Oracle StorageTek T9840 User Manual

StorageTek T9840 Tape Drive

User’s Reference Manual

Part Number: E27291-02
December 2012

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StorageTek T9840 Tape Drive User’s Reference Manual

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2 T9840 URM December 2012

Table of Contents

List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... 7

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ 9

Preface ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Access to Oracle Support ......................................................................................................... 11

What’s New ..............................................................................................................................13

1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................15

Tape Drive............................................................................................................................... 16

Maintenance Port ...............................................................................................................16

Interfaces ............................................................................................................................17

Encryption ...............................................................................................................................17

Encryption Resources .......................................................................................................... 18

Encryption Status LED ........................................................................................................18

Configurations .........................................................................................................................20

Desktop and Rack-mountable Drive Units ...........................................................................20

Cartridge Scratch Loader Drive Units ..................................................................................20

Library Attached Configurations .........................................................................................20

Cartridges................................................................................................................................ 23

Mixed Media Management ......................................................................................................24

Media Information Region .................................................................................................. 25

Normal MIR Processing ......................................................................................................25

Cross-Density MIR Processing ............................................................................................26

Exceptional MIR Processing ................................................................................................29

Invalid MIR Correction .......................................................................................................29

2 Operator Controls .................................................................................................................31

Front Panel .............................................................................................................................. 31

Load/Unload Slot ...............................................................................................................32

Indicators ...........................................................................................................................33

Manual Unload Device .......................................................................................................33

Switches .............................................................................................................................. 34

Display ...............................................................................................................................34

Virtual Operator Panel ............................................................................................................ 36

Library Controls/Indicators..................................................................................................... 37

December 2012 3

SL8500/T9x40 Drive Tray ...................................................................................................37

StorageTek Library Console ................................................................................................38

3 Menus ........................................................................................................................................43

Menu Structure Overview ........................................................................................................43

Online Menu Operation ...........................................................................................................45

View Configuration Menu ................................................................................................... 45

Offline Menus.......................................................................................................................... 55

Configuration Changes .......................................................................................................56

Drive Operations Menu ....................................................................................................... 57

4 Operator Tasks ...................................................................................................................... 59

Basic Tasks ............................................................................................................................... 59

Power-on a Drive ................................................................................................................ 59

Power-off a Drive ................................................................................................................60

IPL the Drive ......................................................................................................................60

Cartridge Procedures ............................................................................................................... 61

Cartridge Handling Precautions ..........................................................................................61

Write-protect/Enable a Data Cartridge ...............................................................................61

Load a Data Cartridge .........................................................................................................62

Unload a Data Cartridge .....................................................................................................63

Use a Cleaning Cartridge .................................................................................................... 63

Menu System Tasks .................................................................................................................. 64

Place the Drive Online ......................................................................................................... 65

View the Drive Configuration .............................................................................................65

View the Firmware Release Level ........................................................................................66

Place the Drive Offline ........................................................................................................ 66

Reformat a Cartridge ........................................................................................................... 67

Build the MIR .....................................................................................................................68

Exit the Menu System .......................................................................................................... 69

5 Indicators and Messages ...................................................................................................71

Indicators ................................................................................................................................. 71

Messages ................................................................................................................................. 72

Potential Operator Recovery Scenarios ...............................................................................76

Translated Messages ...........................................................................................................77

A Specifications ........................................................................................................................ 79

Physical Specifications ............................................................................................................79

Tape Drive Only .................................................................................................................79

Desktop Configuration ........................................................................................................ 79

Rack-Mount Configuration .................................................................................................80

Library-attached Configuration ...........................................................................................80

Power Specifications ............................................................................................................... 81

Environmental Requirements ...................................................................................................81

Airborne Contamination ....................................................................................................81

Tape Drive and Power Supply ............................................................................................. 81

Tape Cartridge ................................................................................................................... 83

Performance Specifications ....................................................................................................... 83

4 T9840 URM December 2012

Tape Drive ..........................................................................................................................83

Tape Cartridge ................................................................................................................... 85

B Cartridge Care ........................................................................................................................87

To Handle a Tape Cartridge ................................................................................................87

To Store a Tape Cartridge ....................................................................................................87

To Identify a Damaged Cartridge ........................................................................................ 88

