tape Motion Cleaning Request Replace Tape
Off No Tape Cleaning is Not Necessary No Media Error Occurred
On Tape Loaded Cleaning Request Media Error Occurred
Flash Slowly Tape Access in Progress
(Write/Read)
Flash Fast Tape Access in Progress
(Others)
All LED Flash Fast H/w Error Occurred
Cleaning is Not Completed
Flash Fast (0.3sec on/ 0.3sec off)
0.3 sec
Flash Slowly (0.9sec on/ 0.3sec off)
0.9sec 0.3sec
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 4-1
4.Operation
4.2. Operator Action
4.2.1. Powering up the SDX-250V
After the initial installation of the SDX-250V has been verified, power can be applied to the unit. The +12V and +5V
power must be applied simultaneously. (See Figure 2-5) The SDX-250V will execute a power-up diagnostic and then
comes ready.
Once the tape has been loaded the SDX-250V sends a CHECK CONDITION response on receipt of the next SCSI
command from the host. The UNIT ATTENTION key is set in the returned REQUEST SENSE data to indicate that
the tape may have been changed. (Sense Key/ASC/ASCQ = 06/28/00)
4.2.2. Inserting Cassettes
The operator inserts a cassette into the slot on the front panel. As the cassette is inserted, the drive takes it and
automatically loads it into the drive mechanism. The SDX-250V performs a tape load sequence as described in
clause 4.3.1
4.2.3. Removing Cassettes
The cassette can be removed from the SDX-250V either in response to a SCSI UNLOAD command, or by pressing
the Eject button. The operator uses the Eject button to initiate the unload sequence (see clause 4.3.2). The
mechanism winds the tape to Beginning of Media (BOM), unthreads it, and ejects the cassette from the slot.
Operation of the Eject button is disabled if the host has previously sent a SCSI PREVENT ALLOW MEDIA
REMOVAL command with prevent bit set to one. In this case, pressing the Eject button has no effect, and does not
initiate an Unload sequence. The Eject button returns to normal operation following receipt of an PREVENT ALLOW
MEDIA REMOVAL command with prevent bit clear.
4.2.4. Hard Reset Hole
In case of emergency, you can immediately reset the drive itself by pushing the switch in the “Hard Reset Hole” with
the tip of a pin. However, there is a risk of losing data upon execution of this operation in the Write or Read mode.
The hardware reset operation is only for manufacturing and repair purposes.
Hard reset hole
4-2 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
4.Operation
4.2.5. Write-Protecting Cassettes
Cassettes can be write-protected by sliding the tab on the back of the cassette open. In this state, data can be read
from the tape but not written to it.
Caution: The Tape Log, which contains a history of usage of the tape, will not be updated when the cassette is
write-protected. It follows that the Tape Log becomes inaccurate if a cassette is used write-protected, and the media
warning cannot be relied on to indicate that the cassette needs to be copied and replaced.
4.3. Internal Function
4.3.1. The Load Sequence
During load sequence, the following occurs:
(1) The drive mechanism accepts the cassette and threads the tape. The tape is then moved to
Beginning-of-Tape (BOT) and the Reference area is checked to find the tape format. If the format is not AIT-E
Turbo, the drive rewinds the tape to BOT and awaits either a Write, Partitioning, Mode Select or an UNLOAD
command.
(2) The System area is then accessed and the System log is read into the drive.
(3) Finally the drive goes on-line.
In the case of 2 partition tape the drive detects that the tape has been formatted as a two partition tape when the
Reference Area is read. The drive will then automatically position to the beginning of partition 0 before coming on
-line. Partition 0 is the partition that begins the furthest from BOM.
4.3.2. The Unload Sequence
The drive will always write any buffered data out to tape followed by an EOD prior to initiating the Unload sequence.
During this sequence the tape is rewound to BOT and, if the tape is write-enabled, the copy of the tape log held in
RAM is written back to tape. The tape is then rewound to BOM and the tape unthreaded from the mechanism. At this
stage the tape is either retained in the drive or ejected, depending on media removal is enabled by the Prevent Allow
Media Removal command.
In the case of two partition tape the drive detects that the tape has been formatted as a two partition tape when the
Reference Area is read during the load sequence. When the Unload operation begins the drive will then
automatically update the Tape Log for each partition before unloading the tape.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 4-3
4.Operation
4.3.3. Power-Fail or SCSI Reset Handling
If there is a power-fail, the SDX-250V performs the following actions, and reverts to its default configuration:
(1) The drive remains positioned at the point where the power-fail or SCSI Reset occurred.
(2) It executes the Power-Up sequence of self-tests. (When power is restored.)
(3) If a tape is in the drive, the SDX-250V starts a LOAD sequence. The drive rewinds the tape to BOT and
remains on-line.
(4) The drive returns CHECK CONDITION status for the first command after the power-fail or Reset. The next
command from the initiator should be a REQUEST SENSE. The drive will return sense data including a sense
key that will indicate that the drive has been reset. (Sense Key / ASC / ASCQ = 06/29/00)
4.3.4. Diagnostic and Normal Status Displays
This chapter describes LED displays while the SDX-250V is starting up. When power is turned on, the SDX-250V will
go through its diagnostics to reach normal status. When a failure is detected during diagnostics, the LEDs show that
the SDX-250V is out of order and needs to be repaired.
4.3.4.1. Diagnostic Status Display
The SDX-250V starts with its Diagnostic function. This is made up of the Front Panel Test and the Kernel Test.
Front Panel Test
LED display sequence:
0.3sec on on on
0.3sec - - -
0.3sec on on on
0.3sec - - - Front Panel Test
0.3sec on - -
0.3sec - on -
0.3sec - - on
0.3sec on - -
0.3sec - on -
This function is for checking TAPE MOTION, CLEANING REQUEST and REPLACE TAPE LEDs and the related
circuits. No errors can be generated as this test is only for operator verification of indicator operation.
Kernel Test
After the Front Panel Test, the SDX-250V checks its internal units. When a Diagnostic error occurs, all LED flash
fast. Then the SDX-250V must be powered off. The SDX-250V will not work and should be checked or repaired
immediately.
0.3sec - - on
0.3sec on - -
TAPE CLEANING REPLACE
MOTION
REQUEST TAPE
The purpose of the diagnostic firmware to test the SDX-250V electronics for functionality. If the diagnostic request
comes from the host through SCSI, then the results are reported through SCSI.
If the electronics are not functioning, the diagnostic firmware tries to isolate the non-functional area to a specific
Failed Unit. Given a failure, the firmware decides on an hierarchical basis which Unit to designate as the Most
Suspect Failed Unit (MSFU). The confidence in this decision is intended to be 95%. For the details of Diagnostics,
see clause 7.2.6
4-4 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
4.Operation
4.3.4.2. Normal Status Display
After the Diagnostic Display, when no failures are detected, the SDX-250V is in the Normal Status. The LEDs show
various Normal Status (No Error) indications as shown in the table below:
Table 4-2: Normal LED indications
LED Tape Motion Cleaning Request Replace Tape
Off No Tape Cleaning is Not Necessary No Media Error Occurred
On Tape Loaded Cleaning Request Media Error Occurred
Flash Slowly Tape Access in Progress
(Write/Read)
Flash Fast Tape Access in Progress
(Others)
All LED Flash Fast H/w Error Occurred
Cleaning is Not Completed
4.4. Tape Format
The SDX-250V is an implementation of the Advanced Intelligent Tape (AIT-E Turbo) 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.
4.4.1. Tape Partitions
Tapes can be formatted as a single data space or as two partitions. With two partitions, each has the same structure
and can be written independently. Some for example, the partition further from BOM (Partition 0) can contain data
files, and the partition closer to BOM (Partition 1) could contain a directory of these files, written later.
With the exception of the Device area on the tape, each partition of a 2-partition tape is identical to a single data
space tape in structure. This means each partition has its own Tape Log area; this is necessary because the patterns
of usage may be very different for each partition. Similarly, each has its own Vendor Group, because the partitions
might be written by different drives.
4.4.1.1. Formatting Partitions
The SCSI MODE SELECT command is used to create partitions on a tape. The command can perform the following
operations:
- Set up two partitions on a blank tape.
- Convert a single data space tape to a 2-partition tape.
- Convert a 2-partition tape to a single data space tape.
- Change the size of both partitions on a 2-partition tape.
- Re-size the partitions of a 2-partition.
Note: Formatting is not needed for single partition operation.
The MODE SELECT, Medium Partitions Parameters Page (11h) is used to Format the tape. MODE SELECT,
Device Configuration Page (10h) is used to change from one partition to another, see the MODE SELECT
Command description in the SCSI command clause of this manual. The LOCATE Command also has the capability
to select a partition prior to positioning.
Any data on the tape before the format pass becomes inaccessible, even if the format pass is intended only to
change the size of the two partitions. The Tape Logs are also destroyed and new logs created.
If you do not format a new tape, it will be organized as a single data space tape. After data has been written to it,
whether it was first initialized or not, a format pass is necessary to alter its characteristics and hence how it is handled
by the tape drive system.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 4-5
4.Operation
Note: The format operation can be very time consuming depending on the requested size of the first partition on the
tape. The amount of time required can be approximated by use of the following formula:
- Number of Megabytes in Partition 1 × 0.006 = number of minutes required
- Add 30 additional seconds for processing overhead
4.5. Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Service
4.5.1. Head Cleaning
In case of SDX-250V a cleaning function which prevents and recovers from head contamination is built in the drive.
However, to keep optimum Read/Write performance, cleaning cassette is recommended to use.
4.5.1.1. Message when cleaning cassette is necessary
When drive displays cleaning cassette requirement, (Cleaning Request LED is on or in case of SCSI, CLN bit is set
at Request Sense.) use specified cleaning cassette (model name: SDX1-CL)
4.5.1.2. The condition of cleaning request
(1) Read/Write performance decreased.
(2) Every 100 hours of operation.
Note: (2) is enable when Periodic Cleaning Req Dip-SW6 is on.
4.5.1.3. Usage of cleaning cassette
(1) Drive displays cleaning cassette requirement.
(2) When specified cleaning cassette is inserted, automatic cleaning operation starts and when its over, the
cassette is ejected.
(3) One cleaning cassette can be used approximately 60 times.
(4) When the cleaning cassette is ejected without doing cleaning, it is possible that there were no more cleaning
tape left. Since cleaning tape cannot be used twice, please insert new cleaning cassette in this case.
(5) SDX-TCL can be inserted in other drives or consumer 8 mm drives, but you cannot expect good effect.
(6) The drive will automatically eject cleaning cassette for consumer drives or for any other format. The cleaning
Request is indicated by the Cleaning Request LED.
4.5.2. Troubleshooting Guide
Problems encountered while operating the Sony SDX-250V tape drive fall into two categories: Operational problems
and Read/Write problems.
Operational problems include any conditions that prevent the tape drive from operating. Operational problems
usually are discovered the first time the drive is installed on a system or when the system configuration is changed or
physically moved.
Read/Write problems include conditions that effect the transfer of data to and from the tape drive. Commands such
as REWIND, REQUEST SENSE and UNLOAD perform normally but data transfers fail.
The following clauses describe the recommended procedures for solving operational and read/write problems.
4-6 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
4.Operation
r
4.5.2.1. Operational Problems
The tape drive will not accept a tape cartridge
Withdraw the tape cassette and turn the power to drive off, wait 5 seconds, then back on. Observe the drive for a
normal power up sequence (see clause 4.3.4). If the LEDs do not light, check the power supply and power cable
connection. If the drive completes the power on sequence normally but still won’t accept the tape cassette, the drive
may be defective.
A tape may already be in the drive. TAPE MOTION LED is on. Press EJECT to remove the first tape. The power has
been removed from the drive with a tape loaded. When the power is restored to the drive, it will detect the tape and
rewind the tape to BOT. Press EJECT remove the cassette.
A tape is in the drive and will not eject.
If the SCSI command PREVENT ALLOW MEDIA REMOVAL (with Prevent bit set to one) has been sent to the drive,
the cartridge will be retained in the drive even after an UNLOAD command. The EJECT button is also disabled.
Send an PREVENT ALLOW MEDIA REMOVAL (with prevent bit clear)command, issue a SCSI bus reset, or power
the drive off and back on to override this condition.
If Tape is still in the drive after following the above procedure. The drive has a serious problem and should be
returned to Sony for repair with the tape in place.
Note: If it is absolutely mandatory that the tape cassette be removed prior to returning the drive for repair the
following Emergency Cassette Removal procedure should be followed:
Caution: This procedure should only be attempted by a mechanically qualified person and will probably result in the
tape being unusable. Do not proceed if further damage to the tape drive would be done.
Reel motor
Photo 1: Emergency Tape Removal Procedure
Loading moto
Emergency Cassette Removal Procedure
1. Remove the drive from the chassis or enclosure to allow access to the bottom of the drive.
2. Remove the drive’s top cover.
3. Locate the small opening in the bottom of the drive and insert the tip of a precision screwdriver so that the
Loading motor shaft can be rotated.
4. Rotate the motor shaft clockwise to bring the threading mechanism back to the initial position.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 4-7
4.Operation
g
A
uide surface
Tape guide surface
Tape
C
C
B
Detail A
Cartridge
Photo 2: The Initial Position of the Threading Mechanism
Caution:
Stop rotating the motor shaft immediately, when the guide B (see detail A of Photo 2) gets to the area
below the line C-C (This line is defined by 2 circular tape guide surfaces of the cartridge).
Otherwise the gear of the drive can be damaged.
5. Before manual eject procedure, tape slack must be removed in order to prevent tape damage. Rotate the gear
mechanism located on the bottom of the drive counterclockwise to tighten the tape.
6. After the tape slack has been removed, continue to turn the Loading moter shaft located on the bottom of the
drive clockwise by a precision screwdriver until the tape cartridge is lifted out of the drive mechanism and is
ejected.
7. Return the drive to Sony for repair.
The drive powers up properly and loads and unloads tapes but will not respond to any SCSI commands.
(A) If SCSI bus reset does not cause the drive to reset (same as power-on self test):
- Check the SCSI cable connectors
- Check SCSI cable pin one is aligned with the SCSI connector pin one
- Check for a broken cable or defective connector
- Try another known good SCSI device in the same location
4-8 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
4.Operation
(B) If SCSI bus reset causes the drive to reset then the problem is with the SCSI bus addressing or termination.
- Check that the SCSI bus ID jumper is set for the proper address (see clause 3.1.1)
- Check SCSI bus termination. The two SCSI devices at the ends of the bus should be terminated. No other
units should have terminators installed
Note: The strength of the SCSI bus signals can be affected if too many terminators are installed (Signal drivers can
be damaged as well)
4.5.2.2. Read/Write Problems
To prevent read/write errors, follow the cleaning recommendation in clause 4.5.1 If a read/write error occurs, a
combination of the following steps should correct the problem.
- Remove the tape.
- Clean the drive with the AIT cleaning cartridge.
- Load a new tape in the drive.
- Retry the operation.
Note: If these steps do not correct the problem the drive may be defective and should be returned to Sony for
service.
4.5.2.3. Replace Tape
When Media Error occur drive will indicate that tape is bad by turning on the Replace Tape LED. If this condition
occurs, a combination of the following steps should correct the problem.
- Remove the tape.
- Clean the drive with the AIT cleaning cartridge.
- Load a new tape in the drive.
- Retry the operation.
Note: If these steps do not correct the problem the drive may be defective and should be returned to Sony for
service.
4.5.2.4. Media Warning
When a Media Warning threshold is exceeded the drive will indicate that the tape is bad by flashing the Replace
Tape LED MEW(Media Warning) bit is 1. The indicator will be on for 0.9 seconds, off for 0.3 seconds. The Tape
Motion and Cleaning Request LEDs will operate normally. If this occurs, the data on the cassette should be copied
onto a new one and the old cassette discarded. This status is cleared by unloading the cassette. The Media Warning
is displayed if any of the following conditions are met:
- More than 1,024 RAW retry per 1,024 groups written
- More than 11 read retry or 11 C3 ECC, third level Error Correction Code, per 1,000 groups read
Note: Media warning is calculated as an average value of 1024 groups of data (either Read of Write) 1024 Groups of
data is approximately 1.2 Gbyte.
4.5.3. Clearance for Service
All servicing is performed only after removal of the SDX-250V from is mounting. It is recommended that in mounting
the drive into a chassis provisions should be made to allow easy access to the mounting screws (see Figure 2-2).
4.5.4. Packaging for Return to Sony
The drive should be returned in its original packaging. Sony will not take responsibility for shipping damage caused
to an improperly packaged drive.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 4-9
4.Operation
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4-10 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5.SCSI Interface
5. SCSI Interface
5.1. Introduction
The Sony SDX-250V uses the SCSI interface to connect to the host system. The Small Computer System Interface
(SCSI) is an industry standard interface, approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It is
recommended that this document be used along with the ANSI standard document. The ANSI specification defines
the interface in general while this document describes the specific implementation for this unit. The SCSI
documents, listed in detail in clause 1.2, offer the information required to integrate this unit with SCSI-compatible
computer systems. This clause includes four sub-clauses:
• Introduction
• SCSI Bus Operation
• SCSI Messages
• SCSI Status
Note: The details of each SCSI Command are covered in Section 6.
The Introduction provides general, high-level information. For the hardware description and the installation
requirements, see Section 2.The SCSI protocol supported by the unit are covered in the Bus Operation, Message,
and Status clauses.
5.1.1. Overview of the SCSI Interface
The SCSI implementation provides the unit with a standard set of features and functions. These include:
• Asynchronous and Synchronous communication modes
• Single-ended / Differential Configurations
• Full implementation of Mandatory commands
• Implementation of most sequential non-Mandatory commands
5.1.2. Supported Messages
The following messages are supported: (alphabetic order)
* Abort
* Bus Device Reset
* Command Complete
* Disconnect
* Extended Message-Synchronous Data Transfer Request
* Extended Message-Wide Data Transfer Request
* Identify (w/ & w/o disconnect)
* Ignore Wide Residue
* Initiator Detected Error
* Message Parity Error
* Message Reject
* No Operation
* Restore Pointers
* Save Data Pointer
For implementation details on these messages, see clause 5.3.