To Clean a Cartridge ...........................................................................................................88

To Ship a Cartridge ............................................................................................................. 88

C Controlling Contaminants ................................................................................................. 89

Environmental Contaminants ...................................................................................................89

Required Air Quality Levels .....................................................................................................89

Contaminant Properties and Sources ........................................................................................90

Operator Activity ................................................................................................................91

Hardware Movement ..........................................................................................................91

Outside Air .........................................................................................................................91

Stored Items ........................................................................................................................91

Outside Influences ..............................................................................................................91

Cleaning Activity ................................................................................................................92

Contaminant Effects .................................................................................................................92

Physical Interference ........................................................................................................... 92

Corrosive Failure ................................................................................................................ 92

Shorts ................................................................................................................................. 93

Thermal Failure ..................................................................................................................93

Room Conditions ..................................................................................................................... 93

Exposure Points .......................................................................................................................94

Filtration ..................................................................................................................................95

Positive Pressurization and Ventilation ....................................................................................96

Cleaning Procedures and Equipment .......................................................................................96

Daily Tasks .........................................................................................................................97

Weekly Tasks ......................................................................................................................97

Quarterly Tasks ..................................................................................................................98

Biennial Tasks .....................................................................................................................98

Activity and Processes .............................................................................................................99

Glossary ................................................................................................................................101

Index ............................................................................................................................................1

December 2012 5

6 T9840 URM December 2012

List of Figures

FIGURE 1-1 Example Drive Configurations ..................................................................................15

FIGURE 1-2 T9840 Tape Drive Front Panel ....................................................................................16

FIGURE 1-3 Encryption Status LED (SL8500 Library Drive Tray) ..................................................19

FIGURE 1-4 T9840 Desktop and Rack-mount Units .......................................................................21

FIGURE 1-5 CSL Desktop and Rack-mount (T9840A) ....................................................................21

FIGURE 1-6 T9840 Tape Drive Library Attached Configurations ...................................................22

FIGURE 1-7 9840 Tape Cartridge ..................................................................................................23

FIGURE 2-1 T9840 Operator Panel ................................................................................................ 32

FIGURE 2-2 Tape Bar ....................................................................................................................35

FIGURE 2-3 Virtual Operator Panel ..............................................................................................36

FIGURE 2-4 SL8500/T9840 Drive Tray Rear Panel ........................................................................37

FIGURE 2-5 SL8500 SLC Drive Folder Display .............................................................................. 38

FIGURE 2-6 SL8500 SLC Drive Status Tab ..................................................................................... 39

FIGURE 2-7 SL8500 SLC Drive Properties Tab ...............................................................................40

FIGURE 2-8 SL8500 SLC Drive Display Tab ..................................................................................41

FIGURE 3-1 Menu System Overview ............................................................................................44

FIGURE 3-2 Online Menus ............................................................................................................46

FIGURE 3-3 Offline Menus/Interface Menu Tree .......................................................................... 55

FIGURE 3-4 Drive Operations Menu Tree ..................................................................................... 57

FIGURE 4-1 T9840 Data Cartridge Write Protect Switch ................................................................ 61

December 2012 List of Figures 7

8 T9840 URM December 2012

List of Tables

TABLE 1-1 Encryption Status LED State Descriptions .................................................................. 19

TABLE 1-2 Cartridge Read/Write Compatibility.......................................................................... 24

TABLE 2-1 Operator Panel Indicators........................................................................................... 33

TABLE 2-2 Operator Panel Switches ............................................................................................ 34

TABLE 5-1 Operator Panel Indicators........................................................................................... 71

TABLE 5-2 Operator Panel Display Messages .............................................................................. 72

TABLE 5-3 Selected Check Message Meanings ............................................................................. 76

TABLE 5-4 Translated Display Messages ..................................................................................... 77

TABLE A-1 T9840 Tape Drive Physical Specifications ................................................................... 79

TABLE A-2 T9840 Tape Drive Desktop Physical Specifications ..................................................... 79

TABLE A-3 T9840 Tape Drive Weights (Library-attached)............................................................. 80

TABLE A-4 T9840 Tape Drive Power Specifications ...................................................................... 81

TABLE A-5 T9840 Drive and Power Supply Environmental Requirements .................................. 82

TABLE A-6 T9840 Tape Cartridge Environmental Requirements ................................................... 83

TABLE A-7 T9840 Tape Drive Performance Specifications ............................................................ 84

TABLE A-8 StorageTek 9840 Data Cartridge Physical and Performance Specifications .................. 85

December 2012 List of Tables 9

10 T9840 URM December 2012

This book is for users and operators of Oracle’s StorageTek T9840 tape drives. It also
provides information about the various cartridges and their labels.