5.1.3. Supported and Unsupported Commands
The following commands are supported. They include all Mandatory and Extended commands, most Optional
commands.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
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5.SCSI Interface
Table 5-1: Supported SCSI Commands
Command Name Operation Code
ERASE 19h
INQUIRY 12h
LOAD/UNLOAD 1Bh
LOCATE 2Bh
LOG SELECT 4Ch
LOG SENSE 4Dh
MODE SELECT(6) 15h
MODE SENSE(6) 1Ah
PERSISTENT RESERVE IN 5Eh
PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT 5Fh
PREVENT ALLOW MEDIUM REMOVAL 1Eh
READ 08h
READ BLOCK LIMITS 05h
READ BUFFER 3Ch
READ POSITION 34h
RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS 1Ch
RELEASE UNIT 17h
REPORT DENSITY SUPPORT 44h
REPORT LUNS A0h
REQUEST SENSE 03h
RESERVE UNIT 16h
REWIND 01h
SEEK BLOCK 0Ch
SEND DIAGNOSTIC 1Dh
SPACE 11h
TEST UNIT READY 00h
VERIFY 13h
WRITE 0Ah
WRITE BUFFER 3Bh
WRITE FILEMARKS 10h
For implementation details on these commands, see the Command Section 6. The following Optional commands are
NOT supported.
- CHANGE DEFINITION
- COMPARE
- COPY AND VERIFY
- 10 byte MODE SENSE & MODE SELECT
- READ REVERSE
- TRACK SELECT (SCSI-1 optional command, not applicable to the SDX-250V)
5.2. SCSI Bus Operation
5.2.1. Typical SCSI Operation
This example describes the typical SCSI bus sequence between the host and the drive.
1. After waiting for the bus clear time the Host arbitrates for the SCSI bus. It does this by asserting BSY and the
data line corresponding to its bus ID. If any other devices wish to compete for the bus, they also assert BSY
and the appropriate data line. Each arbitrating device then inspects the data bus. The device with the highest
ID wins the bus. All the other devices must release BSY and their data lines.
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SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5.SCSI Interface
2. The Host attempts to select the target by asserting SEL and releasing BSY. The Host maintains its ID and
asserts the target’s ID on the data bus. Each target then checks the data lines. If the target’s ID matches that
on the data bus, it accepts selection by asserting BSY. Once the Host has detected BSY being asserted, it
asserts ATN to indicate that it wants the target to go to the MESSAGE OUT phase. The Host releases SEL.
3. The target now has control of the SCSI bus and it is the target which switches between phases. The target
responds to the ATTENTION condition and initiates the MESSAGE OUT phase. The Host sends an IDENTIFY
message which tells the target which logical unit the Host wishes to talk to. The fact that the target responds to
the ATN indicates to the Host that the target can accommodate more than just a COMMAND COMPLETE
message.
4. The target initiates the COMMAND phase and transfers the Command Descriptor Block from the Host. In the
COMMAND phase, the target decodes the command and either executes the command (TEST UNIT READY)
or sets itself up for a data transfer to the Host (READ, WRITE, INQUIRY etc.). The target then either switches
to the STATUS phase, if the command is complete, or if it is ready to transfer data, the DATA phase.
5. The data transfer length is set by the Host in the Command Descriptor Block. The target will remain in the
DATA phase until all the data is transferred.
6. The target then initiates a STATUS phase and transfers one byte to the Host to indicate whether the target has
successfully completed the command. If the target has detected an error, the next command that the Host is
expected to send is REQUEST SENSE. This allows the target to return further status information to the Host.
7. The target completes the SCSI sequence by going to the MESSAGE IN phase and transferring a COMMAND
COMPLETE message to the Host. The target then releases BSY allowing the bus to go to the BUS FREE
state.
5.2.2. Disconnect
In order to improve bus usage and performance, the unit is capable of temporarily disconnecting from the bus,
consequently allowing other initiator-target communications to take place. To do so, however, the Host needs to
support Disconnect/ Re-select. The mechanism for performing the Disconnect/ Re-select procedure is implemented
as follows:
1. The Host arbitrates for the SCSI bus and upon winning the bus it proceeds to select target device. Prior to
releasing SEL and completing the selection phase, the Host asserts the ATN line. The Host then releases SEL
and BSY to allow the target to assume control of the SCSI bus. By asserting ATN, the host indicates that the
target should go to a MESSAGE OUT phase.
2. At this point, the target responds to the Host ATTENTION condition by initiating a MESSAGE OUT phase and
receiving a message from the Host which tells it whether or not the Host allows Disconnects for the desired
logical unit on the target.
3. If the Host does not send an Identify message, the target assumes that Disconnects are not permitted.
4. The I/O activity from this point is controlled entirely by the target. The target initiates the COMMAND phase
and reads in the Command Descriptor Block (CDB) from the Host. If the Host has sent an Identify message
with the Disconnect permission bit set, then the target will immediately disconnect from the bus after the entire
CDB has been received.
5. The Disconnect process occurs when the target initiates a MESSAGE IN phase and sends a DISCONNECT
message back to the Host. This message may be preceded by a SAVE DATA POINTERS message byte if the
Disconnect is performed in the middle of the DATA phase. Following the MESSAGE IN phase, the target frees
the bus by releasing the BSY.
6. The host now waits for the target to perform Re-selection. When ready, the target re-selects the Host and
sends an Identify message via a MESSAGE IN phase, indicating the specific logical unit with which the
subsequent communications are to take place. Usually, the target will proceed from the MESSAGE IN phase
to either a DATA or a STATUS phase. If the Host had been previously told to SAVE DATA POINTERS, then
the target’s Identify message implies that the Host restores its data pointers upon re-selection; in other words,
it is not necessary for the target to send a specific RESTORE DATA POINTERS to the Host in such context.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
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5.SCSI Interface
7. When doing a large data transfer, the target may choose to divide the entire transfer into several smaller
transfers. This allows the target to free the SCSI bus whenever it needs to perform its own system tasks not
immediately related to the actual data transfer over the SCSI bus. The target will not lock the bus into the
DATA phase if it is not presently ready to efficiently execute the transfer. After the data transfer is completed,
the target enters a STATUS phase and sends a single status byte to the Host. It then proceeds to a MESSAGE
IN phase, during which the target sends a COMMAND COMPLETE message. Finally, the target frees the bus
and the current command is considered completed.
8. The Host may change Disconnect permission at any time after the SELECTION phase by asserting ATN and
sending an Identify message via a MESSAGE OUT phase. If the Host, however, performs this action during a
DATA phase, it is possible that the target will not notice the change in Disconnect permission status until past
the end of the current bus phase.
5.3. Message Specification
This clause includes all SCSI messages. Both supported and non-supported messages are listed. Elements of this
clause come from clause 5, Logical Characteristics, of the SCSI standard. The message system allows
communication between an initiator and a target for the purpose of physical path management. The table below lists
the Messages supported by the SDX-250V.
The SDX-250V supports the Synchronous Data Transfer Request Extended Message, and the Wide Data Transfer
Request Message.
Table 5-2: Message Descriptions
Code Description Direction
In Out
00 COMMAND COMPLETE *
01 EXTENDED MESSAGE (Note 1) * *
02 SAVE DATA POINTER *
03 RESTORE POINTERS *
04 DISCONNECT *
05 INITIATOR DETECTED ERROR
06 ABORT *
07 MESSAGE REJECT *
08 NO OP * *
09 MESSAGE PARITY ERROR *
0C BUS DEVICE RESET *
23 IGNORE WIDE RESIDUE *
80-CO IDENTIFY * *
5.3.1. COMMAND COMPLETE (00h)
This message is sent from a target to an initiator to indicate that the execution of a command or a series of linked
commands has completed and valid status has been sent to the initiator. After successfully sending this message,
the target goes to the BUS FREE phase by releasing BSY.
When received as a target, it will be handled as an illegal message, the unit will return MESSAGE REJECT and will
enter the status phase reporting CHECK CONDITION with the sense key set to COMMAND ABORTED.
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SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5.SCSI Interface
5.3.2. EXTENDED MESSAGE (01h)
5.3.2.1. SYNCHRONOUS DATA TRANSFER REQUEST(01h)
This is sent by either the initiator or the target as the first byte of a multiple-byte message. When acting as an initiator,
the unit will not send any Extended Messages. No Vendor Unique codes are implemented and only the Synchronous
Data Transfer Request code is supported. Any other message code is handled as an illegal message; the unit will
return MESSAGE REJECT and will continue. A Synchronous Data Transfer Request message has the following
format:
Table 5-3: Synchronous Data Transfer Request
Byte Value Description
0 01h Extended message
1 03h Extended message length
2 01h SYNCHRONOUS DATA TRANSFER REQUEST code
3 M Transfer period (m times 4 nanoseconds)
4 X REQ/ACK offset
A SYNCHRONOUS DATA TRANSFER REQUEST (SDTR) message exchange shall be initiated by a SCSI device
whenever a previously-arranged data transfer agreement may have become invalid. The agreement becomes
invalid after any condition which may leave the data transfer agreement in an indeterminate state such as:
(1) after a hard reset condition
(2) after a BUS DEVICE RESET message and
(3) after a power cycle.
In addition, a SCSI device may initiate an SDTR message exchange whenever it is appropriate to negotiate a new
data transfer agreement (either synchronous or asynchronous). SCSI devices that are capable of synchronous data
transfers shall not respond to an SDTR message with a MESSAGE REJECT message.
The SDTR message exchange establishes the permissible transfer periods and the REQ/ACK offsets for all logical
units and target routines on the two devices. This agreement only applies to data phases. The transfer period factor
times four is the value of the transfer period.
Transfer period is the minimum time allowed between leading edges of successive REQ pulses and of successive
ACK pulses. The SDX-250V supports the following transfer periods:
Table 5-4: Synchronous Data Transfer Rates
Transfer Period (hex) 0C 19 1F 26 2C 32 38
Transfer Rate (MB/s) - narrow 20.0 10.0 8.0 6.67 5.71 5.00 4.44
Transfer Rate (MB/s)- wide 40.0 20.0 16.0 13.34 11.42 10.00 8.88
REQ/ACK offset: is the maximum number of REQ pulses allowed to be outstanding before the leading edge of its
corresponding ACK pulse is received at the target. A REQ/ACK offset value of ZERO shall indicate asynchronous
data transfer mode. The SDX-250V supports synchronous data transfer REQ/ACK offset values from 1 to 15.
The originating device (the device that sends the first of the pair of SDTR messages) sets its values according to the
rules above to permit it to receive data successfully. If the responding device can also receive data successfully with
these values (or smaller transfer periods or larger REQ/ACK offsets or both), it returns the same values in its SDTR
message. If it requires a larger transfer period, a smaller REQ/ACK offset, or both in order to receive data
successfully, it substitutes values in its SDTR message as required, returning unchanged any value not required to
be changed. Each device when transmitting data shall respect the limits set by the other’s SDTR message, but it is
permitted to transfer data with larger transfer periods, smaller REQ/ACK offsets, or both than specified in the other’s
SDTR message. The successful completion of an exchange of SDTR messages implies an agreement as follows:
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5-5
5.SCSI Interface
Responding Device SDTR response Implied Agreement
(1) Non-ZERO REQ/ACK offset Each device transmits data with a transfer period equal to or
greater than and a REQ/ACK offset equal to or less than the values
received in the other device’s SDTR message.
(2) REQ/ACK offset equal to ZERO Asynchronous transfer
(3) MESSAGE REJECT message Asynchronous transfer
If the initiator recognizes that negotiation is required, it asserts the ATN signal and sends a SDTR message to begin
the negotiating process. After successfully completing the MESSAGE OUT phase, the target shall respond with the
proper SDTR message. If an abnormal condition prevents the target from returning an appropriate response, both
devices shall go to asynchronous data transfer mode for data transfers between the two devices.
Following target response (1) above, the implied agreement for synchronous operation shall be considered to be
negated by both the initiator and the target if the initiator asserts the ATN signal and the first message out is either
MESSAGE PARITY ERROR or MESSAGE REJECT. In this case, both devices shall go to asynchronous data
transfer mode for data transfers between the tow devices. For the MESSAGE PARITY ERROR case, the implied
agreement shall be reinstated if a re-transmittal of the second of the pair of messages is successfully accomplished.
After two retry attempts, if the target receives a MESSAGE PARITY ERROR message, it shall terminate the retry
activity. This may be done either by changing to any other information transfer phase and transferring at least one
byte of information or by going to the BUS FREE phase. The initiator shall accept such action as aborting the
negotiation, and both devices shall go to asynchronous data transfer mode for data transfer between the two
devices.
If the target recognizes that negotiation is required, it sends an SDTR message to the initiator. Prior to releasing the
ACK signal on the last byte of the SDTR message from the target, the initiator shall assert the ATN signal and
respond with its SDTR message or with a MESSAGE REJECT message. If an abnormal condition prevents the
initiator from returning an appropriate response, both devices shall go to asynchronous data transfer mode for data
transfers between the two devices.
Following an initiator's responding SDTR message, an implied agreement for synchronous operation shall not be
considered to exist until the target leaves the MESSAGE OUT phase, indicating that the target has accepted the
negotiation. After two retry attempts, if the target has not received the initiator's responding SDTR message, it shall
go to the BUS FREE phase without any further information transfer attempt. This indicates that a catastrophic error
condition has occurred. Both devices shall go to asynchronous data transfer mode for data transfer between the two
devices.
If, following an initiator's responding SDTR message, the target shifts to MESSAGE IN phase and the first message
in is MESSAGE REJECT, the implied agreement shall be considered to be negated and both devices shall go to
asynchronous data transfer mode for data transfers between the two devices.
The implied synchronous agreement shall remain in effect until a BUS DEVICE RESET message is received, until a
hard reset condition occurs, or until one of the two SCSI devices elects to modify the agreement. The default data
transfer mode is asynchronous data transfer mode. The default data transfer mode is entered at power on, after a
BUS DEVICE RESET message, or after a hard reset condition.
5.3.2.2. WIDE DATA TRANSFER REQUEST
Byte Value
0 01 Extended message
1 02 Extended message length
2 03 WIDE DATA TRANSFER REQUEST code
3 m Transfer Width exponent
A WIDE DATA TRANSFER REQUEST (WDTR) message exchange shall be initiated by a SCSI device whenever a
previously-arranged transfer width agreement may have become invalid. The agreement becomes invalid after any
condition which may leave the data transfer agreement in an indeterminate state such as:
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SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5.SCSI Interface
(1) after a hard reset condition;
(2) after a BUS DEVICE RESET message and;
(3) after a power cycle.
In addition, a SCSI device may initiate a WDTR message exchange whenever it is appropriate to negotiate a new
transfer width agreement. SCSI devices that are capable of wide data transfers (greater than eight bits) shall not
respond to a WDTR with a MESSAGE REJECT message.
The WDTR message exchange establishes an agreement between two SCSI devices on the width of the data path
to be used for DATA phase transfers between the two devices. This agreement applies to DATA IN and DATA IN
and DATA OUT phases only. All other information transfer phases shall use an eight-bit data path.
If a SCSI device implements both wide data transfer option and synchronous data transfer option, then it shall
negotiate the wide data transfer agreement prior to negotiating the synchronous data transfer agreement. If a
synchronous data transfer agreement is in effect, then a SCSI device that accepts a WDTR message shall reset the
synchronous agreement to asynchronous mode.
The transfer width is two to the transfer width exponent bytes wide. The transfer width that is established applies to
an logical units on both SCSI devices. Valid transfer widths are 8 bits (m=00h) ,and 16 bits (m=01h). Values of m=02
and greater are reserved.
The originating SCSI device (the SCSI device that sends the first of the pair of WDTR messages)sets its transfer
width value to maximum data path width it elects to accommodate. If the responding SCSI device can also
accommodate this transfer width, it returns the same value in its WDTR message. If it requires a smaller transfer
width, it substitutes the smaller value in its WDTR message. The successful completion of an exchange of WDTR
messages implies an agreement as follows:
Responding device WDTR response Implied agreement
a) Non-ZERO transfer width Each device transmits and receives data with a transfer width
equal to the responding SCSI device's transfer width.
b) Transfer width equal to ZERO Eight -bit data transfer
c) MESSAGE REJECT message Eight -bit data transfer
If the initiator recognizes that negotiation is required, it asserts the ATN signal and sends a WDTR message to begin
the negotiating process. After successfully completing the MESSAGE OUT phase, the target shall respond with the
proper WDTR message. If an abnormal condition prevents the target from returning an appropriate response, both
devices shall go to eight-bit data transfer mode for data transfers between the two devices.
Following target response (1)above, the implied agreement for wide data transfers shall be considered to be negated
by both the initiator and the target if it the initiator asserts ATN and the first message out is either MESSAGE PARITY
ERROR or MESSAGE REJECT. In this case, both devices shall go to eight-bit data transfer mode for data transfers
between the two devices. For the MESSAGE PARITY ERROR case, the implied agreement shall be reinstated if a
re-transmittal of the second of the pair of messages is successfully accomplished. After a vendor-specific number of
retry attempts (greater than ZERO),if the target receives a MESSAGE PARITY ERROR message, it shall terminate
the retry activity. This may be done either by changing to any other information transfer phase and transferring at
least on byte of information or by going to the BUS FREE phase. The initiator shall accept such action as aborting the
negotiation and both devices shall go to eight -bit data transfer mode for data transfers between the two devices.
The implied transfer width agreement shall remain in effect until a BUS DEVICE RESET message is received, until a
hard reset condition occurs, or until one of the two SCSI devices elects to modify the agreement. The default data
transfer width is eight-bit data transfer mode. The default data transfer mode is entered at power on m, after a BUS
DEVICE RESET message, or after a hard reset condition.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
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5.SCSI Interface
5.3.3. SAVE DATA POINTER (02h)
This message is sent from a target to the initiator at the end of a Data Phase to request that the initiator save a copy
of the present active data pointer for the currently attached logical unit. The unit will accept this message when in the
initiator mode. As a target, it will send this message prior to a disconnect. When received as a target, it will be
handled as an illegal message, the unit will return MESSAGE REJECT and will enter the status phase reporting
CHECK CONDITION with the sense key set to COMMAND ABORTED.
5.3.4. RESTORE POINTERS (03h)
This message is sent from a target to direct the initiator to restore the most recently saved pointers for the currently
attached logical unit to the active state. Pointers to the command, data, and status locations for the logical unit will be
restored to the active pointers. Command and status pointers will be restored to the beginning of the present
command and status areas. The data pointer will be restored to the value at the beginning of the data area in the
absence of a SAVE DATA POINTER message or to the value at the point at which the last SAVE DATA POINTER
message occurred for that logical unit.
The unit send a RESTORE POINTERS message. Rather, it relies on the implicit restore pointers inherent in a
re-selection.
When acting as initiator, the unit will accept a RESTORE POINTERS message before resending a previously
unsuccessful status or data transfer. It doesn’t send a RESTORE POINTERS for re-selection but relies on the
implicit restore pointers in re-selection.
When received as a target, it will be handled as an illegal message; the unit will return MESSAGE REJECT and will
continue.
5.3.5. DISCONNECT (04h)
This message is sent from a target to inform an initiator that the present physical path is going to be broken (the
target plans to disconnect by releasing BSY). Later, reelection will be required in order to complete the current
operation.
Note: The initiator detects a catastrophic error condition when the BUS FREE phase occurs (other than as result of
a RESET condition) without first receiving a DISCONNECT or COMMAND COMPLETE message. If the target
intentionally creates this condition, the target clears the current command. This message does not cause the initiator
to save the data pointer.
The unit will support this message as an initiator. As a target, the unit supports this message and will disconnect if
allowed by the initiator.
When received as a target, it will be handled as an illegal message; the unit will return MESSAGE REJECT and will
continue.
5.3.6. INITIATOR DETECTED ERROR (05h)
This message is sent from an initiator to inform a target that an error (e.g.: parity error) has occurred that does not
prevent the target from re-trying the operation. At this point, present pointer integrity is not assured. A RESTORE
POINTERS message or a disconnect followed by a re-selection, will cause the pointers to be restored to their
previously defined state.
This message will not be sent by the drive, when the drive is acting as an initiator. When received as a target the unit
will enter the status phase reporting CHECK CONDITION with the sense key set to COMMAND ABORTED.
5-8
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5.SCSI Interface
5.3.7. ABORT (06h)
This message is sent from the initiator to the target to clear the present operation. All pending data and status from
the affected logical unit is cleared, and the target goes to the BUS FREE phase. This message can be sent to a
logical unit that is not currently performing an operation for the initiator.
A transaction which has not yet been acknowledged with a good Status byte will cause the transaction to be aborted.
If a transaction has already been acknowledged, the abort will force a Write of any pending data. The device will
proceed directly to BUS FREE state.
5.3.8. MESSAGE REJECT (07h)
This message is sent from either the initiator or target to indicate that the last message it received was inappropriate
or has not been implemented.
In order to indicate its intentions of sending this message, the initiator asserts the ATN signal prior to its release of
ACK for the REQ ACK handshake of the message that is to be rejected. Message Reject is issued in response to any
messages which the unit considers to be illegal or not supported. The illegal message will cause the current
command to be aborted and the unit will enter the status phase reporting CHECK CONDITION with the sense key
set to COMMAND ABORTED.
When received as a target, if the unit was previously in Message In phase (i.e.: sending messages to the host) then
MESSAGE REJECT will cause the unit to go straight to the Status phase with a CHECK CONDITION status and a
sense key of COMMAND ABORTED. If the unit was not previously in Message In phase then MESSAGE REJECT
will be handled as an illegal message.
If the initiator sends MESSAGE REJECT message in response to the units DISCONNECT message, the unit will
disable disconnects for the rest of the nexus and continue.
5.3.9. NO OPERATION (08h)
This message is sent by an initiator in response to a target’s request for a message when the initiator does not
currently have any other valid message to send. This message is accepted when the drive is acting as a target, and
may be sent when it is an initiator. When a NO-OP is received during any phase, the unit will continue as though
nothing had happened.
5.3.10. MESSAGE PARITY ERROR (09h)
This message is sent from the initiator to the target to indicate that one or more bytes in the last message it received
had a parity error.
To indicate its intentions of sending this message, the initiator will send the ATN signal prior to its release of ACK for
the REQ/ACK handshake of the message that has the parity error. This provides an interlock so that the target can
determine which message has the parity error.
This message will not be sent by the drive, when the drive is acting as an initiator. When received as a target, the unit
will enter the Status phase reporting CHECK CONDITION with the sense key set to COMMAND ABORTED.
5.3.11. BUS DEVICE RESET (0Ch)
This message is sent from an initiator to direct a target to clear all current commands. Upon recognizing this
message, the currently executing command will be aborted and the drive will proceed to the BUS FREE state. The
drive will then execute a hard reset which will leave the drive in a state as if it had been power-cycled. All data in the
buffer will be written to tape before the reset is performed.
A BUS DEVICE RESET message should be used to reset the drive, rather than a hard reset, as this will only reset
the drive rather than all the devices on the bus.
Due to the catastrophic nature of this command, it should be used cautiously in a multiple initiator system.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5-9
5.SCSI Interface
5.3.12. IDENTIFY (80h-FFh)
These messages are sent by either the initiator or the target to establish the physical connection path between an
initiator and target for a particular logical unit. This message byte can have the following bits set:
Bit 7 This bit is always set to one to distinguish these messages from other messages.
Bit 6 This bit is only set to one by the initiator. When set to one, it indicates that the initiator has the ability to
disconnect and reconnect.
Bit 5 LUNTAR: This bit is always ZERO to indicate that the LUNTRN field below is valid.
Bits 4-3 Reserved.
Bits 2-0 LUNTRN: These bits specify a logical unit number in a target, and must always be set to ZERO as the
unit is a single target, single logical unit device on the SCSI bus. The Logical Unit Number for the drive is
fixed and is set to ZERO. Any other value will cause the unit to enter the status phase reporting CHECK
CONDITION with the sense key set to COMMAND ABORTED.
Therefore, only the values 80h and C0h are supported.
When sent from a target to an initiator during reconnection, an implied RESTORE POINTERS message will be
performed by the initiator prior to completion of this message, since at no time will a RESTORE POINTERS be sent.
5.3.13. IGNORE WIDE RESIDUE (23h)
Table 5-5: Ignore Wide Residue Message
Byte Value
0 23 Message Code
1 01 Ignore
The IGNORE WIDE RESIDUE message (see table 5-5) shall be sent from the SDX-250V to indicate that the number
of valid bytes sent during the last REQ/ACK handshake and REQB/ACKB handshake of a DATA IN phase is less
than the negotiated transfer width. The ignore field indicates the number of invalid data bytes transferred. This
message shall be sent immediately following that DATA IN phase and prior to any other messages. The ignore field
is defined in table 5-6. More than one IGNORE WIDE RESIDUE message may occur during an I/O process.
Table 5-6: Ignore Field
Ignore Invalid data bits
16-bit transfers
00h Reserved
01h DB (15-8)
02-FFh Reserved
Even though a byte is invalid its corresponding parity bit shall be valid for the value transferred.
5.4. Status Specification
A Status byte is sent from the drive to the Host during the STATUS phase at the termination of each command as
specified in the SCSI specification, unless the command has been cleared by an ABORT message, by a BUS
DEVICE RESET message, or by a hard RESET.
The Status bytes that will be return are:
00h GOOD: This status indicates that the drive has successfully completed the command.
02h CHECK CONDITION: Any error, exception, or abnormal condition that causes sense data to be set returns
CHECK CONDITION. The REQUEST SENSE command should be sent following this status to determine
the nature of the error.
5-10
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5.SCSI Interface
08h BUSY: The drive is busy. This status is returned whenever the drive is unable to accept a command from
an otherwise acceptable initiator. The BUSY status will be returned by the unit, if, while it is
DISCONNECTED from the SCSI bus, it receives a command from a different initiator. The unit does not
stack commands and therefore will not accept the next command until the current one has completed.
Note that if an initiator sends overlapped commands to the unit (i.e.: it sends a new command while the
previous one is still executing and the unit is disconnected) then the first command will be aborted and a
CHECK CONDITION will be returned to the initiator to indicate that the command was aborted. The
second command will NOT be executed.
The BUSY status returned by the drive must not be confused with DRIVE NOT READY. DRIVE NOT
READY will be returned as part of the Sense data following a REQUEST SENSE command and indicates
that the drive is off-line and no media is loaded in the drive.
The drive is deemed off-line if the tape is currently unloaded and, normally, ejected from the drive.
However, the drive will still be off-line if the tape has been retained within the drive following a Host issued
PREVENT MEDIA REMOVAL command prior to the unload.
In the off-line state, the Host cannot perform any operation which would cause tape motion. These
commands will return a CHECK CONDITION status with a DRIVE NOT READY sense key set. The
command types which are not allowed are write, read, verify or space commands. The Host may load the
tape when the unit is off-line so long as the tape has been prevented from being ejected via the
PREVENT/ALLOW MEDIA REMOVAL command.
While the drive is “Busy” the Host may issue any command, including diagnostic commands, which do not
access the tape and a GOOD status shall be returned.
These commands are:
INQUIRY
LOG SELECT
LOG SENSE
MODE SELECT
MODE SENSE
PREVENT ALLOW MEDIUM REMOVAL
READ BLOCK LIMITS
READ BUFFER
RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS
RELEASE UNIT
REQUEST SENSE
RESERVE UNIT
SEND DIAGNOSTIC
WRITE BUFFER
The TEST UNIT READY command is used to determine the on-line/off-line state of the drive and will,
therefore, return a CHECK CONDITION status with a DRIVE NOT READY sense key set if no media is
currently loaded.
10h INTERMEDIATE GOOD: This status is returned for every command in a series of linked commands
(except the last command), unless an error, exception or abnormal condition causes a CHECK
CONDITION status or RESERVATION CONFLICT status to be set. If this status is not returned, the chain
of linked commands is broken; no further commands in the series are executed.
18h RESERVATION CONFLICT: This status is returned by the drive whenever the host or another SCSI
device attempts to access the drive if it has been reserved via the RESERVE UNIT command.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
5-11
5.SCSI Interface
This page intentionally left blank.
5-12
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
6.Command Specification
6. Command Specification
This clause includes all supported and unsupported SCSI commands. Elements of this clause come from clauses 7,
8 and 9 of the ANSI X3T9.2, SCSI interface specification.
There are different types of SCSI commands, each with a specific, required length (in bytes.) The majority of the
commands are 6 byte Group 0 commands. Group 1 & 2 commands are 10 bytes long. Note that the drive will wait
until the required number of bytes are transferred. At the termination of each command, the target sends a status
byte to the initiator. See the clause on Status for more details. The following is a list of the supported SCSI
Commands and page index:
Table 6-1: SCSI Commands and Page Index
PARA SCSI COMMAND OP CODE PAGE
6.1 ERASE 19h 6-2
6.2 INQUIRY 12h 6-3
6.3 LOAD /UNLOAD 1Bh 6-8
6.4 LOCATE 2Bh 6-9
6.5 LOG SELECT 4Ch 6-10
6.6 LOG SENSE 4Dh 4Dh 6-12
6.7 MODE SELECT(6) 15h 6-26
6.8 MODE SENSE(6) 1Ah 6-41
6.9 PERSISTENT RESERVE IN 5Eh 6-44
6.10 PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT 5Fh 6-48
6.11 PREVENT ALLOW MEDIUM REMOVAL 1Eh 6-50
6.12 READ 08h 6-51
6.13 READ BLOCK LIMITS 05h 6-53
6.14 READ BUFFER 3Ch 6-54
6.15 READ POSITION 34h 6-56
6.16 RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS 1Ch 6-58
6.17 RELEASE UNIT 17h 6-60
6.18 REPORT DENSITY SUPPORT 44h 6-61
6.19 REPORT LUNS A0h 6-63
6.20 REQUEST BLOCK ADDRESS 02h 6-64
6.21 REQUEST SENSE 03h 6-65
6.22 RESERVE UNIT 16h 6-73
6.23 REWIND 01h 6-74
6.24 SEEK BLOCK 0Ch 6-75
6.25 SEND DIAGNOSTIC 1Dh 6-76
6.26 SPACE 11h 6-78
6.27 TEST UNIT READY 00h 6-81
6.28 VERIFY 13h 6-82
6.29 WRITE 0Ah 6-84
6.30 WRITE BUFFER 3Bh 6-86
6.31 WRITE FILEMARKS 10h 6-88
Note: In compliance with the SCSI specification, the unit will terminate the command with a CHECK CONDITION
status and the sense key will be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST when a reserved bit, byte, field or code is not ZERO.
The unit has an embedded SCSI controller interface and therefore is a single target, single logical unit device when
on the SCSI bus. The Logical Unit Number for the drive is fixed and is set to ZERO. In order to be SCSI-2
compatible, the following scheme is used to check the LUN:
SCSI-2 states that the LUN addressed by the host should appear in the IDENTIFY message sent to the target on
selection. If SDX-250V receives an IDENTIFY message with a LUNTRN field of ZERO, then it will not check the LUN
field in the CDB (ANSI have reserved the right to reclaim the LUN field in the CDB in the next release of SCSI and
has recommended that this field not be used in SCSI-2 compatible devices). However, SCSI-1 and SCSI-2 devices
are allowed to coexist on the same bus, and SCSI-1 hosts will not send an IDENTIFY message. If SDX-250V does
NOT receive an IDENTIFY message on selection then it WILL check the LUN field in the CDB and expect it to be
ZERO. If it isn’t the unit will return a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-1
6.Command Specification ERAS
E
6.1. ERASE 19h
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (19h)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved Immed Long
2 Reserved
3 Reserved
4 Reserved
5 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
ERASE causes part or all of the remaining data within a partition to be erased beginning at the current logical
position. Any write data that is currently held in the buffer is written to tape before the ERASE is executed.
Immed: If the Immediate bit is set to ZERO, the drive will not return status until the selected operation has
completed. If the bit is set, status will be returned as soon as the operation has been initiated.
Long: The Long bit controls the distance to be erased. The drive will always erase data from its current logical
position and then write 300 frames of EOD. If the bit is set, an EOD is then written to the end of the current partition.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
6-2 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
INQUIRY 6.Command Specification
6.2. INQUIRY 12h
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (12h)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved CmdDT EVPD
2 Page or Operation Code
3 Reserved
4 Allocation Length
5 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
INQUIRY tells the drive to send information regarding the drive parameters to the initiator.
CmdDT: The Command support data (CmdDT) bit of one specifies that the drive returns the optional support data
specified by the operation code field.
If both the CmdDT and EVPD bits are zero, the drive returns the standard INQUIRY data. If the page or operation
code field is not zero when both CmdDT and EVPD are zero, the drive returns a CHECK CONDITION status with an
ILLEGAL REQUEST Sense Key.
If the CmdDT and EVPD bits are one, the drive returns a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL REQUEST
Sense Key.
When the EVPD bit is set to one, the drive returns vital product data that is specified in the page or operation code
field. If the page or operation code field is reserved or not implemented by the target, the target shall terminate the
command with a CHECK CONDITION status. The sense key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST.
When the Cmd DT bit is set to one,the page or operation field specifies the SCSI operation code for which the drive
shall return support data.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
EVPD: The Enable Vital Product Data (EVPD) bit of one specifies that the drive returns the optional vital product
data specified by the page code field.
Allocation Length: This specifies the maximum number of bytes that the initiator has allocated for returned Inquiry
data. An Allocation Length of ZERO indicates that no Inquiry data is transferred. This condition is not considered an
error. The drive will terminate the DATA IN phase when Allocation Length bytes have been transferred or when all
available Inquiry data have been transferred to the initiator, whichever is less.
INQUIRY will return a BUSY status only when the target cannot return the requested Inquiry data. If an INQUIRY is
received from an initiator with a pending UNIT ATTENTION condition (before the drive reports CHECK CONDITION
status), the target will perform the INQUIRY and will not clear the UNIT ATTENTION condition. The drive returns the
standard INQUIRY data as described below.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-3
6.Command Specification INQUIR
Y
Table 6-1: Standard INQUIRY Data
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 Peripheral Qualifier Peripheral Device Type (01h)
1 RMB (1) Device-Type Modifier (0)
2 ISO Version (0) ECMA Version (0) ANSI-Approved Version (2)
3 AENC(0) TrmIOP Reserved (0) Response Data Format (2)
4 Additional Length (1Fh)
5 Reserved
6 Reserved
7 RelAdr (0) WB32 (0) WB16 (1) Sync (1) Linked (0) Reserved CmdQ (0) SftRe (0)
8 (MSB) Vendor Identification
15 (SONY) (LSB)
16 (MSB) Product Identification
31 SDX-250V (LSB)
32 (MSB) Product Revision Level
35 (LSB)
36 Reserved
42 Reserved
43 Drive Mode
49
Peripheral Qualifier and Peripheral Device Type: These fields identify the device that is currently connected to the
logical unit. The drive is a single target, single logical unit device. The logical unit number is set to ZERO. Therefore,
the drive normally returns Peripheral Qualifier set to 000b the specified peripheral device type is currently connected
to this logical unit and Peripheral Device Type set to 01h sequential-access device .However, if the initiator requests
a logical unit number greater than ZERO, the drive returns Peripheral Qualifier set to 011b the target is not capable
of supporting a physical device on this logical unit and Peripheral Device Type set to 1Fh unknown device type .
RMB: The Removable Medium bit is one, indicating that the tape can be removed.
Device-Type Modifier: This is a seven-bit user defined code, set to 00h.
ISO Version: This field is ZERO, indicating that the drive does not necessarily comply with the ISO version of SCSI.
ECMA VERSION: This field is ZERO, indicating that the drive does not necessarily comply with the ECMA version of
SCSI.
ANSI Approved Version: This field is 2, indicating that the drive complies with the ANSI version of SCSI-2.
AENC: The drive does not support asynchronous event notification, so this field is ZERO.
TrmIOP: The drive does not support the Terminate I/O Process message, so this field is ZERO.
Response Data Format: This field is 2 indicating that the INQUIRY DATA format complies with the ANSI version of
SCSI-2.
Additional length: The additional length field specifies the length in bytes of the parameters, in this case, 31 bytes.
RelAdr: The drive does not support the Relative Addressing mode, so this bit is never set.
WBus32: The drive does not support 32-bit wide data transfers, so this bit is never set.
Wbus16: The drive supports 16-bit wide data transfers, so this bit is set.
Sync: The drive supports synchronous data transfers, so this bit is set.
Linked: The drive does not support linked command.
6-4 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
INQUIRY 6.Command Specification
g
)
(
)
g
)
pp
)
pp
)
pp
)
CmdQue: The drive does not support tagged command queuing, so this bit is never set.
SftRe: The drive responds to the RESET condition with a HARD reset, so this bit is never set.
Vendor Identification: This field contains eight bytes of ASCII data identifying the vendor of the product as "SONY".
This and the next two fields are left-aligned with the unused bytes at the end of the fields and filled with space
characters (20h).
Product Identification: This field contains sixteen bytes of ASCII data identifying the product as "SDX-250V" for the
data compression model.
Product Revision Level: This field contains four bytes of ASCII data, which define the SCSI Interface Revision
Level.
Drive Mode: This field shows DRIVE MODE. If Drive Mode is DR-MODE, this field shows following ASCII data Byte
44-48: "DR-10".
Vital Product Data
This contains a list of the vital product data codes supported by the drive.