The term T9840 is used in this publication to generically reflect all drive models. The
specific model suffix is used whenever model differentiation is appropriate.

Access to Oracle Support

Oracle customers have access to electronic support through My Oracle Support. For
information, visit http://www.oracle.com/support/contact.html or visit http://

www.oracle.com/accessibility/support.html if you are hearing impaired.

Preface

December 2012 Preface 11

Access to Oracle Support

12 T9840 URM December 2012

What’s New

• Modified the title page branding

• Added a note on the tape drive operating altitude specification

• Corrected a couple of typographical errors

December 2012 What’s New 13

14 T9840 URM December 2012

1

Overview

Oracle’s StorageTek T9840 tape drive family provides a range of products designed
for fast-access to data stored on a midpoint loading tape cartridge. The drive is either
rack mounted or used in various StorageTek libraries (see FIGURE 1-1). This chapter
provides an overview of the T9840 Tape Drive family.

There are four drive models for the enterprise and client-server environments. The
T9840A and T9840B drives have a 20 GB uncompressed cartridge capacity. The
T9840C drive has a cartridge capacity of 40 GB (uncompressed). The T9840D
encryption-capable tape drive has a cartridge capacity of 75 GB (uncompressed). See

“Cartridges” on page 23 for more tape cartridge information, and see TABLE 1-2
on page 24 for the cartridge read/write compatibility.

FIGURE 1-1 Example Drive Configurations

December 2012 Overview 15

Tape Drive

Tape Drive

The drive front panel (FIGURE 1-2) has a tape load/unload slot and an operator
panel for manual control. See Chapter 2, “Operator Controls” for detailed
information on operator panel controls and indicators.

The drive rear panel has connectors for power, library interface (TTI), host interface,
and maintenance (not available on the T9840A). An encryption status LED is present
between the TTI connector and maintenance port on the T9840D drive (see

“Encryption Status LED” on page 18).

FIGURE 1-2 T9840 Tape Drive Front Panel

Maintenance Port

All service calls for tape drives under warranty, maintenance contract, or time-and­materials service require physical access and connection to the rear panel
maintenance (Ethernet) port of the T9840B/C/D tape drive. In the event that a
customer has an Ethernet cable physically connected to the drive requiring service,
the service person must disconnect this cable to perform the required service action.

• T9840 non-encryption drives supported by the Service Delivery Platform (SDP)
require 100% dedication of the drive’s Ethernet port to the SDP site unit.

• T9840 encryption-enabled drives require 100% dedication of the drive's Ethernet
port to the Encryption Service Network except during service activities performed
by authorized personnel.

Where Encryption and SDP coexist, the Ethernet Port must be concurrently shared by
using the Service Network.

Note – Oracle neither supports nor assumes any responsibility for
drive functional failures that occur during the unauthorized use of
the drive’s maintenance port.

Unauthorized use applies to any use of the drive’s Ethernet port for other than the
following items:

• Encryption 1.x or 2.x environments

16 T9840 URM December 2012

Interfaces

Encryption

• StorageTek Virtual Operator Panel (VOP) customer or service versions provide
support for the T9840D tape drive

• Service Delivery Platform (SDP)

• Service’s Tape Health Check Tool

• StorageTek Diagnostic System (STDS)

Starting with drive code 1.44.x04, you can use IPv6 addressing. An IPv6 address is a
128-bit value written as eight groups of four hexadecimal characters separated by
colons (for example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

Host interfaces for the T9840 Tape Drive include:

• Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON) [single port connector]

• Fibre Channel (FC)

• Fibre Connection (FICON)

• Small computer system interface (SCSI) - T9840A/B only [single port connector]

The T9x40 tape drives support connection of both ports in accordance with ANSI
Fibre Channel specifications. Refer to the InterNational Committee on Information
Technology Standards [INCITS] documents:

• SCSI Primary Commands -3, Section 5.6

• Fibre Channel Protocol -3

Encryption

Encryption is based on the science of cryptography and is one of today’s most
effective ways to achieve data security. To read an encrypted file, you must have
access to the key that enables the drive to decipher the data.