- Supported Vital Product Data pages
Bit
Byte
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Su
Su
Su
e Code (00h
Pa
Reserved
e Length (03h
Pa
00h
orted Page List (00h
orted Page List (80h
orted Page List (83h
- Unit Serial Number page
Bit
Byte
0
1
2
3
4
13
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Peripheral Qualifier Peripheral Device Type (01h)
Page Code (80h)
Reserved (00h)
Page Length (0Ah)
Product Serial number (in ASCII)
The page length field specifies the length of the product serial number. If the allocation length is too small to transfer
all of the page, the page length shall not be adjusted to reflect the truncation.
The product serial number field contains ASCII data that is vendor-specific. The least significant ASCII character of
the number shall appear as the last byte of a successful data transfer.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-5
6.Command Specification INQUIR
Y
g
)
(
)
g
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
g
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
g
)
g
)
(
)
g
)
- Device Identification page
Bit
Byte
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
15
16
31
32
41
Reserved
Reserved
00h
00h
Vendor ID
Serial Number of the drive
e Code (83h
Pa
Reserved
e Length (32h
Pa
Reserved
Identifier len
00h
00h
th (22h
SONY
Product ID (SDX-250V)
Code set (02h)
Identifier type (01h)
42
43
44
45
46
53
Reserved
IEEE EUI-64 Code
00h
Reserved
Identifier len
Identifier type (02h)
00h
th (08h
IEEE EUI-64: The identifier field a Canonical form IEEE Extended Unique Identifier, 64-bit(EUI-64).(ANSI/IEEE
394:1995)
- Product Revision page
Bit
Byte
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0
1
2
3
4
7
8
Product RevisionLevel
e Code (C0h
Pa
Reserved
e Length (08h
Pa
Reserved
00h
11
Command support data
If the drive implements the requested SCSI operation code, it shall return the data defined in table 6-2. If the device
does not implement the requested SCSI operation code it shall return the peripheral qualifier and type and 001h in
the Support field.
6-6 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
INQUIRY 6.Command Specification
(
)
(0)
(0)
A
(
)
(
)
(
)
Table 6-2: Command support Data
Bit
Byte
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0
1
2
ISO version
Reserved
ECMA version
3
4
5
6
00h
Reserved
Reserved
CDB size
00h
00h
m-5
CDB usage data
Support (03h)
NSI –Approved version (02h)
m
Support : The drive supports the tested SCSI operation code in conformance with a SCSI standard. The data format
conforms to the definition in table 6-2 .
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-7
6.Command Specification LOAD/UNLOA
D
6.3. LOAD/UNLOAD 1Bh
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (1Bh)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved Immed
2 Reserved
3 Reserved
4 Reserved EOT Re-Ten Load
5 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
LOAD/UNLOAD allows the host to tell the drive to enable or disable the media for further operations.
Load: When this bit is set, the drive loads the tape and positions it at the beginning of Partition 0. The load command
is used when the tape has been retained in the drive by the command sequence, Prevent Allow Media Removal(with
prevent bit set), Unload. The drive will automatically perform a Load operation when a tape is inserted, a SCSI Reset
is received, or when power is restored with a tape in the drive. If the bit is not set (UNLOAD), the drive writes any
buffered data to the tape, writes the EOD, then rewinds the tape to BOM and ejects it.
Immed: If this bit is set, status is returned as soon as the load or unload operation is initiated. Otherwise, the status
is returned after the operation has completed.
Re-Ten: If this bit is set, the drive winds to EOM then rewinds to BOM before starting a normal loading sequence.
EOT: An end-of-tape (EOT) bit of one and a Load bit of ZERO indicates that the medium shall be positioned at
end-of-medium for removal from the peripheral device. Prior to performing the unload operation, any buffered data
that is to be written shall be transferred to the medium. An EOT bit of ZERO and Load bit of ZERO indicates that the
medium shall positioned at beginning-of-medium for removal etc. An EOT bit of one and a Load bit of one shall
cause the target to return CHECK CONDITION status. The sense key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and the
additional sense code shall be set to ILLEGAL FIELD IN CDB.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
If the drive has received an UNLOAD command with the Immediate bit set and then receives either another
command which would involve tape motion or TEST UNIT READY, the drive will return a CHECK CONDITION
status with a NOT READY sense key set.
When the drive receives the UNLOAD, it updates the System area of whichever partition on the tape is currently
active. The tape is then rewound to BOM and ejected. The operator must reload the drive manually. If, however, the
drive has previously received a
PREVENT MEDIA REMOVAL (with prevent bit set) command, the tape is retained in the drive. A subsequent LOAD
command will load and position the tape at BOP ZERO. If an UNLOAD were sent instead, the drive would return
NOT READY and the tape would remain within the drive. In this case, the drive requires an PREVENT ALLOW
MEDIA REMOVAL (with prevent bit clear) command before an UNLOAD will eject the tape.
Note: While the PREVENT MEDIA REMOVAL is in effect, the Front Panel EJECT button is completely disabled.
If the cassette is unloaded but has not been ejected from the drive because of moisture detection, then a subsequent
UNLOAD will cause the tape to ejected from the drive. All commands except INQUIRY, REQUEST SENSE and
READ BLOCK LIMITS will return a CHECK CONDITION status with a HARDWARE ERROR sense key set. The
tape may also be ejected via the Front Panel EJECT button.
If no cassette is in drive, both LOAD and UNLOAD will return a CHECK CONDITION status with NOT READY sense
key set
6-8 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOCATE 6.Command Specification
6.4. LOCATE 2Bh
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (2Bh)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved BT(0) CP Immed
2 Reserved
3 (MSB)
4 Block Address
5
6 (LSB)
7 Reserved
8 Partition
9 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
LOCATE command causes the drive to position the logical unit to the specified block address in a specified partition.
Upon completion, the logical position shall be after the specified location. Prior to performing the locate operation,
the drive shall ensure that all buffered data, File-marks, and Set-marks have been transferred to tape.
BT: A block address type (BT) bit=1 is not supported and shall be set to ZERO otherwise a CHECK CONDITION
with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key will be returned.
CP: A change partition (CP) bit of one indicates that a change to the partition specified in the partition field is to occur
prior to positioning to the block specified in the block address field. A CP bit of ZERO indicates no partition change is
to be made and the partition field is to be ignored.
Immed: An immediate (Immed) bit of ZERO indicates that the drive shall not return status until the locate operation
has completed. An Immed bit of one indicates that the drive shall return status as soon as all buffered commands
have completed execution and the command descriptor block of the LOCATE command has been validated. If
CHECK CONDITION status is returned for a LOCATE command with an Immed bit of one, the locate operation shall
not be performed.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Block Address: The Block Address field specifies the block address to which the drive shall be positioned on th e
tape.
Partition: The Partition field specifies which partition to select if the CP bit is one. Refer to the Mode Select
command, Medium Partition page for additional information about partitioning.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-9
6.Command Specification LOG SELECT
6.5. LOG SELECT 4Ch
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (4Ch)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved PCR SP (0)
2 PC Reserved
3 Reserved
4 Reserved
5 Reserved
6 Reserved
7 (MSB) Parameter List Length
8 (LSB)
9 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
The LOG SELECT command provides a means for the Host to manage statistical information maintained by the
device about its own hardware or the installed media. This description should be read in conjunction with the
description of the LOG SENSE command which follows it, to provide the reader with information about log page
format, parameters and supported pages.
PCR: A Parameter Code Reset bit of one and a Parameter List Length of ZERO will cause ALL log pages which can
be cleared, to be cleared. If this field is set and the Parameter List Length field is non-ZERO then the command will
be terminated with a CHECK CONDITION status with the sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST, and an additional
sense code of INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
SP: The device does not have non-volatile RAM into which it may save parameters. Therefore, the Save Page bit is
not supported by this device and shall always be set to ZERO. If the SP bits is set, the command will be terminated
with CHECK CONDITION status with the sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST, and an additional sense code of
INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
PC: The Page Control field defines the type of parameter values to be selected:
Table 6-3: Page Control field values
Value Description
00b
01b
10b
11b
If this field is set to 00b, 10b or 11b and the Parameter List Length field is non-0 then the command will be terminated
with a CHECK CONDITION status with the sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST, and an additional sense code of
INVALID FIELD IN CDB. This is because no modification of these log pages are permitted. For a description of
command behavior if this field is set to 01b then see the description of the Parameter List Length field below.
If this field is set to 10b and the Parameter List length field is 0 then all Current Threshold Values will be reset to the
Default Threshold Values. This is equivalent to no change as Threshold Values cannot be modified.
If this field is set to 11b and the Parameter List Length field is 0 then all Current Cumulative Values will be reset to the
Default Cumulative Values. This is equivalent to all log pages which can be cleared.
Parameter List Length: This field specifies the length in bytes of the LOG SELECT parameter list that shall be
transferred from the initiator to the target during the DATA OUT phase. A parameter list length of ZERO indicates
that no data shall be transferred. This condition shall not be considered as an error (see description of Parameter
Code Reset and Page Control fields above). If this field is non-0 the Page Control field must be 01b.
Current Threshold Values
Current Cumulative Values
Default Threshold Values
Default Cumulative Values
6-10 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SELECT 6.Command Specification
The purpose of the Log Select command is to allow the initiator to modify and initialize parameters within the logs
supported by the device. However in this case, access to individual parameters within log pages is not supported
and so initiator is restricted to resetting complete log pages only.
To achieve this, during the DATA OUT phase the initiator must send the log page header of the page to be cleared,
with the Page Length field set to ZERO. The following pages can be cleared in this manner.
Table 6-4: Page Codes
Page Code Description
02h
03h
07h
34h
35h
39h
Write Error Counter Page
Read Error Counter Page
Last n Error Events Page
Write Frame Error Counter Page
Read Frame Error Counter Page
Data Compression Transfer Log Page
Note: Due to the way in which logs are stored and updated, clearing log page 2 will result in log page 3 also being
cleared and vice versa.
Because of this method of clearing the log pages, the Parameter List Length field must be an integer multiple of the
Log Page Header length (i.e. 4). Otherwise the command will be terminated with a CHECK CONDITION status with
the sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and an additional sense code of INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
If multiple pages are sent during the DATA OUT phase then they must be sent in ascending order according to page
code. Otherwise the command will terminate with a CHECK CONDITION status with the sense key set to ILLEGAL
REQUEST and an additional sense code of ILLEGAL FIELD IN PARAMETER LIST. The same status will be
returned if an unsupported Page Code appears in any header or if the specified page cannot cleared.
Other Log Select Page Codes have been defined for MIC support. MIC Variable Length Information Page is
assigned as 3Eh. Please refer the description for “Log Sense Page 3Eh” and Appendix (MIC) on this Product
Specification Manual. User Volume Note and User Partition Note is automatically created with indicated size, if it is
not exist. User Volume Note size and User Partition Note size must be the same size with current one, if it is already
exist. Just only supersede operation is allowed.
Table 6-5: MIC Variable Length Information Parameter Codes
Parameter Code Description Length
0001h User Volume Note n-3
0002h User Partition Note for Partition 0 n-3
0003h User partition Note for Partition 1 n-3
N User partition Note for Partition N-2
n-3
(only when AIT bit is ONE)
1. See Note for Log Sense Page 3Eh.
2. If there is no User Volume Note and there is no User Partition Note, User Volume Note will be created for the
specific Length if it does not exceed the Available Free Byte Count returned in Log Sense Page 3Dh
Parameter Code 0003h. If there is existing User Volume Note and User Partition Note data the new User
Volume Note data must be exactly the same size as the existing User Volume Note data, otherwise a Check
Condition status will be returned and no new data will be written to MIC. If there is existing User Volume Note
data but no User Partition Note data then User Volume Note length may be equal to the Available Free Byte
Count.
3. If there is User Partition 00 Note data, but no User Partition 01 Note data User Partition 01 Note data will b e
created for the specified Length, if it does not exceed the Available Free Byte Count. If there is both User
Partition 00 Note data and User Partition 01 Note data, new User Partition 00 Note data size must be exactly
the same size as the existing User Partition 00 Note data size, otherwise a Check Condition status will be
returned, and no new data will be written to MIC.
4. There is no format to writing user data to MIC. The application is free to define MIC data for its use.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-11
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
6.6. LOG SENSE 4Dh
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (4Dh)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved PPC(0) SP(0)
2 PC Page Code
3 (MSB)
4 Parameter Pointer
5
6 (LSB)
7 (MSB) Allocation Length
8 (LSB)
9 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
LOG SENSE provides a means for the Host to retrieve statistical information maintained by the device about its own
hardware or the installed media. It is a complementary command to the LOG SELECT command.
SP: The device does not have non-volatile RAM into which it may save parameters. Therefore, the Save Page bit is
not supported by this device and shall always be set to ZERO. If the SP bit is set, the command will be terminated
with CHECK CONDITION status with the sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST, and an additional sense code of
INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
PPC: The Parameter Pointer Control bit shall always be set to ZERO. This indicates that the parameter data
requested from the device will start with the parameter code specified in the Parameter Pointer field and return the
number of bytes specified in the Allocation Length field in ascending order of parameter codes from the specified log
page. A PPC bit of ZERO and a Parameter Pointer field of ZERO cause all available parameter data for that page
code to be returned to the initiator. If the PPC bit is set or the Parameter Pointer is larger than the highest numbered
parameter on the page, then the target shall terminate the command with CHECK CONDITION status. The sense
key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and the additional sense code shall be set to INVALID FIELD IN CDB. If the
drive does not support a parameter code within this page then it shall not return any data associated with this
parameter.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
PC: The Page Control field defines the type of parameter values to be selected. The page control field is defined
below:
Table 6-6: Page Control field values
Value Type of Parameter Values
00b
01b
10b
11b
The Current Threshold Values and the Default Threshold Values are non-changeable and will both return the same
values-i.e. the maximum values that each parameter can attain. Note that for some parameters the term threshold
value has no meaning. See the description of individual pages/parameters below for more details.
The Current Cumulative Values are the values computed since the last reset of the device (either by power-cycling,
BUS DEVICE RESET or SCSI RESET). Note that for some parameters these values cannot be reset by any
method. See description of individual pages/parameters below for more details.
The Default Cumulative Values are the values to which each parameter gets initialized on a reset condition as
described above. See description of individual pages/parameters below for more details.
Current Threshold Values
Current Cumulative Values
Default Threshold Values
Default Cumulative Values
6-12 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
Page Code: The Page Code field identifies which log page is being requested by the initiator. If the page is not
supported then the command will terminate with a CHECK CONDITION status with the sense key set to ILLEGAL
REQUEST and an additional sense code of INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
Supported pages are:
Table 6-7: Supported Log Pages
Page Code Description Allocation Length
00h
02h
03h
07h
30h
31h
33h
34h
35h
39h
3Ch
Parameter Pointer: The Parameter Pointer field allows the host to specify at which parameter within a log page the
requested data should begin.
Supported Log Pages
Write Error Counter Page
Read Error Counter Page
Last n Error Events Page
Tape Log Page (Sony Unique)
Tape Capacity Log Page
Drive Usage Page (Sony Unique)
Write Frame Error Counter Page
Read Frame Error Counter Page
Data Compression Transfer Log Page
AIT Log Page
12h
20h
20h
1A8h (max)
5Ch
24h / 404h (404h–AIT mode )
8Eh
3Ch
4Ch
5Ch
90h x Partition number +4
For example if a page supported parameters 0 through 5, and the Parameter Pointer field contained 3 then only
parameters 3, 4 and 5 would be returned to the initiator. Similarly, if a page supported parameters 1, 3 and 6, and the
Parameter Pointer field contained 2, then only parameters 3 and 6 would be returned to the initiator.
Note that parameters within a page are always returned in ascending order according to parameter code. If an
invalid parameter pointer is sent the drive will return CHECK CONDITION with the sense key set to ILLEGAL
REQUEST and an additional sense code of INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
Allocation Length: The Allocation Length field is used to inform the target how much space the initiator has
allocated for data. The drive will give a CHECK CONDITION because of this. It will return whatever host requests,
up to the total data. Note however that if this field is 0 then this is not considered an error and the device will just
return a GOOD STATUS.
6.6.1 The Log Page Descriptor
The format of the log pages consists of ZERO or more variable-length parameter structures. Each page begins with
a 4-byte page header followed by ZERO or more variable-length parameter structures defined for that page. The Log
Select command supports the ability to send ZERO or more log pages. The LOG SENSE command returns a single
log page as specified in the Page Code field of the CDB.
Table 6-8: Log Page Format
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code
1 Reserve
2 (MSB) Page Length (n-3)
3 (LSB)
Log Parameters(s)
4 - x+3 The First Log Parameter (Length x)
.
n-y n The Last Log Parameter (Length y)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
.
.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-13
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
Page code: Identifies which page of data is being transferred. If the Page Code field value is reserved or not
implemented by the target, the target shall terminate the command with a CHECK CONDITION status. The sense
key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST, and the additional sense code shall be set to INVALID FIELD IN
PARAMETER LIST.
Page Length: The Page Length field indicates the total number of bytes that follow this byte. The value returned for
this field depends on the value you specified for the Page Code and the Parameter Pointer in the CDB. This value is
independent of what you specified for the Allocation Length. A Page Length value that results in the truncation of any
parameter shall cause the target to terminate the command with CHECK CONDITION status. The sense key shall
be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and the additional sense code shall be set to INVALID FIELD IN PARAMETER LIST.
6.6.2. The Log Parameter Descriptor
Most log pages contain one or more special data structures called log parameters. These may be data counters
which record the occurrence of certain events, or they may be more complex structures which describe activities or
other events which occur within the device. Each parameter structure begins with a 4-byte parameter header
followed by one or more bytes of parameter structure data. The 4-byte header is shown below:
Table 6-9: Log Parameter
Bit
Byte
0 (MSB) Parameter Code
1 (LSB)
2 DU DS(1) TSD ETC TMC Reserved LP
3 Parameter Length (n-3)
4 Parameter Value
n
Parameter Code: Identifies which parameter of data is being transferred. If the parameter code value is reserved or
not implemented by the target, then the target shall terminate the command with CHECK CONDITION status. The
sense key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and the additional sense code shall be set to INVALID FIELD IN
PARAMETER LIST.
The DU, DS, TSD, ET, TMC, and LP fields are collectively referred to as the control byte.
DU: The DU bit (Disable Update) is not defined for threshold values (indicated by the PC field of the LOG SENSE
command descriptor block). The target shall ignore the value of any DU bits in a LOG SELECT command.