The T9840D tape drive employs a device-based (or data-at-rest) encryption solution.
The drive is shipped from the factory encryption-capable, but not encryption­enabled. You must explicitly enable the drive for encryption.

Note – Not all interfaces are available for all configurations.

Note – The drive will support two hosts, provided that they

honor the “reserve/release” or the “persistent reserve/release”
specifications.

Note – A tape drive that has not been enabled for encryption can
neither read nor append to any encrypted data cartridge.

An encryption-enabled drive can:

• Write to the data cartridge in encrypted mode only (by using its assigned write

key).

• Read an encrypted data cartridge, if it has the proper read key.

• Read non-encrypted data cartridges.

December 2012 Overview 17

Encryption

• Format tape cartridges.

An encryption-enabled drive cannot:

• Append (write) to a non-encrypted data cartridge.

• Mix encrypted and non-encrypted data on the same cartridge.

With drive code level 1.44.xxx and Key Management System (2.1), the T9840D Fibre
Channel and FICON drives comply with FIPS Level 1 which is the lowest
classification (production-grade requirements).

Encryption Resources

For additional information on the encryption capabilities and features of the T10000
Tape Drive, see:

• OKM 2.3 or higher

• Oracle Key Manager, Administration Guide

• Oracle Key Manager, Systems Assurance Guide

• KMS 2.x

• Crypto Key Management System, Administration Guide

• Crypto Key Management System, Systems Assurance Guide

• KMS 1.x

• Crypto Key Management Station, User’s Guide

• Crypto Key Management Station, Configuration and Startup Guide

• Crypto Key Management Station and Data-at-Rest Encryption, Technical Brief

For further information on the encryption option, see your sales representative.

Encryption Status LED

Encryption-capable drives have a tricolor, encryption-status LED on the rear panel
(status indication explanations are provided in TABLE 1-1 on page 19). Drive trays
that fully enclose the drive use a light pipe to transfer the LED indication to the rear
of the tray (see the CRYPT label in FIGURE 1-3 on page 19).

If the encryption status LED is green, it indicates that the drive is encryption capable,
but not encryption enabled. In this state, the drive functions only in a non-encryption
safe mode, and cannot read/write encrypted data cartridges. However, the drive can
function normally for non-encryption tasks.

When the drive is encryption enabled, the LED turns red to indicate the drive is
armed and functioning in the encryption mode. In this state, the drive can read/write
encrypted data cartridges. The drive can also read non-encrypted data cartridges, but
cannot write to non-encrypted data cartridges.

18 T9840 URM December 2012

FIGURE 1-3 Encryption Status LED (SL8500 Library Drive Tray)

Encryption

The following table interprets the various states of the encryption status LED. Refer
to the Crypto Key Management documentation for additional information.

TABLE 1-1 Encryption Status LED State Descriptions

LED State Mode Description

Green Safe Encryption capable, but not enabled.

Normal-unencrypted drive write/read cartridge operations.

Red Armed Encryption enabled/active.

Ready to encrypt.

Slow flashing Green

1

Reset

2

Encryption previously enabled, but requires keys.
Drive is capable read-only, unencrypted cartridge
operations.

Slow flashing Red

1

Encryption read/write cartridge operation in progress.

Amber Requires media key.

Slow flashing Amber

Cycling

3

1

Requires device key.

Zeroed Media, device, and enabling keys missing.

The drive is unusable, and must be returned to
manufacturing.

1. Slow flash (1 cycle per second).

2. Drive is no longer capable of unencrypted write operation once encryption has been enabled.

3. The LED continuously cycles through all three colors at the slow flash rate.

December 2012 Overview 19

Configurations

Configurations

T9840 Tape Drives are available in desktop, rack-mountable, and library-attached
configurations.

Desktop and Rack-mountable Drive Units

Both the desktop and rack-mount configurations, shown in FIGURE 1-4, feature
manual tape cartridge loading. The desktop version (T9840A/B only) comprises a
single drive and a power supply mounted within a cabinet with rubber feet. The
rack-mount version includes a single drive or dual drives plus power supplies in a
chassis (tray).

Up to six single-drive and/or dual-drive trays may coexist in a single cabinet. The
tray fits in a standard 483-mm (19 in.) rack with a depth of at least 780 mm (30.75 in).

Cartridge Scratch Loader Drive Units

The T9840A cartridge scratch loader (CSL) configuration has manual/automatic/
system sequencing of up to six tape cartridges (see FIGURE 1-5 on page 21). The
desktop version comprises a single drive, power supply, and loader mechanism
contained in a cabinet with rubber feet. The rack-mountable version differs only in
the cover, and the addition of rail assembles for rack mounting. A rack can hold up to
six CSLs or combinations of CSLs and manual load drive units.

Library Attached Configurations

The drive is available in configurations for various libraries; several are shown in

FIGURE 1-6 on page 22.

Refer to the appropriate library documentation for additional information.

20 T9840 URM December 2012

FIGURE 1-4 T9840 Desktop and Rack-mount Units

FIGURE 1-5 CSL Desktop and Rack-mount (T9840A)

Configurations

December 2012 Overview 21

Configurations

FIGURE 1-6 T9840 Tape Drive Library Attached Configurations

22 T9840 URM December 2012

Cartridges

The StorageTek 9840 tape cartridge shown in the figure below has the supply and
takeup reels inside the cartridge which permits midpoint loading and fast access to
data files.

FIGURE 1-7 9840 Tape Cartridge

Cartridges

The 9840 data cartridge has a typical capacity of:

• 20 GB, uncompressed when written by a T9840A or T9840B drive

• 40 GB when written by a T9840C drive (PRML data format)

• 75 GB when written by a T9840D drive (PRML data format)

See TABLE 1-2 on page 24 for information regarding read and write compatibility.

The 9840 cleaning cartridge is capable of 100 cleaning operations. The media

identification labels for 9840 Tape Cartridges have unique letters:

• R - 9840 standard and VolSafe data tape cartridges

• U - cleaning cartridge used with T9840A, T9840B, and T9840C drives

• Y - cleaning cartridge used with the StorageTek T9840D tape drive only

A variation of the data cartridge is available for VolSafe (append-only) use.

• The manufacturer and media identification labels are yellow (9840A/B), green
(9840C), or purple (T9840D).

• The write-protect switch is yellow (9840A/B), green (9840C), or purple (T9840D).

• A model-unique dimple pattern exists on the bottom of the cartridge case.

To place orders electronically, send an e-mail to:

[e-mail]

December 2012 Overview 23

Mixed Media Management

TABLE 1-2 Cartridge Read/Write Compatibility

Compatibility

T9840A T9840B T9840C T9840D

Read a cartridge formatted by: T9840A and

T9840B

Write or append data to a cartridge
formatted by:

T9840A and
T9840B

Mixed Media Management

Because T9840A, T9840B, T9840C, and T9840D drives use the same 9840 standard
data cartridge, you should take extra media management measures when:

• T9840C drives coexist in the same library system with T9840A/B drives.

• T9840D drives coexist in the same library system with T9840A/B/C drives.

The extra measures essentially involve creation and management of separate media
pools/sub-pools for:

• T9840A/B formatted/written data cartridges

• T9840C formatted/written data cartridges

• T9840D formatted/written data cartridges

T9840A and
T9840B

T9840A and
T9840B

Drive Model

T9840A,
T9840B, and
T9840C

T9840C T9840D

T9840A, T9840B,
T9840C, and
T9840D

Guidelines for creation and maintenance of media pools/sub-pools are located in
ACSLS, HSC, and independent software vender (ISV) documentation sets.

T9840A/B tape drives cannot read from a data cartridge written by either T9840C or
T9840D tape drives because of the higher-density formats, and must have an
appropriate drive firmware level to even identify the higher-density data cartridges:

• T9840A:

• R1.33.103, or higher, to identify a T9840C written cartridge

• R1.41.105, or higher, to identify a T9840D written cartridge

• T9840B:

• R1.33.303, or higher, to identify a T9840C written cartridge

• R1.41.305, or higher, to identify a T9840D written cartridge

• T9840C - R1.41.505, or higher, to identify a T9840D written cartridge

Without the appropriate drive firmware level, a T9840A/B drive would consider a
higher-density formatted cartridge blank and available for scratch. T9840A/B drive
attempts to read the data from an identified higher-density data cartridge will fail.