DS: The DS bit informs the initiator that savable parameters are disabled (i.e. not supported), and should always be
1. If it is 0 the command will terminate with CHECK CONDITION status with sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST
and additional sense code of ILLEGAL FIELD IN PARAMETER LIST.
TSD: A target save disable (TSD) bit of ZERO indicates a target-defined method for saving log parameters. This
implicit saving operation shall be done frequently enough to insure that the cumulative parameter values retain
statistical significance (i.e. across power cycles). A TSD bit of one indicates that either the target does not provide a
target-defined method for saving log parameters or the target-defined method has been disabled by the initiator. If
the initiator sets both the DS and the TSD bits set to one, the target shall terminate the command with CHECK
CONDITION status. The sense key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST with the additional sense code set to
INVALID FIELD IN PARAMETER LIST.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
ETC: An enable threshold comparison (ETC) bit of one indicates that when the cumulative parameter value is
updated, it shall be compared to the threshold parameter value and the action specified by the TMC field shall be
taken. An (ET) bit of ZERO disables this comparison. The ET bit is the same for both the cumulative and threshold
log parameter. Thus when the ET bit is set to a value by the initiator, this value is returned for both the cumulative
and threshold values of the log parameter.
6-14 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
TMC: The threshold met criteria (TMC) field defines the binary relationship between the cumulative and threshold
log parameter values under which the threshold is met. If the ET bit is one and the threshold condition is met, a Unit
Attention condition shall be posted to all initiators. When reporting the unit attention condition, the target shall set the
sense key to UNIT ATTENTION, the additional sense code to LOG EXCEPTION, and the additional sense code
qualifier to THRESHOLD CONDITION MET.
The TMC field is the same for both the cumulative and threshold parameter. Thus when the TMC field is set to a
value by the initiator, this value is returned for both cumulative and threshold values of the log parameter.
Table 6-10: Threshold Met criteria
TMC Threshold Met Criteria
00b
01b
10b
11b
LP: The LP bit field defines whether the parameter is a data counter or a list parameter. See the description of each
supported page below for information on the setting of this field.
Note: If any of the other bit-fields in the control byte are set then the command will terminate with a CHECK
CONDITION status with a sense key of ILLEGAL REQUEST and an additional sense code of INVALID FIELD IN
PARAMETER LIST
Any update of the parameter
Cumulative = Threshold
Cumulative < > Threshold
Cumulative > Threshold
6.6.3. Supported Log Pages
The following log pages are supported:
Table 6-11: Supported Log pages
Page Code Description Allocation Length
00h
02h
03h
07h
30h
31h
33h
34h
35h
39h
3Ch
A description of each supported log page is given below.
6.6.3.1. Summary List of Supported Pages
The summary list of supported log pages returns the list of page codes supported by the target. This page is only
valid for the Log Sense command and if sent to the host during a Log Select command will cause termination with
CHECK CONDITION status with sense key set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and additional sense code of INVALID
FIELD IN PARAMETER LIST.
Supported Log Pages
Write Error Counter Page
Read Error Counter Page
Last n Error Events Page
Tape Log Page (Sony Unique)
Tape Capacity Log Page
Drive Usage Log Page (Sony Unique)
Write Frame Error Counter Page
Read Frame Error Counter Page
Transfer Log Page
AIT Log Page
12h
20h
20h
1A8h (max.)
5Ch
24h/404h( 404h–AIT mode)
8Eh
3Ch
4Ch
5Ch
90h X Partition_number +4
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-15
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
Table 6-12: Supported Log Pages
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code (00h)
1 Reserved (00h)
2 (MSB) Page Length (00 0Eh)
3 (LSB)
4 Supported Page List
17 (00 02 03 07 2E 30 31 33 34 35 39 3C)
This page returns the summary list of supported log pages for the specified logical unit to the requesting initiator.
IMPLEMENTORS NOTE: Typically, an initiator should first request page ZERO to determine the list of pages
supported by the device. The page code parameters are a list containing the page codes of the supported pages for
the logical unit in ascending order. Note that neither Threshold nor Cumulative values have any meaning for this
page.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
6.6.4. Write and Read Error Counters Pages
The Error Counters Pages (Write and Read) are used to report statistical information about Write and Read soft and
hard errors and retries. Each parameter is a counter which is updated by the target every time the corresponding
event occurs. The format of the Error Counters Pages is given below:
Table 6-13: Write/Read Error counters page
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code (02h or 03h)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (n)
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Parameter Code
5 (LSB)
6 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (00) Reserved LP (0)
7 Parameter Length (n-3)
8 (MSB) Parameter Value
N (LSB)
The Page Code is one of the following:
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Table 6-14: Page Code
Page Code Description
02h
03h
The following parameter codes are supported for each Error Counters Page:
6-16 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
Write error Counter Page
Read error Counter Page
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
Table 6-15: Error Counter parameter codes
Parameter
Code
0003h Total Errors Corrected (Soft Errors) 2 0 FFFFh
0004h Total Times Correction 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0005h Total Groups Processed (Algorithm
Processed)
0006h Total Errors Uncorrected (Hard Errors) 2 0 FFFFh
Description Parameter
Length
(Bytes)
4 0 FFFFFFFFh
Default
Cumulative
Default
Threshold
6.6.5. Last N Error Events List
This page is used to report information on soft and hard errors encountered by the device during normal operation.
Each parameter corresponds to an encountered error and is a report of what type of error occurred and when it
occurred. The format of the page is given below:
Table 6-16: Last N Error Events Page
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code (07h)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (n*14)
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Parameter Code
5 (LSB)
6 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (00) Reserved LP (1)
7 Parameter Length (0Ah)
8 Parameter Value
17
The Parameter Codes supported are 1 through 30 where 30 is the maximum number of entries in the log page.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
If there are no entries, the command will return the Page Header with the Page Length field set to ZERO.
Each error event record contains diagnostic information for a single error encountered by the device. The parameter
codes associated with the error-event records indicate the order in which the errors occurred. A higher parameter
code indicates that the error event occurred later in time.
Each parameter entry is 10 bytes long and has the following format:
Table 6-17: Error Event format
Byte Offset Meaning
0–4
5
6–9
When the log page becomes full, no more entries will be added until the log is cleared (using one of the methods
described previously) or a reset occurs. The current cumulative values will be returned regardless of the page
control field in the LOG SENSE CDB.
Result Message (see Diagnostic Clause)
Unused
Time-stamp (number of 1 minute increments since power-on)
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-17
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
6.6.6. Tape Log Page (Sony Unique)
This page is a Sony unique page which provides information on the tape currently being used. This log cannot be
cleared and has the following format:
Table 6-20: Tape Log Page
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code (30h)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (58h)
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Parameter Code
5
6 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (00) Reserved LP (0)
7 Parameter Length (m)
8 Parameter Value
3+m
This page is used to return Tape Log information to the host in a format which conforms to the LOG SENSE
command page format.
Supported Parameter Codes in this page are listed below along with their meanings:
This information is contained within RAM in the Drive Controller. When a cassette is loaded, the contents of the
System Area are copied into this log. The log is updated as the tape is used and is copied back onto the System
Area when the cassette is unloaded (if the tape is Write enabled).
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Table 6-21: Tape Log parameter codes
Parameter Code Description Description
001h
002h
003h
004h
005h
006h
007h
008h
009h
00Ah
00Bh
00Ch
00Dh
Current number of Groups Written
Current number of RAW Retries
Current number of Groups Read
Current number of ECC-3 Retries
Previous number of Groups Written
Previous number of RAW Retries
Previous number of Groups Read
Previous number of ECC-3 Retries
Total number of Groups Written
Total number of RAW Retries
Total number of Groups Read
Total number of ECC-3 Retries
Load Count
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
4
3
4
3
2
Note: The System Area only contains 'previous' and 'total' information - (when the cassette is unloaded, the 'current'
values become the System Area 'previous' values).
The term 'current' refers to information generated during the current load of the tape; 'previous' refers to information
generated during the last tape load; 'total' refers to information generated during the life of the tape since it was first
initialized including the current load.
6-18 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
Use: An estimate of reading and writing performance can be made by the ratios of 'RAW retries' to 'groups written'
and 'ECC-3 retries' to 'groups read'. An indication of tape degradation can be gained by comparing these ratios for
'current', 'previous' and 'total' entries.
Any attempt to change this page using LOG SELECT will result in a CHECK CONDITION with a Sense Key of
ILLEGAL REQUEST. The current cumulative values will be returned regardless of the Page Control field in the LOG
SENSE CDB.
6.6.7. Tape Capacity Log Page
The tape Capacity Log Page is used to indicate the approximate capacity of the tape currently being used. The PC
field of the LOG SENSE command is ignored for this field.
When the AIT bit is set to ZERO in Mode Sense Page 31h, the 36 bytes of the log page shall be returned.
When the AIT bit is set to ONE, the 1028 bytes of the log page shall be returned.
The 36 bytes of the log page have the following format.
Table 6-22: Tape Capacity Log Page
Bit
Byte
0 Page Code(31h)
1 Reserved (0)
2 (MSB) Page Length (00 20h when AIT bit =0
3 04 00h when AIT bit =1) (LSB)
4 (MSB) Parameter Code
5 (LSB)
6 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (1) ETC (0) TMC (11) Reserved (0) LP (0)
7 Parameter Length (04h)
8 (MSB) Parameter Value
11 (LSB)
Tape Capacity Log Page Parameters:
Code Value: When AIT bit is set to ZERO in Mode Sense Page 31h
0001 Remaining capacity, partition 0 (kilobytes)
0002 Remaining capacity, partition 1 (kilobytes), For a single partition tape, it will be ZERO.
0003 Maximum capacity, partition 0 (kilobytes)
0004 Maximum capacity, partition 1 (kilobytes). For a single partition tape, it will be ZERO.
Code Value: When AIT bit is set to ONE in Mode Sense Page 31h
0001 Remaining capacity, partition 0 (kilobytes)
0002 Remaining capacity, partition 1 (kilobytes)
0003 Maximum capacity, partition 0 (kilobytes)
0004 Maximum capacity, partition 1 (kilobytes)
0005 Remaining capacity, partition 2 (kilobytes)
0006 Remaining capacity, partition 3 (kilobytes)
0007 Maximum capacity, partition 2 (kilobytes)
0008 Maximum capacity, partition 3 (kilobytes)
007D Remaining capacity, partition 62 (kilobytes)
007E Remaining capacity, partition 63 (kilobytes)
007F Maximum capacity, partition 62 (kilobytes)
0080 Maximum capacity, partition 63 (kilobytes)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
.
.
.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-19
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
6.6.8. Drive Usage Log Page (Sony Unique)
This page is a SONY unique page which provides information on the drive currently being used. This log cannot be
cleared and has the following format.
Table 6-23: Drive Usage Log Page
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code (33h)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (8ah)
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Parameter Code
5 (LSB)
6 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (00) Reserved LP (0)
7 Parameter Length (m)
8 Parameter Value
7+m
This page is used to return the vendor unique Drive Usage Log information to the host in a format which conforms to
the Log Sense command page format.
Supported Parameter Codes in this page are listed below with their meaning:
Table 6-24 : Supported Parameter Codes
Parameter Code Length (bytes)
0001h
0002h
0003h
0004h
0005h
0006h
0007h
0008h
0009h
0011h-0018h
Drum revolution minute
Load count
Thread count
Mechanism motion count (rotary encoder)
* Cleaning Request Flag and Interval (minute)
EEPROM written count
MD serial number
All board revision number
Drive serial number
Last 8 Mechanism Error Events List
3
2
2
3
3
3
4
6
4
5×8
* Detail of the Cleaning Request Flag and Interval
Byte 2 Byte 1 Byte 0
b7 b6b5 b4 b3 b2 b1 b0B7b6b5b4b3b2b1b0b7b6b5b4b3b2b1 B
↔
Cleaning Request Status (1 = Request)
← Drum Rotation Time Interval from the last cleaning (minutes) →
0
All board revision number is 6 bytes long and has a following format:
0
SSS Board revision
1
2
BDC Board revision
3
4
RF Board revision
5
Each Mechanism Error Event is 5 bytes long and has following format:
6-20 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
Table 6-25: Mechanism Error Event Format
Byte offset Meaning
0
1
2-4
Executing Mechanism Commands
Forward-ATF-On
Spool-Forward
Thread
Un-tension
Reverse
Spool-Reverse
Unthread
Stop
Eject
Still
Forward
Load
Re-tension
Re-start
Pinch-On
Pinch-Of
Error code
Executing Mechanism Commands when error was detected
Time-stamp(minute)
01h
07h
0Fh
10h
11h
17h
20h
21h
22h
23h
30h
31h
32h
33h
36h
37h
Search-Standby
PWM-Drive
Diagnostics
40h
41h
80h
6.6.9. Read and Write Frame Error Counter Page
The Read and Write Error Counter Page has the following format. All fields in these logs are initialized to ZERO in
the following circumstances:
At Power On
After a cassette loading
After a user sends a request for initialization through Log Select
After a SCSI Bus Reset
Following configuration for error rate testing
Table 6-26: Read and Write Frame Error Counter Page
Bit
Byte
0 Page Code (34h Write Frame Error Counters, 35h Read Frame Error Counters)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (38h/48h)
3 (LSB)
Error Counter Descriptors
Bit
Byte
0 (MSB) Parameter Code
1 (LSB)
2 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (0) Reserved LP (0)
3 Parameter Length (4)
4 (MSB) Parameter Value
7 (LSB)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-21
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
Parameter Code: This identifies which parameter of data is being transferred. The following codes are supported for
each Error Counter Page.
Parameter Code Length Default Cumulative Default Threshold
0001h Frame Read or Write 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0002h Main Data SYMN Block Errors CH1 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0003h Main Data SYMN Block Errors CH2 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0004h Reserved 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0005h Reserved 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0006h Reserved 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0007h Reserved 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0008h Total Retry Count (Read Only) 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
0009h C2 un-correctable Block (Read Only) 4 0 FFFFFFFFh
Block_Error_Rate [CH1] = Param0002h/(Param0001h×224) [AIT1]
Param0002h/(Param0001h×336) [AIT2]
Block_Error_Rate [CH2] = Param0003h/(Param0001h×224) [AIT1]
Param0003h/(Param0001h×336) [AIT2]
6.6.10. Data Compression Transfer Log Page
The page allows the host to monitor the performance of the ALDC compression. The PC field in LOG SENSE
determines whether current cumulative, or current/default threshold values are returned. The page has the following
format:
Table 6-27: Data Compression Transfer Log Page
Bit
Byte
0 Page Code (39h)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (58h)
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Parameter Code (n)
5 (LSB)
6 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (00) Reserved LP (0)
7 Parameter Length (4)
8 (MSB) Parameter Value
11 (LSB)
Data Compression Log Page Fields:
Supported Parameter Codes in this page and their meanings are as follows:
Code Description
0001h
0002h
0003h
0004h
0005h
0006h
0007h
0008h
0009h
000Ah
000Bh
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Number of entities written
Number of entities read
Number of records written
Number of records read
Kilobytes to data compression
Kilobytes from data compression
Kilobytes to tape
Kilobytes from tape
Logical entity size
Physical entity size
Uncompressed entities
6-22 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
Entities Written/Read: The total number of complete entities written to or read from the tape since the last power-on
or Clear Log operation.
Records Written/Read: The total number of records(both compressed and uncompressed) written to or read from
the tape since the last power-on or Clear Log operation.
Kilobytes to/from Data Compression: The total number of kilobytes written to or read from the tape since the last
power-on or Clear Log operation. For Kilobytes from Data Compression, this number may be greater than the
number of kilobytes transferred to the host due to read ahead.
Logical Entity Size: The logical size of the last entity written to or read from the tape: size = number of record in
entity × record size in bytes
Physical Entity Size: The physical size of the last entity written to or read from the tape: size = entity header length
+ uncompressed data length
Uncompressed Entities: The total number of times non-ALDC entities have been encountered on the tape during
read operations since the last power-on or Clear Log operation.
LOG SENSE Commands: From these figures, the host can calculate the average compression ratio achieved by
the autoloader since the last power-on or Clear Log operation as follows:
Average_compression_ratio=Kilobytes_to_data_compression/Kilobytes_to_tape
Similarly, the host can calculate instantaneous compression ratio achieved by the autoloader for a particular read or
write command:
Instantaneous_compression_ratio=Logical_entity_size/Physical_entity_size
6.6.11. AIT Log Page (3Ch)
This page is for the AIT original Tape Log. The AIT Tape Log of each fields are larger than legacy Tape Log Page.
The legacy Tape Log Page returns the part of AIT original.
Table 6-28: AIT Log Page
Bit
Byte
0 Page Code (3Ch)
1 Reserved
2 (MSB) Page Length (n+1)
3 (LSB)
Bit
Byte
0 (MSB) Parameter Code (0001h - 0012h and 0101h - 0112h)
1 (LSB)
2 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ET (0) TMC (00) Reserved LP (0)
3 Parameter Length (n-3)
4 (MSB) Parameter Value
N (LSB)
Previous Groups Written: This is the number of groups physically written to the tape or partition since the last
update of the System area. Where Repeat Writing is in force, this count increments for each instance.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
7
6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Total Groups Written: This is the total number of groups physically written to the tape or partition since the first time
the tape or partition was written. The number accumulates over the life of the tape but is ZEROed by a format pass.
Where Repeat Writing is in force, this count increments for each instance.
Previous Groups Read: This is the number of groups physically read from the tape or partition since the last update
of the System area.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-23
6.Command Specification LOG SENSE
Total Groups Read: This is the total number of groups physically read from the tape or partition since the first time
the tape or partition was written. This does not include any reading as part of a Read-After-Write check. The number
accumulates over the life of the tape but is ZEROed by a format pass.
Total Rewritten Frames: This is the total number of frames on the tape or within the partition that were needed to be
rewritten since the tape or partition was first written. It is incremented by 1 each time a frame is repeated following
error detection by the Read-After-Write process. This count does not include any frames which are written between
the original frame and its rewrite. The number accumulates over the life of the tape but is ZEROed by a format pass.
Total 3rd ECC Count: This is the number of groups which have been physically read and data has not been
recovered without requiring the use of C3 correction since the first time the tape or partition was written. The number
accumulates over the life of the tape but is ZEROed by a format pass.
Access Count: This is the number of times the drive accesses the partition. The both an "Unload" and a "Change
Partition" is the event for incrementing the Access Count counter.
Update Replace Count: This is the number of times the drive update the partition.
Previous Rewritten Frames: This is the number of frames on the tape or within the partition that were needed to be
rewritten since the last update of the System area. It is incremented by 1 each time a frame is repeated following
error detection by the Read-After-Write process. This count does not include any frames which are written between
the original frame and its rewrite.