The T9840C or T9840D tape drive can read data from a tape cartridge written by a
T9840A/B tape drive in the low-density format, but does not append data to that
cartridge. An attempt to append a low-density data cartridge on a T9840C or T9840D
drive will fail, and sense byte data indicates an error (similar to that of a file­protected data cartridge).

24 T9840 URM December 2012

Note – For additional information about mixed-media
management, see “Cross-Density MIR Processing”.

Media Information Region

The T9840 tape drives use information recorded on each tape cartridge to access and
manage that tape cartridge while it is loaded in the drive. This information is
recorded at the beginning of the tape in an area known as the Media Information
Region (MIR). The information contained in the MIR falls into two major categories:

• Statistical Counters

Statistical counters include read/write activity, error activity, cumulative mounts,
and other information that reflects tape cartridge usage.

• Data Pointers

The data pointer information is basically a directory (map) used to locate the data
on the physical tape media. Since user data is compressed and written in drive
controlled blocks on the tape, a map is needed to efficiently locate the data after it
is written. This map provides an index between user block ID's and the physical
block on the tape media. Once the data is written, the drive accesses this map to
optimize access to the user data.

Mixed Media Management

A read to a user block ID is translated to the physical location on the tape media,
and the drive determines the quickest method to read the block. If the block is
some physical distance from the current location, a calculation results in a high­speed locate to the block location and is followed by a normal speed read.

The existence of the MIR is usually transparent to the user unless the MIR has a
problem. This could occur if the MIR update fails during a dismount. The impact of
an invalid MIR occurs in several areas. Since the MIR enables high speed positioning,
an invalid MIR forces all operations to a slow speed mode. This has no impact on a
sequential read from the beginning of the tape. However, an operation that could use
high-speed locate defaults to a sequential slow speed read to the requested block,
which can result in a longer processing time.

An invalid MIR might be suspected if you observe poor performance on a specific
tape cartridge. The T9x40 drive also posts a 36B2 informational FSC whenever a tape
cartridge with an invalid MIR is loaded.

The following sections describe MIR processing and some potential implications of
MIR problems.

Normal MIR Processing

Every time a tape cartridge is loaded, the MIR is read from the tape media and saved
in the drive memory. When the MIR is loaded in drive memory, an invalid flag is
written in the tape-resident MIR. The tape-resident MIR is marked invalid because it
does not reflect results of activity in the current mount session. All subsequent MIR
accesses during the current mount session are saved in the memory-resident MIR.

December 2012 Overview 25

Mixed Media Management

When the tape cartridge is unloaded, as part of the unload routine, the memory­resident MIR information is written to the tape-resident MIR and the MIR invalid flag
is turned off. A copy of the memory-resident MIR is stored in the drive’s persistent
memory (EEPROM) and used should the MIR fail to be written because of a power
failure or firmware problem (SNO or should not occur).

Cross-Density MIR Processing

Whenever a data cartridge is loaded that was written in a data density format that is
different from the one used when the drive writes, model-specific MIR processing
occurs. The following explanations cover:

• T9840D tape drive loaded with a lower-density cartridge

• T9840C tape drive loaded with aT9840D-written data cartridge

• T9840C tape drive loaded with a T9840A/B-written data cartridge

• T9840A/B drive loaded with a high-density tape cartridge

T9840D Tape Drive Loaded With a Lower-Density Cartridge

When the T9840D drive detects that a data cartridge is loaded, the drive first looks in
the designated location for a T9840D MIR. If a T9840D MIR is not found, the drive
then checks for a T9840C MIR and if its not found, it then checks for a T9840A/B
MIR. The processing for these operations is described in the sections below. If the
MIR cannot be read, the T9840D drive attempts to recover its contents using any
portions of the MIR that can be read and the contents of the Format Identity Burst
(FIB).