Previous 3rd ECC Count: This is the number of groups which have been physically read and data has not been
recovered without requiring the use of C3 correction since the last update of the System area.
Load Count: This is the number of times the tape has been loaded since the first time a tape was written. One load
consists of threading the media around the drum of the drive mechanism, positioning the tape ready for use and later
unthreading the media. The number accumulates over the life of the tape but is ZEROed by a format pass. This field
is Reserved in the System Log of Partition 0 of a multiple partitioned tape.
Last Valid Absolute Frame Number: This field shall specify the Absolute Frame Number which is the number of
Frames written since the beginning of the partition, excluding any Frames that are written in the test area. The first
Frame of the Reference area is the first Frame after the Logical Beginning-Of-Tape (LBOT) point of the current
partition and has an Absolute Frame Number of 1. Any discontinuous or repeated numbers shall occur only in an
Amble Frame sequence.
Maximum Absolute Frame Count: This field shall specify the Absolute Frame Number of the last Frame of the last
EOD Area as the Maximum Absolute Frame Number. After that, the Maximum Absolute Frame Number is equal to
the Valid Maximum Absolute Frame Number, because the whole data area in the partition contains valid data. The
Maximum Absolute Frame Number shall not be changed as long as the partition size is the same.
Partition Attributes: Both Log Sense and Log Select are available for this field. This field shall specify the attribute
of the partition as follows.
OC: (Read Only bit) If this bit indicates 1 then the Partition is still opened. This bit always managed by SDX-250V
and cannot modify by others.
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 (MSB) Parameter Code (0011h)
1 (LSB)
2 DU (0) DS (1) TSD (0) ETC (0) TMC (00)
Reserved
LP (0)
3 Parameter Length (4)
4 Reserved (00h)
5 Reserved (00h)
6 Reserved (00h)
7 OC 0 0 0 Reserved
SDX-250V shall set OC before start writing operation, and reset OC after end writing operation. In case of the
emergency like sudden power outage while writing operation, OC will be 1 even if no body perform writing now. By
this technique, SDX-250V can detect the partition have had a corruption.
6-24 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
LOG SENSE 6.Command Specification
Parameter Code:
Code Description Length
0001h
0002h
0003h
0004h
0005h
0006h
0007h
0008h
0009h
000Ah
000Bh
000Ch
000Dh
000Eh
000Fh
0010h
0011h
0012h
Current Number of Groups Written
Current RAW Retries
Current Number of Groups Read
Current C3 ECC Retries
Previous Number of Group Written
Previous RAW Retries
Previous Number of Group Read
Previous C3 ECC Retries
Total Number of Groups Written
Total RAW Retries
Total Number of Groups Read
Total C3 ECC Retries
Load Count
Access Count
Update Replace Count
Last Valid Absolute Frame Number
Partition Attribute
Maximum Absolute Frame Number
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Code Description Length
0101h
0102h
0103h
0104h
0105h
0106h
0107h
0108h
0109h
010Ah
010Bh
010Ch
010Dh
010Eh
010Fh
0110h
0111h
0112h
Current Number of Groups Written
Current RAW Retries
Current Number of Groups Read
Current C3 ECC Retries
Previous Number of Group Written
Previous RAW Retries
Previous Number of Group Read
Previous C3 ECC Retries
Total Number of Groups Written
Total RAW Retries
Total Number of Groups Read
Total C3 ECC Retries
Load Count
Access Count
Update Replace Count
Last Valid Absolute Frame Number
Partition Attribute
Maximum Absolute Frame Number
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Note: The upper byte of Parameter Code indicates the Partition Number.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-25
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
6.7. MODE SELECT 15h
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (15h)
1 Logical Unit Number PF Reserved SP (0)
2 Reserved
3 Reserved
4 Parameter List Length
5 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
MODE SELECT enables the Host to configure the drive. Similarly MODE SENSE enables the Host to identify which
configuration parameters the drive supports and what its current configuration is. Implementing MODE SELECT and
MODE SENSE requires a certain amount of "handshaking" between the Host and the drive. Before configuring the
drive, the Host should issue a MODE SENSE. This allows the drive to return its current configuration and indicate
what parameters are configurable. The Host interprets this information and may then issue a MODE SELECT
command to set up the drive to the Host’s preferred configuration.
Note: In the MODE SELECT and MODE SENSE (operation code 1Ah) descriptions much of the information
overlaps and therefore the two descriptions should be read in conjunction.
MODE SELECT allows the initiator to specify configuration parameters to the drive.
The drive always powers-up with its default configurations set. This is also true, if the drive receives a BUS DEVICE
RESET message or a hard reset through the RST line on the SCSI bus.
PF: The Page Format bit indicates that the data sent by the Host after the MODE SELECT header and block
descriptors complies with the definition of pages as set out in SCSI-2.
SP: The Save Parameters bit instructs the drive to save all savable pages. This bit is not supported and the drive will
return a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key, if it is set.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Parameter List Length: This specifies the length, in bytes, of the MODE SELECT parameter list that is transferred
during the DATA OUT phase. A ZERO parameter list length indicates that no data is transferred. The Parameter List
length must be a value which coincides with header, block descriptor or page boundaries. If this does not occur then
the drive will return a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
The MODE SELECT parameter list shown below, contains a four-byte header, followed by one eight-byte block
descriptor.
Table 6-31: MODE SELECT parameter list
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved
1 Reserved
2 Reserved Buffered Mode Speed (00h)
3 Block Descriptor Length (08h)
4 Density Code
5 (MSB) Number of Blocks (00 00 00h)
6
7 (LSB)
8 Reserved
9 (MSB) Block Length
10
11 (LSB)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
6-26 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
Buffered Mode: Buffered Mode is the mechanism by which the drive implements Immediate Reporting on WRITE
commands.
If the field is ZERO, then the drive does not report a GOOD status on WRITE commands until the data blocks are
actually written to tape.
If the Buffered Mode field is one, then the drive reports GOOD status on WRITE commands as soon as the data
block has been transferred to the buffer. This is the default configuration for the drive.
If Buffered Mode field is ZERO the drive will operate in non-Buffered Mode. In non-Buffered Mode the drive will not
report SCSI status on a Write Command until all data is on tape, or the write retry is exceeded. The drive may suffer
a significant degradation in capacity and SCSI throughput. If the write data is much smaller than an AIT Group the
unused area of AIT Group will be marked as non data on tape. This AIT Group results in under-utilization of tape
area and therefore a reduction in tape capacity. The next Write Command will create a new AIT Group for Write data
and append to last AIT Group. It will not append to the last record within the unused area of the previous AIT Group.
For example, if the Write Command block size or record size is 4,096 bytes and it is variable block mode and there is
no data in buffer (from a previous buffered Write) the AIT Group will contain only 4,096 bytes of data and
(801,792-4,096-(40+8))=797,648 bytes of non data on tape. The description of the values for the unused part of the
AIT Group is:
AIT-E Turbo:
1202,688 = size of AIT Group.
40 = size of the Group Information Table (GIT) of the AIT Group.
8 = size of the Block Access Table (BAT) of the AIT Group.
The SCSI throughput is reduced because the Write Command is not completed until either all the data is on tape, or
the write retry is exceeded.
Speed: The drive only supports one speed, the default speed. Because of this, this field must be set to ZERO. Any
other value will cause a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key is returned.
Block Descriptor Length: This specifies the length in bytes of all the block descriptors. Since the drive only allows
one block descriptor, this value must be eight. Any other value will cause a CHECK CONDITION status with an
ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key to be returned.
Note: The block descriptor specifies the media characteristics for the SDX drive. The block descriptor contains the
density code, number of blocks and block length fields.
Density Code: The supported values for the density code field are defined in the following table.
Note: 00h-Default: The use of the word “Default” is SCSI specific. It instructs the drive to use its default or only
density.
Table 6-32: Sequential-Access Density Codes
Code Value Code Value
00h
38h
7Fh
Default Format
AIT-E Turbo
No change from previous density
Number of Blocks: A MODE SENSE field which will be returned as ZERO, indicating that all of the remaining
logical blocks on the media will have the medium characteristics specified by the block descriptor, or until a
subsequent MODE SELECT command changes those parameters. This field must be set to ZERO on a MODE
SELECT otherwise a CHECK CONDITION status will be returned with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key.
Block length: The Block Length field specifies the length in bytes of each logical block transferred over the SCSI
bus. A block length of ZERO indicates that the length is variable. Any other value indicates the number of bytes per
block that the drive must handshake over the bus. This establishes block length such that the transfer length for
read, write and verify type commands will be a block count not a byte count.
Note: It is value of this field together with the Fixed Bit Field in the READ, or WRITE commands that determines
whether the drive is in Fixed or Variable block mode.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-27
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
Mode Fixed Bit in Read, Write & Verify
Fixed Block
Variable Block
1
0
Block Length in
Mode Select/Sense
Block Size
0
The default fixed block size is 512 bytes however, the drive will accept a variable command (fixed bit of ZERO)
without reporting an error.
Note: Minimum block-size is 2. If a non ZERO block-size is 1, CHECK CONDITION status will be return, and Sense
Key will be ILLEGAL REQUEST.
Following the Block Descriptor are the MODE SELECT pages. They are the method by which the device parameters
are set. Each page has a two byte header which identifies the page code and indicates the number of bytes in that
page.
Table 6-33: MODE SELECT Page Header
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 PS Reserved Page Code
1 Additional Page Length
PS: when the Page Savable bit is set, this indicates that the page contains saved parameters. This bit will never be
set as there is no non-volatile RAM on the drive into which parameter data may be saved.
The page codes that are supported are:
Table 6-34: Supported MODE SELECT Page Codes
Page Code Description Parameter List Length
00h
02h
0Fh
10h
11h
1Ch
Standard Sense
Disconnect-Reconnect
Data Compression Control
Device Configuration
Medium Partitions Parameter
Information Exception Control
0Ch
0Ch+10h=1Ch
0Ch+10h=1Ch
0Ch+10h=1Ch
0Ch+0Ch=18h ( when AIT bit is ZERO )
0Ch+0Ch=18h
31h AIT Device Configuration 0Ch+0Ah=16h
3Fh Return All Pages 0Ch+10h+10h+10h+0Ch+0Ah=5Eh
n: Partition Number
Additional Page Length: Indicates the number of bytes in that page. The value does not, however, include bytes 0
and 1. The length is returned on MODE SENSE and must subsequently be set to the same value when performing
MODE SELECT.
If the page length does not match that expected by the drive a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with the sense
key to set to ILLEGAL REQUEST.
The drive also returns a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key if the Host sends an
unsupported Page Code, a page field with values that are not supported or are not changeable. In this case, no
parameters will have been changed by the command.
6-28 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
6.7.1. Disconnect-Reconnect Page (02h)
The drive supports the Disconnect-Reconnect Page which has the following format:
Table 6-35: Disconnect-Reconnect Page
Bit
Byte
0 PS (0) Reserved Page Code (02h)
1 Page Length (0Eh)
2 Buffer Full Ratio (00h)
3 Buffer Empty Ratio (00h)
4 (MSB) Bus Inactivity Limit (00h)
5 (LSB)
6 (MSB) Disconnect Time Limit
7 (LSB)
8 (MSB) Connect Time Limit (00h)
9 (LSB)
10 (MSB) Maximum Burst Size
11 (LSB)
12 Reserved DTDC
13 Reserved
14 Reserved
15 Reserved
Buffer Full Ratio, Buffer Empty Ratio, Bus Inactivity Limit and Connect Time Limit fields are not supported by the
drive if set to non-ZERO values a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
Disconnect Time Limit: This field indicates the minimum time in 100 microsecond increments that the drive shall
wait after releasing the SCSI bus before attempting re-selection. The default value is 0.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Maximum Burst Size: This field defines the maximum amount of data that the drive shall transfer during a data
phase before disconnecting. This value is expressed in increments of 512 bytes. The default value is 1FBCh.
Note: 512×4,028(0FBCh)=2,062,336 bytes which means that the Maximum Burst Size is approximately equal to
SDX-250V Buffer size for SCSI side.
DTDC: This field defines further restrictions on when a disconnect is permitted.
DTDC Description
00b
01b
10b
11b
Data transfer disconnect control is not used. Disconnect is controlled by the other field in this page.
A target shall not attempt to disconnect once the data transfer of a command has started until all
data the command is to transfer has been transferred. The connect time limit and bus inactivity limit
are ignored during the data transfer.
Reserved
A target shall not attempt to disconnect once the data transfer of a command has started until the
command is complete. The connect time limit and bus inactivity limit are ignored once data transfer
has started.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-29
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
6.7.2. Data Compression Control Page (0Fh)
The drive supports the Data Compression Control Page which has the following format:
Table 6-36: Data Compression Control Page
Bit
Byte
0 PS (0) Reserved Page Code (0Fh)
1 Page Length (0Eh)
2 DCE DCC Reserved
3 DDE RED Reserved
4 (MSB) Compression Algorithm
7 (LSB)
8 (MSB) Decompression Algorithm
11 (LSB)
12 Reserved
13 Reserved
14 Reserved
15 Reserved
Note: If the drive does not support compression the drive will return Check Condition status, and the sense key will
be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST.
This page specifies the parameters for the control of the data compression capability of the drive.
DCE: A Data Compression Enable (DCE) bit of one indicates that data compression is enabled. When this bit is set,
data sent to the device by the initiator shall be processed using the selected compression algorithm before being
written to the medium. A DCE bit of ZERO indicates that data compression is disabled.
DCC: A Data Compression Capable (DCC) bit of one indicates that the drive supports data compression and shall
process data sent to it for transferal to the medium using the selected compression algorithm when the DCE bit is
one. A DCC bit of ZERO indicates that the device does not support data compression. This shall be a
non-changeable field. The SDX-250V has the capability to decompress data and will set this bit to a one.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
DDE: A Data Decompression Enable (DDE) bit of one indicates that data decompression is enabled. The SDX-250V
will always decompress the data. Setting this bit to ZERO has no effect.
RED: The Report Exception on Decompression (RED) field indicates the device’s response to a boundary condition
caused by a change in the format of recorded data from:
uncompressed to compressed or compressed to uncompressed
This field only has an effect during reading not during writing. This field is not supported and should be always set to
00b.
6-30 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
RED Value Description
00b The SDX-250V will return a CHECK CONDITION status (MEDIUM ERROR) whenever data is
encountered on the media that the drive cannot decompress.
The SDX-250V will not return a CHECK CONDITION status at a boundary condition as long as the
data is uncompressed or ALDC1 compressed.
01b A RED field of 01b is undefined.
10b The drive shall return a CHECK CONDITION status whenever a boundary condition is encountered
on the medium. The boundary conditions are from:
uncompressed to compressed
or
compressed to uncompressed
CHECK CONDITION will be reported on the boundary condition even if the drive supports hardware
decompression.
For any of the boundary conditions which result in a CHECK CONDITION status, the additional
sense code shall be set to either DECOMPRESSION EXCEPTION, ALGORITHM ID OF NN. The
drive will set the decompression algorithm field to the algorithm identifier of the compression
algorithm used to process the encountered data. The device shall be positioned on the EOP side of
the encountered data, and the command-specific information field in the sense data shall contain a
count of the number of data blocks contained within the encountered data.
Note: When compressed data is encountered on the medium which the device cannot decompress,
the device should treat the data as a single variable-length record. In the sense data, the valid bit,
the ILI bit and the information field should be set accordingly.
11b A RED field of 11b is undefined.
Compression Algorithm: The compression algorithm field indicates the compression algorithm the drive will use to
process data sent to it by the initiator (if the DCE bit is one).
The SDX-250V supports the ALDC1 data compression algorithm which is identified by the value: 00 00 00 03h in the
compression algorithm field. A value of ZERO shall indicate that no compression algorithm is currently selected. Any
other values in this field will cause the drive to return a CHECK CONDITION status the sense key shall be set to
ILLEGAL REQUEST.
Decompression Algorithm: For MODE SELECT the decompression algorithm field indicates the decompression
algorithm selected by the initiator for use in subsequent decompression of data encountered on the medium.
The SDX-250V can decompress data recorded with the ALDC1 algorithm therefore this field can be set to 00 00 00
03h. However, the SDX-250V is capable of automatic recognition of the compression algorithm used to process the
data encountered on the medium. Therefore, the drive will override the value in the decompression field (if is set to
ZERO) for a subsequent read operation when ALDC1 compressed data is detected on the media.
A CHECK CONDITION will occur on the transition from uncompressed to compressed if RED = 10b.
For the MODE SENSE command, the decompression algorithm field reflects either the algorithm selected by the
initiator or compression algorithm which was used to process the data most recently encountered on the medium,
during a read operation.
A value of ZERO shall indicate that the data encountered on the medium during the most recent read operation was
uncompressed.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-31
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
6.7.3. Device Configuration Page (10h)
The drive supports the Device Configuration Page which has the following format:
Table 6-37: Device Configuration Page
Bit
Byte
0 PS (0) Reserved Page Code (10h)
1 Page Length (0Eh)
2 Reserved CAP CAF Active Format
3 Active Partition
4 Write Buffer Full Ratio (00h)
5 Read Buffer Empty Ratio (00h)
6 (MSB) Write Delay Time
7 (LSB)
8 DBR (0) BIS (1) RSmk AVC(0) SOCF (00b) RBO (0) REW
9 Gap Size (00h)
10 EOD Defined (000b) EEG (1) SEW Reserved
11 (MSB) Buffer Size at Early Warning (00 00 00h)
12
13 (LSB)
14 Select Data Compression Algorithm
15 Reserved
CAP: The Change Active Partition bit, when set to one, indicates that the partition is changed to the one specified by
the Active Partition Field. This is a feature supported by the drive and is discussed below.
CAF: The Change Active Format bit, set to one, indicates that the active format is to be changed to that set in the
Active Format Field.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Active Format: This field is used to enable AIT format options and is described below:
Table 6-38: Active Format
4 3 2 1 0
Disable RAW 3rd ECC Reserved (0)
Disable RAW: This bit is used to enable or disable the use of Read-After-Write error detection. If this bit is NOT set,
RAW is enabled. This is the drive’s default configuration.
3rd ECC: This bit is used to enable or disable the use of Third Level Error Correction. If this bit is set, 3rd ECC is
enabled. This is the drive’s default configuration.
Active Partition: Indicates the current partition number in use on the medium.
Setting this field to a non-existing partition number will be rejected by the drive with a CHECK CONDITION status
and the ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
Write Buffer Full Ratio and Read Buffer Empty Ratio: These fields are not supported by the drive. Setting these
fields to anything other than ZERO will cause the drive to return a CHECK CONDITION status and an ILLEGAL
REQUEST sense key.
The drive implements an algorithm which automatically adjusts these ratios so as to maximize streaming to the Host.
Write Delay Time: This field indicates the maximum time, in 100 millisecond increments, that the drive shall wait
with a partially full buffer before forcing the data to tape. The drive defaults to a 10 second delay since the last SCSI
bus activity before the data is flushed from the buffer to the tape. If Write Delay Time is set to ZERO the drive will wait
indefinitely for the data group to be filled.
6-32 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
DBR: This field is not supported and should be always set to ZERO.
BIS: Block Identifiers Supported is set to one to indicate that the media has recorded information about the logical
block ID relative to the partition.
The DBR and BIS bit are only valid on a MODE SENSE command where they are used to report drive capabilities.
These bits are ignored by the drive on a MODE SELECT command. The drive will not return a CHECK CONDITION.
RSmk: The Report Set Mark bit, when set to one, indicates that Set Marks will be reported to the drive. When ZERO,
Set Marks are NOT reported. The default is one, Set Marks reported.
AVC: Automatic Velocity Control function is not supported by the drive and if this bit is set a CHECK CONDITION
status is returned with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key.
SOCF: Stop on Consecutive File-marks function is not supported by the drive and if this bit is set a CHECK
CONDITION status is returned with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key.
RBO: This field is not supported. If this bit is set a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with an ILLEGAL
REQUEST sense key.
REW: The Report Early-Warning End-of –Media bit is set to ZERO indicates the drive will not report the
early-warning condition on reads but will report early-warning on writes before the physical End-Of –Partition. The
REW bit is changeable. A value of ONE indicates that the drive will report the early-warning condition on writes and
reads.
Gap Size: This field is not used by the SDX-250V and shall be set to ZERO otherwise a CHECK CONDITION with
an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key will be returned.
EOD Defined: This field shall always be set to ZERO so that the drive will use its default EOD definition to detect and
generate EOD. Any other value will cause the drive to return a CHECK CONDITION status with an ILLEGAL
REQUEST sense key set.
EEG: The Enable EOD Generation bit shall always be set to indicate that drive will generate an EOD. The drive
generates an EOD mark prior to any change of direction, if that change follows a write-type operation. This bit is only
valid on the MODE SENSE command where it is used to report drive capabilities. This bit is ignored by the drive on
a MODE SELECT command. The drive will not return a CHECK CONDITION.
SEW: The Synchronize at Early-Warning bit is set to ONE indicates buffered write data, File-marks and Set-marks at
or after Early-Warning End-of-Media will be written to the Medium. The SEW bit changeable. A value of ZERO
indicates that the target will retain any unwritten buffered data, File-marks, or Set-marks in the buffer when logical
Early-Warning is encountered. The default is 1.
Buffer Size at Early Warning: This field is not supported by the drive and if set a CHECK CONDITION status is
returned with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
Select Data Compression Algorithm: The SDX-250V supports the Data Compression Page and that page should
be used instead of this field to control Data Compression. This field is not supported by the drive and if set a CHECK
CONDITION status is returned with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-33
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
6.7.4. Medium Partitions Parameter Page (11h)
The drive supports the Medium Partitions Parameter Page, which has the following format:
Table 6-39: Medium Partitions Parameter Page
Bit
Byte
0 PS (0) Reserved Page Code (11h)
1 Page Length (0Ah)
2 Maximum Additional Partitions (01h)
3 Additional Partitions Defined (00h or 01h)
4 FDP (0) SDP (0) IDP PSUM (10b) Reserved
5 Medium Format Recognition (03h)
6 Reserved
7 Reserved
8 (MSB) Partition Size (Partition 0)
9 (LSB)
10 (MSB) Partition Size (Partition 1)
11 (LSB)
Warning: This page is used to format a tape to one or two partitions. Extreme care must be used with this parameter
page to avoid accidental reformatting of a tape. Reformatting will destroy all previous data.
Maximum Additional Partitions: This field is only valid on MODE SENSE where it is used to report the maximum
number of additional partitions that are supported by the drive. This field is non-changeable, however it accepts all
values as a don’t care. This number is the maximum number of additional partitions supported.
Additional Partitions Defined: This field specifies the number of additional partitions to be defined for the tape
based on the IDP bit. The maximum allowed is the value returned in the Maximum Additional Partitions field.
FDP: The Fixed Data Partitions bit is not supported by the drive and if set, a CHECK CONDITION status is returned
with an ILLEGAL REQUEST Sense Key set.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
SDP: The Select Data Partitions bit is not supported by the drive and if set, a CHECK CONDITION status is returned
with an ILLEGAL REQUEST Sense Key set.
IDP: The Initiator Defined Partitions bit is supported and, when set to one, indicates that the tape shall be partitioned
based on the Additional Partitions Defined field, PSUM and Partition Size field.
The SDX-250V allows the tape to be split into two entirely separate and independent partitions like DDS format.
Each partition will have its own Reference, System and Vendor Group area. The maximum size of a partition will be
the whole tape. The partitions may exist together or the entire tape may be treated as a single partition. This is
illustrated below:
6-34 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
BOM
Device
Area
BOM
Device
Area
BOT
System
Area
BOT
System
Area
Single Partition Tape
Partition 0
User Data Area
Two Partition Tape
Partition 1
User Data Area End of
End of
Data
User Data AreaSystem
Area
EOT
End of
Data
Partition 0
EOP/EOM
EOT
EOP/EOM
Data
EOT
BOM = Beginning-of-Media (Physical)
BOT = Beginning-of-Tape (Logical)
EOM = End-of-Media (Physical)
EOP = End-of-Partition (Logical)
EOT = End-of-Tape (Logical)
Figure 6-1: Tape Partition Layout
The Host may, therefore, partition a tape into one partition which spans the whole physical length of the tape or into
two partitions, each of which will behave as completely separate and independent tapes.
A tape does not require partitioning prior to use. If a Host only wishes to use a single partition tape, then there is no
need to send this page. On the first WRITE to a blank tape, the device will create the System, Reference and Vendor
areas on tape before proceeding with the write. To reformat from a two to a single, or from a single to a two partition
tape, the Host is required to use the Medium Partitions Parameter page.
PSUM: The Partition Size Unit of Measured field defines the units in which the Partition Size value selects the
partition size, which in the case of this drive is Megabytes. Therefore, the drive returns 10b for a MODE SENSE and
will only accept this value for a MODE SELECT, otherwise a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with an
ILLEGAL REQUEST Sense Key set.
Medium Format Recognition: This field is only valid on a MODE SENSE and is set to 03h to indicate that the drive
is capable of format and partition recognition. This is non-changeable field. It accepts all the value, however always
returns 1.
Partition Sizes: This field allows the initiator to allocate the capacity of each partition. It will also allow the initiator to
reallocate the capacity of previously partitioned tapes.
The Partition Size specifies the capacity of all partitions in Megabytes. The drive rounds the Partition Size to the next
whole group value and then applies an algorithm which allows for the writing of ECC-3 frames and for RAW error
recovery so as to reserve sufficient physical space on the media for the specified capacity. The minimum space
allocated shall be 3050 frames.
If the Additional Partitions Defined and Partition Size fields are set to ZERO the drive will initialize the tape as
partition 0, and create a single partitioned tape.
The size of partition 0 is only valid during Mode Sense and is ignored during Mode Select. For Mode Select only
partition 1 size is used when Additional Partitions Defined field is set to 01h. Partition 0 size is ignored. Internally, the
drive computes partition 0 size to be the remaining capacity of the tape. This remaining capacity is the maximum
uncompressed capacity minus partition 1 size.
A second way to issue Mode Select Page 11h is to set Page Length to 08h, and set bytes 8 and 9 to partition 1 size.
In this method partition 0 size is not sent, but this size is still computed as defined above. In either case, Mode Sense
will report partition 0 and partition 1 sizes.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-35
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
6.7.5. Medium Partitions Parameter Page (for multi-partitioned tapes) (11h)
The Medium Partitions Parameter Page supported by the drive has the following format:
Table 6-40: Medium Partitions Parameter Page(for multi-partitioned tapes)
Bit
Byte
0 PS (0) Reserved Page Code (11h)
1 Page Length (08h - 88h)
2 Maximum Additional Partitions
3 Additional Partitions Defined
4 FDP (0) SDP (0) IDP (1) PSUM (10b) Reserved
5 Medium Format Recognition (03h)
6 Reserved
7 Reserved
8 (MSB) Partition Size (Partition 0)
9 (LSB)
10 (MSB) Partition Size (Partition 1)
11 (LSB)
:
:
:
134 (MSB) Partition Size (Physical & Logical Partition 63)
135 (LSB)
Warning: This page is used to format a tape to with one or two partitions. Extreme care must be used with this
parameter page to avoid accidental reformatting of the tape. Reformatting will destroy all existing data.
Maximum Additional Partitions: This field is only valid for MODE SENSE, and it is used to report the maximum
number of additional partitions. This field is non-changeable; however it accepts all values as a don’t care. The field
value represents the maximum number of additional partitions supported, and it is limited by the free memory
available in MIC, as well as the AIT Format limit of 256 partitions. SDX-250V calculates how many partitions can be
created for the current SDX1-25C media; for example, you can make up to 14 partitions with net total 13 bytes of the
User Volume Note and User Partition Notes when using 2Kbytes version of SDX1-25C.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Additional Partitions Defined: This field specifies the number of additional partitions to be defined for the tape
based on the IDP bit. The maximum allowed is the value returned in the Maximum Additional Partitions field. The
drive the CHECK CONDITION status (ASC/ ASCQ = 83h/ 80h), when there is not enough room in the MIC.
FDP: The Fixed Data Partitions bit is not supported by the drive and if set, a CHECK CONDITION status is returned
with an ILLEGAL REQUEST Sense Key set.
SDP: The Select Data Partitions bit is not supported by the drive and if set, a CHECK CONDITION status is returned
with an ILLEGAL REQUEST Sense Key set.
IDP: The Initiator Defined Partitions bit is supported and, when set to one, indicates that the tape shall be partitioned
based on the Additional Partitions Defined field, PSUM and Partition Size field.
The SDX-250V operating in the AIT Format Mode allows tapes to be split into separate and independent partitions,
each with its own Reference, System and Vendor Group areas. The maximum size of a partition may be the entire
tape. A tape partitioned into several partitions may be considered a collection of several separate logical tapes. This
is illustrated below:
6-36 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
EOP/
EOM
EOT
BOM BOT
Device
rea
System
rea
Partition 0
User
Data
rea
Single Partit ioned Tape
EOD
BOM BOT
Device
rea
BOM BOT
Device
rea
System
rea
System
rea
Partition 0
User
Data
rea
Partition 0
User
Data
rea
Two Partit ioned Tape
EOD DEV
Three Partitioned Tape
EOD
DEV
Partition 1
User
System
rea
System
rea
Data
rea
Partition 1
User
Data
rea
EOD
EOD DEV
System
rea
Partition 2
User
Data
BOM = Beginning-of-Media (Physical)
BOT = Beginning-of-Tape (Logical)
EOM = End-of-Media (Physical)
EOP = End-of-Partition (Logical)
EOT = End-of-Tape (Logical)
rea
EOD
EOP/
EOM
EOT
EOP/
EOM
EOT
Figure 6-2: Tape Partition Layout
A tape does not require partitioning prior to use. On the first WRITE to a blank tape, the device creates the System,
Reference and Vendor areas before proceeding with the write. In order to reformat media from a two to a single, or
from a single to a two partition tape, the Host is required to use the Medium Partitions Parameter page.
PSUM: Partition Size Unit of Measured field defines the units in which the Partition Size value selects the partition
size, which in the case of this drive is Megabytes. Therefore, the drive returns 10b for a MODE SENSE and will only
accept this value for a MODE SELECT, otherwise a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with an ILLEGAL
REQUEST Sense Key set.
Medium Format Recognition: This field is only valid in response to the MODE SENSE command and is set to 03h
in order to indicate that the drive is capable of format and partition recognition. This is non-changeable field. It
accepts any values, and always returns 1.
Partition Sizes: This field allows the initiator to allocate the capacity for each partition. It will also allow the initiator to
reallocate the capacity of previously partitioned tapes.
The Partition Size specifies the capacity of all partitions in Megabytes (in the case of SDX-250V-see PSUM field
definition). The drive rounds the Partition Size to the next whole group value and then applies an algorithm which
allows for the writing of ECC-3 frames and for RAW error recovery so as to reserve sufficient physical space on the
media for the specified capacity. The minimum space allocated shall be 3050 frames.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-37
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
If the Additional Partitions Defined and Partition Size fields are set to ZERO the drive will initialize the tape as
Partition 0, spanning the whole length of the tape.
The size of Partition 0 is only valid during MODE SENSE and is ignored during MODE SELECT. And remaining
Capacity belongs to Partition 0.
Note 1: SDX-250V accepts any number including 0FFh for the Parameter List Length in CDB, although the drive
returns valid information only. For example, in case of a single partition, SDX-250V returns 16h bytes of
parameter list (sufficient for one partition size descriptor), even if the host sets 0FFh for the Parameter List
Length in CDB.
Note 2: The Partition Size represents a changeable value, because tapes can be re-initialized. The drive would
return N-1 pieces of partition size descriptors that contents is all 0FFh when N partitions on tape.
Note 3: Last partitions are open-ended partitions, because they are extendible up to the EOT. Consequently, the
size of the last partition can be calculated from the number of remaining frames, excluding the Option
Device Area.
Note 4: The Volume Information Data is stored both into MIC and on tape, after completing a Mode Select Page
11h command. This is so, because the SysLogAlive bits must be valid on the tape, in order to indicate
where the System Log information is.
Note 5: SDX-250V create ODA (Optional Device Area) at all partitions except for the last partition.
Note 6: If ODA is active we can format this tape.
6.7.6. Informational Exceptions Control Page (1Ch)
The Informational Exceptions control page defines the methods used by the target to control the reporting and the
operations of specific informational exception conditions.
Table 6-41: Informational Exceptions Control Page
Bit
Byte
0 PS (0) Reserved Page Code (1Ch)
1 Page Length (0Ah)
2 Perf (0) Reserved (0) Dexcpt Test Reserved LogErr
3 Reserved MRIE
4 (MSB)
7
8 (MSB)
11
LogErr: Log Error bit ( LogErr) of ZERO indicates that the logging of informational exception conditions by a drive is
vendor–specific. This bit of one indicates the drive shall log informational exception conditions.
DE xcpt: The Disable Exception Control (DE xcpt ) bit of ZERO indicates information operations shall be enabled.
The reporting of information exception conditions when the Dexcpt bit is set to ZERO is determined from the method
of reporting informational exception field. The Dexcpt bit of ONE indicates the drive shall be disable all information
exception operations. The method of reporting informational exceptions field is ignored when Dexcpt is set to ONE.
Test: The Test bit of ONE ZERO indicates the drive shall not generate any test/false informational exception
condition. This bit of ONE indicates the drive shall generate test/false informational exception conditions. The default
value of Test is ZERO.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Interval Timer
(00 00 00 00h)
Report Count/Test Flag Number
(LSB)
(LSB)
Perf: The Performance bit (Per) of ZERO indicates that informational exception operations that are the cause of
delays are acceptable. The Perf bit of ONE indicates the drive shall be set to ZERO otherwise a CHECK
CONDITION with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
MRIE: The Method of Reporting Informational Exceptions field (MRIE) indicates the method used by the drive to
report informational exception conditions. If the informational exception condition was generated by an event that
caused a real CHECK CONDITION to occur, then this real CHECK CONDITION will over-ride the CHECK
CONDITION defined in MRIE modes. The drive supports value 0, 3 and 4.
6-38 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SELSECT 6.Command Specification
When MRIE is set to 0, this method instructs the drive to not report informational exception conditions. When MRIE
is set to 4 (Unconditionally generate RECOVERED ERROR), this method instructs the drive to report informational
exception conditions by returning a CHECK CONDITION status on the next SCSI command (excluding Inquiry and
Request Sense) after an informational exception condition was detected. The sense key shall be set to
RECOVERED ERROR and the additional sense code shall indicate the cause of the information exception
condition(which is 5D/00h). The command that has the CHECK CONDITION shall complete without error before any
exception condition may be reported (and thus does not need to be reported).
Interval Timer: This field is not supported by the drive and if set a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with an
ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
Report Count/Test Flag Number: This field has a dual purpose. When Test bit is set to ZERO, the value of this field
in the MODE SELECT data represents the Report Count. The Report Count field is not supported by the drive and if
set a CHECK CONDITION status is returned with an ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set. When a MODE SELECT
command is sent with the Test bit it set to ONE, the value of this field in the MODE SELECT data represents the Test
Flag Number, which is never returned in response to a MODE SENSE command. Valid values of Test Number are
–64 to 64 and 32767(7FFFh). Negative numbers are represented using the 2’s complement method. If the Test Flag
Number is set to an invalid value, the MODE SELECT command will return CHECK CONDITION, with sense key set
to ILLEGAL REQUEST and extended sense set to Invalid Field in Parameter list.
6.7.7. AIT Device Configuration Page (31h)
Note 1: The values set by Mode Select Page 31h become valid after the Mode Select Page 11h command is
completed.
Note 2: The values reported by Mode Sense Page 31h always indicate a status of the cassette. It is not a mode
condition of the drive
Note 3: For initializing AIT native mode cassette, Mode Select Page 31h must be issued before Mode Select Page
11h.
Table 6-42: AIT Device Configuration Page
Bit
Byte
0 Reserved Page Code (31h)
1 Page Length (8)
2 AIT DEVICE ABS ULPBOT PRTH PONEJ SysLogAlive
3 SPAN (0Ah)
4 MIC Reserved
5 Reserved
6 Reserved
7 Reserved
8 Reserved
9 Reserved
AIT
The AIT-bit is a changeable bit. The status of the AIT-bit is valid after a cassette is initialized. Until then the AIT-bit
indicates ZERO, even if the bit is set with the Mode Select command.
0-DDS emulation mode (default)
1-AIT native mode
Device
0-Do not create optional device area. (DDS mode only)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
1-Create optional device area. (AIT mode only)
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-39
6.Command Specification MODE SELECT
ABS
0-Do not create the Absolute Volume Map information. (Not Supported)
1-Create and maintain the Absolute Volume Map information.
ULPBOT
0-Load/unload is performed at the Optional Device Area, except for partition 0.
1-Load/ unload must be performed at the device area located at PBOT, even if there is an Optional Device Area. (default)
PRTH
0-Allow Thread; Thread the tape after cartridge insertion, and return ready status. (default)
1-Prevent Thread; Do not thread the tape after cartridge insertion, and return ready status immediately after the
cartridge is loaded. The tape will automatically be threaded when a media access SCSI command (Erase, Locate,
Mode Select Page 11h, Read, Read Position, Seek Block, Space, Write, and Write File-mark) is received from the
host. (Not Supported)
PONEJ
This bit is recorded in drive’s EEPROM, and it effects the drive itself. (Not Supported)
0-Power On immediate Eject disable. If this bit set to 0, then the cassette will stay in the drive when power is applied.
(default)
1-Power On immediate Eject enable. If this bit set to 1, then cassette will be immediately ejected when power is
applied to the drive.
Span
The Span field is in binary notation. This field is unchangeable. When MIC cartridge is inserted, this field is set to 0Ah
(00001010B), other values are prohibited.
SysLogAlive
0 0-System logs located only on tape. (default for SDX-T3N)
1 1-System logs located only in MIC. (default for MIC cartridge)
The SysLogAlive-bits shall be set to 00B for non-MIC cartridges, and to 11B for MIC cartridges. Other bit
combinations are prohibited.
MIC
This bit is effective for Mode Sense only. If this bit is 0 then MIC has not been detected in the cassette.
Bit Combination Table
AIT DEV ULPBOT Description
0 0 0 Illegal
0 0 1 DDS Mode, Unload at PBOT
0 1 0 Illegal
0 1 1 Illegal
1 0 0 Illegal
1 0 1 Illegal
1 1 0 AIT Mode, Unload at ODA
1 1 1 AIT Mode, Unload at PBOT
6-40 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SENSE 6.Command Specification
6.8. MODE SENSE 1Ah
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (1Ah)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved DBD Reserved
2 PCF Page Code
3 Reserved
4 Allocation Length
5 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
MODE SENSE provides a means for the drive to report its media, current and changeable configuration parameters
to the host. It is a complementary command to MODE SELECT.
DBD: A Disable Block Descriptors (DBD) bit of ZERO indicates that the target may return ZERO or more block
descriptors in the returned MODE SENSE data at the target's discretion. A DBD bit of one specifies that the target
shall not return any block descriptors in the returned MODE SENSE data.
PCF: The Page Control Field indicates the type of page parameter values to be returned to the Host as shown
below.
Bit 7 Bit 6 Parameter Values Description
0 0 Current Values This is the normal default situation where the drive returns to the
0 1 Changeable Values These are any values which a host may alter in a subsequent MODE
1 0 Default Values These are the default values on power-up
1 1 Saved Values Not supported by the drive
The addition page length field of each page returned by the drive indicates the number of bytes supported for that
page. Fields not supported by the drive are set to ZERO.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Table 6-45: Page Control field values
host its current configuration. Page fields not supported are set to
ZERO by the drive.
SELECT command. Any field that the drive allows to be changed is
set to one. Otherwise the field is set to ZERO.
Page Code: This allows the Host to select any specific or all pages supported by the drive. The page codes that are
supported are:
Table 6-46: Supported MODE SENSE Page Codes
Page Code Description Parameter List Length
00h Standard Sense 0Ch
02h Disconnect-Reconnect 0Ch+10h=1Ch
0Fh Data Compression Control 0Ch+10h=1Ch
10h Device Configuration 0Ch+10h=1Ch
11h Medium Partitions Parameter 0Ch+0Ch=18h (when AIT bit is ZERO)
1Ch Informational Exception Control 0Ch+0Ch=18h
31h AIT Device Configuration 0Ch+0Ah=16h
3Fh Return All Pages 0Ch+10h+10h+10h+0Ch+0Ch+0Ah=5Eh
n: Partition Number
If the Host selects any other values, the drive will terminate the command with a CHECK CONDITION status and an
ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-41
6.Command Specification MODE SENSE
Note: If the Page Code is ZERO, the drive will only return the four-byte header and the one eight-byte block
descriptor and terminate the command with GOOD status.
Allocation Length: The Allocation Length specifies the number of bytes that the HOST has allocated for returned
MODE SENSE data. An Allocation Length of ZERO means that the drive will return no MODE SENSE data. This is
not considered an error and GOOD status will be returned. Any other value indicates the maximum number of bytes
that can be transferred. The drive terminates the DATA IN phase when the Allocation Length bytes have been
transferred or when all available MODE SENSE data has been transferred to the initiator, whichever is less. The
Allocation Length must fall on header or block descriptor boundaries. If the Allocation Length does not fall on these
boundaries then the drive returns CHECK CONDITION status with the ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key set, unless
the value is greater than that required for the specified page.
If the Page Code is ZERO, the Host requires MODE SENSE to only return the four-byte header the one eight-byte
block descriptor, therefore the Allocation Length must be set to 0Ch. The value of the Page Control Field is then not
checked by the drive and may be set to any value.
If the Allocation Length is non ZERO, it must be set to 4 or more. If the Allocation length is non ZERO and less than
4, the drive will return CHECK CONDITION status, and ILLEGAL REQUEST sense key.
If the drive does not support Data Compression and a Mode Sense Page is received the drive will return CHECK
CONDITION status, and sense key will set to ILLEGAL REQUEST.
The MODE SENSE data contains a four-byte header, followed by one eight-byte block descriptor, followed by ZERO
or more variable length pages, depending on the Page Code and the Allocation Length.
Table 6-47: MODE SENSE data
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 Mode Data Length
1 Medium Type (00h)
2 WP Buffered Mode Speed (00h)
3 Block Descriptor Length (08h)
4 Density Code (38h)
5 (MSB)
6 Number of Blocks (00 00 00h)
7 (LSB)
8 Reserved
9 (MSB)
10 Block Length
11 (LSB)
Mode Data Length: The mode data length specifies the length in bytes of the following mode sense data that is
available to be transferred during the DATA IN phase. The mode data length does not include itself but does include
the total length of all requested MODE SENSE pages.
Media Type: The media value will be ZERO as only one media type is supported.
WP: A Write Protected bit of ZERO indicates that the tape is write enabled. A Write Protected bit of one indicates that
the tape is write protected.
Buffered Mode: if this bit is set to ZERO, the drive will not report a GOOD status on WRITE commands until the data
blocks are actually written on the tape. If set, the drive is in buffered mode and may report a GOOD status on WRITE
commands as soon as the data block has been transferred to the drive’s buffer. One or more blocks may be buffered
prior to writing to the tape.
Speed Field: will return ZERO as the drive only supports one speed.
Block Descriptor Length: returns a value of 8, which specifies the length in bytes of the following Block Descriptor.
The drive only returns a single Block Descriptor.
Destiny Code: The drive returns 30h in the Density Code field.
6-42 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
MODE SENSE 6.Command Specification
Number of Blocks: The Number of Blocks field is ZERO, indicating that an unspecified (or unknown) number of the
remaining logical blocks on the tape may have the media characteristics specified by the Block Descriptor.
Block Length: The Block Length field specifies the length in bytes of each logical block transferred over the SCSI
bus. A Block Length of ZERO indicates that the length is variable. Any other value indicates the number of bytes per
block that the drive must handshake over the bus. This establishes Block Length such that the Transfer Length for
read, write and verify type commands will be a block count not a byte count. Minimum Block Length is 2. If Block
Length is 1, Check Condition Status will be return ,Sense Key will be ILLEGAL REQUEST.
Note: It is value of this field together with the Fixed Bit Field in the READ, or WRITE commands that determines
whether the drive is in Fixed or Variable block mode.
Page Descriptor: The supported pages are fully documented in the MODE SELECT clause of this Chapter.
PS: When the Page Savable bit is set, this indicates that the page contains saved parameters. This bit will never be
set as there is no non-volatile RAM on the drive into which parameter data may be saved.
All fields not supported by the drive must be set to ZEROs.
6.8.1. Mode Sense 31h (AIT Device Configuration Page)
Note 1: SDX-250V always reports the status of the cassette present in the drive, even if the mode values are
changed.
Note 2: AIT-bit and DEV-bit values are changed after completing the Mode Select Page 11h.
Note 3: SDX-250V reports the following status for a virgin cassette:
Bits SDX-T3N MIC Cartridge
AIT 0 0
DEV 0 0
ULPBOT 1 1
PRTH 0 0
PONEJ 0 0
ABS 0 1
MIC 0 1
SysLogAlive 00B 11B
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-43
6.Command Specification PERSISTENT RESERVE IN
6.9. PERSISTENT RESERVE IN 5Eh
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (5Eh)
1 Logical Unit Number Reserved SERVICE ACTION
2 Reserved
3 Reserved
4 Reserved
5 Reserved
6 Reserved
7 (MSB) Allocation Length
8 (LSB)
9 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
The PERSISTENT RESERV IN command is used to obtain about persistent reservations and reservation keys that
are active within a drive.
The actual length of the PERSISTENT RESERVE IN parameter data is available in a parameter data field.
SERVICE ACTION: The service action codes are defined:
Code Name Description
00h READ KEYS Reads all registered Reservation Keys
01h READ RESERVATION Reads the current persistent reservations
02h-1fh Reserved Reserved
READ KEYS–The READ KEYS service actiodn that the drive return a parameter list containing a header and a list of
each current registered initiator’s reservation key. If multiple initiators have registered with the same key, then that
key value shall be listed multiple times, once for each such registration.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Table 6-48: PERSISTENT RESERVATION IN Service action codes
READ RESERVATIONS–The READ RESERVATIONS service action requests that the drive return a parameter list
containing a header and the persistent reservation(s), if any, that is present in the drive. Multiple persistent
reservations may be returned only if element reservations are present.
Allocation Length: The Allocation Length field indicates how much space has been reserved for the returned
parameter list. If length is not sufficient to contain the entire parameter list, the first portion of the list shall be
returned. This shall not be considered an error. If the remainder of the list is required, the application client should
send a new PERSISTENT RESERV IN command with a Allocation Length field large enough to contain the entire
list.
The returned the parameter data provided in response to a PERSISTENT RESERVE IN command with the READ
KEYS service action has the following format:
6-44 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
PERSISTENT RESERVE IN 6.Command Specification
Table 6-49: PERSISTENT RESERVATION IN parameter data for READ KEYS
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 (MSB) GENERATION
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Additional Length
7 (LSB)
Reservation Key list
8 (MSB) First reservation key
15 (LSB)
n-7 (MSB) Last reservation key
n (LSB)
GENERATION: This field shall contain a 32-bit counter maintained by the drive that shall be incremented every time
a PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command requests a REGISTER, a CLEAR, a PREEMPT, or a PREEMPT AND
ABORT service action. The counter shall not be incremented by a PERSISTENT RESERVE IN command, by a
PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command that performs a RESERVE or RELEASE service action, or by a
PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command that is not performed due to an error or reservation conflict. The
generation value shall be set to 0 as part of the power on reset process.
Additional Length: This filed contains a counter of the number of bytes in the Reservation key list. If the allocation
length specified by the PERSISTENT RESERVE IN command is not sufficient to contain the entire parameter list,
then only the bytes from 0 to the maximum allowed allocation length shall be sent to the application client. The
incremental remaining bytes shall be truncated, although the Additional Length field shall still contain the actual
number of bytes in the reservation key list without consideration of any truncation resulting from an insufficient
allocation length. This shall not be considered an error.
Reservation Key: The reservation key list contains the 8-byte reservation keys for all initiators that have registered
through all ports with drive.
The returned the parameter data provided in response to a PERSISTENT RESERVE IN command with the READ
RESERVATION service action has the following format:
Table 6-50: PERSISTENT RESERVATION IN parameter data for READ RESERVATION
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 (MSB) GENERATION
3 (LSB)
4 (MSB) Additional Length
7 (LSB)
8 (MSB) Reservation descriptor
23 (LSB)
GENERATION: This field shall be defined for the PERSISTENT RESERVE IN READ KEYS parameter data.
Additional Length: This filed contains a counter of the number of bytes to follow in Reservation descriptor. If the
allocation length specified by the PERSISTENT RESERVE IN command is not sufficient to contain the entire
parameter list, then only the bytes from 0 to the maximum allowed allocation length shall be sent to the application
client. The incremental remaining bytes shall be truncated, although the Additional Length field shall still contain the
actual number of bytes of Reservation descriptor and shall not be affected by the truncation. This shall not be
considered an error.
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-45
6.Command Specification PERSISTENT RESERVE IN
Reservation descriptor: The format of this field is defined in table 6-51.
Table 6-51: PERSISTENT RESERVATION IN Reservation Descriptor
Bit
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Byte
0 (MSB) Reservation Key
7 (LSB)
8 (MSB) SCOPE-SPECIFIC Address
11 (0 0 0 0) (LSB)
12 Reserved
13 SCOPE TYPE
14 Obsolete
15
The Reservation descriptor for each reservation shall contain the Reservation Key under which the persistent
reservation is held. The TYPE and SCOPE of each persistent reservation as present in the PERSISTENT
RESERVE OUT command that created the persistent reservation shall be returned.
SCOPE-SPECIFIC Address: The drive does not support an Element reservation. This field shall be set to zero.
SCOPE: The value in this field indicates whether a persistent reservation applies to an entire logical unit ot an
element. The value in this filed are defined in table 6-52.
Table 6-52: PERSISTENT RESERVATION SCOPE Codes
Code Name Description
0h Logical Unit Persistent reservation applies to the full logical unit
1h Obsolete
2h Element (not supported in this drive) Persistent reservation applies to the specified element
3h-fh Reserved Reserved
Logical Unit: A SCOPE value of Logical Unit indicates that the persistent reservation applies to the entire logical
unit. The Logical Unit scope shall be implemented by all device server that implement PERSISTENT RESERVE
OUT.
Element: ASCOPE filed value of Element indicates that the persistent reservation applies to the element of the
logical unit defined by the SCOPE-SPECIFIC Address field in the PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT parameter list.
The drive do not support it.
TYPE: The value in the TYPE filed specify the characteristics of the persistent reservation being established for a ll
data blocks within the element or within the logical unit. Table 6-53 defines the characteristic of the different type
values. For each persistent reservation type, table 6-53 lists code value and describes the required device server
support. In this table, the description of required device server support is divided in two paragraphs. The first
paragraph defines the required handling for read operations. The second paragraph defines the required handling
for write operations.
6-46 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
PERSISTENT RESERVE IN 6.Command Specification
Table 6-53: PERSISTENT RESERVATION TYPE Codes
Code Name Description
0h Obsolete
1h Write
Exclusive
Reads Shared: Any application client on any initiator may execute tasks that request
transfers from the storage medium or cache of the logical unit to the initiator.
Writes Exclusive: Any task from any initiator other than the initiator holding the
persistent reservation that requests a transfer from the initiator to the storage medium
or cache of the logical unit shall result in a reservation conflict.
2h Obsolete
3h Exclusive
Access
Reads Exclusive: Any task from any initiator other than the initiator holding the
persistent reservation that requests a transfer from the storage medium or cache of
the logical unit shall result in a reservation conflict.
Write Exclusive: Any task from any initiator other than the initiator holding the
persistent reservation that requests a transfer from the initiator to the storage medium
or cache of the logical unit shall result in a reservation conflict.
4h Obsolete
5h Write
ExclusiveRegistrants
Only
Reads Shared: Any application client on any initiator may execute tasks that request
transfers from the storage medium or cache of the logical unit to the initiator.
Writes Exclusive: Any task from any initiator other than the initiator holding the
persistent reservation that requests a transfer from the initiator to the storage medium
or cache of the logical unit shall result in a reservation conflict.
6h Exclusive
AccessRegistrants
Only (not
supported in
this drive)
Reads Exclusive: A task that requests a transfer from the storage medium or cache
of the logical unit to an initiator that has not previously requested a REGISTER
service action with the drive shall result in a reservation conflict.
Write Exclusive: Any task from any initiator other than the initiator holding the
persistent reservation that requests a transfer from the initiator to the storage medium
or cache of the logical unit shall result in a reservation conflict.
7h-Fh Reserved
SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0 6-47
6.Command Specification PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT
6.10. PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT 5Fh
Bit
Byte
0 Operation Code (5Fh)
1 Reserved SERVICE ACTION
2 SCOPE TYPE
3 Reserved
4 Reserved
5 Reserved
6 Reserved
7 (MSB) Parameter List Length (18h)
8 (LSB)
9 Unused (00b) Reserved Flag Link
The PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command is used to request service actions that reserve a logical unit or
element for the exclusive or shared used if a particular initiator. The command uses other service actions to manage
and remove such reservations. The command shall be used in conjunction with the PERSISTENT RESERVE IN
command and shall not be used with the RESERVE and RELEASE commands.
Initiator performing PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT service actions are identified by a reservation key provided by
the application client. An application client may use the PERSISTENT RESERVE IN command to identify which
initiators are holding a persistent reservation and use the PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command to preempt that
reservation if required.
If a PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command is attempted, but there are insufficient drive resources to complete the
operation, the drive shall return a CHECK CONDITION status. The sense key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST
and the additional sense data shall be set to INSUFFICIENT REGISTRATION RESOURCES.
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
The PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command contains fields that specify a persistent reservation service action, the
intended scope of the persistent reservation, and the restrictions caused by the persistent reservation. The TYPE
and SCOPE fields are define in 6.9. If a SCOPE filed specifies a scope that is not implemented, the drive shall return
a CHECK CONDITION status. The sense key shall be set to ILLEGAL REQUEST and additional sense data shall be
set to INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
Fields contained in the PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT parameter list specify the information required to perform a
particular persistent reservation service action.
The parameter list shall be 24 bytes in length and the Parameter List Length field shall contain 24(18h). If the
parameter list length is not 24, the drive shall return a CHECK CONDITION status. The sense key shall be set to
ILLGAL REQUEST and the additional sense data shall be set to PARAMETER LIST LENGTH ERROR.
SERVICE ACTION: When processing the PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT service actions, the drive shall increment
the generation value as specified in 6.9.
Table 6-54: PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT SERVICE ACTION codes
Code Name Description
00h REGISTER Register a reservation key with the drive
01h RESERVE Create a persistent reservation having a specified SCOPE and TYPE. The SCOPE
and TYPE of a persistent reservation are defined in 6.9
02h RELEASE Releases the selected reservation for the requesting initiator.
03h CLEAR Clears all reservation keys and all persistent reservations.
04h PREEMPT Preempts persistent reservations from another initiator.
05h PREEMPT &
ABORT
06h-1Fh Reserved
The parameter list required to perform the PERSISTENT RESERVE OUT command has the following format:
Preempts persistent reservations from another initiator and aborts the task set for the
preempted initiator.
6-48 SONY AIT-E Turbo drive SDX-250V series Ver.1.0
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