Note – The FIB is written in a format that can be read by T9840C
and T9840A/B drives if they have an appropriate level of
firmware.

The T9840D drive uses a memory-resident copy of the MIR to access user data
pointers for read-only functions. Statistical counters are continuously updated in the
memory-resident MIR with any drive activity.

When the data cartridge is unloaded, the T9840D drives writes the FIB to the high­density MIR location.

Notes:

• When the T9840D drive identifies the data cartridge as a low-density data

format, that is written by a T9840C or T9840A/B, Ready L appears on its
operator panel.

• The T9840D tape drive cannot correct or cause an invalid MIR on a T9840C

written data cartridge. A T9840C MIR can only become invalid during a mount
on a T9840C drive.

• The T9840D tape drive cannot correct or cause an invalid MIR on a T9840A/B

written data cartridge. A T9840A/B MIR can only become invalid during a
mount on a T9840A/B drive.

26 T9840 URM December 2012

• If a T9840C or T9840A/B written data cartridge has an invalid MIR, its

contents cannot be read into the T9840D drive's memory and the user data
pointer information will be unavailable. This causes a performance
degradation.

T9840C tape Drive Loaded With a T9840D Data Cartridge

The T9840C drive will not be able to read the MIR written by a T9840D drive.
Because it was written by a T9840D there will be no T9840A/B MIR. The T9840C
drive will read the Format Identity Burst (FIB) written by the T9840D tape drive.

Note – The T9840C drive identifies the tape cartridge as high­density data format, and Ready H (high-density) appears in the
T9840C operator panel display.

Since the T9840D written data cannot be read by the T9840C tape drive, the only
available drive actions are: 1) unload the data cartridge or 2) reclaim the data
cartridge.

If the data cartridge is reclaimed, the T9840C drive will include the statistical
information from the T9840D FIB when it writes the T9840C MIR and FIB.

Mixed Media Management

T9840C Tape Drive Loaded With a T9840A/B Data Cartridge

When a data cartridge is loaded into a T9840C, the drive first looks for a MIR at the
high-density MIR designated location, and will not find a MIR if the data cartridge is
in low-density data format. The high-density MIR location will be blank if it is the
first time the low-density data cartridge is loaded into a T9840C drive. This causes
the drive to look at the low-density MIR designated location, where it finds a MIR
and reads it into drive memory (invalid flag is not set).

The T9840C drive uses the memory-resident MIR for user data pointers for read-only
functions. During the first mount session, the drive captures statistical counters from
the MIR into a memory area called the Format Identity Burst (FIB), and continues to
build it with drive activity.

Note – The FIB is written in a special format which can also be
read by T9840A/B drives with the appropriate drive firmware
level.

During the unload routine, the T9840C drive writes the FIB to the high-density MIR
designated tape location. The tape-resident, low density MIR remains intact and
valid.

Notes:

• The T9840C drive identifies the tape cartridge as low-density data format,

which results in the display of Ready L (low-density) on the T9840C operator
panel.

• The T9840C tape drive cannot cause nor correct an invalid MIR on a low-

density data cartridge. A low-density MIR can only become invalid during a
mount on a T9840A/B tape drive.

• If a low-density data cartridge MIR is invalid, it is not read into the T9840C

drive memory, and not available for user data pointer information. Therefore,
T9840C performance for a low-density data cartridge with an invalid MIR is
degraded.

December 2012 Overview 27

Mixed Media Management

• Since a T9840C tape drive cannot correct nor rebuild a low-density data

cartridge invalid MIR, the only options for increasing performance are:

• Migrate the data to a high-density format cartridge, using a copy utility

• Rebuild the MIR with a T9840A/B tape drive.

• Operate with degraded performance.

On subsequent mounts, the T9840C drive first sees the tape-resident FIB, identifies
the tape cartridge as low-density, and reads the low-density MIR into drive memory.
At dismount, the T9840C updates the tape-resident FIB with cumulative data,
including newer statistical data from the MIR, if the cartridge had been loaded into a
T9840A/B drive since the last mount in a T9840C drive.

T9840A/B Tape Drives

When a high-density data cartridge is loaded into a T9840A/B drive with appropriate
level firmware, the drive looks for a low-density MIR at the default location but finds
a Format Identity Burst (FIB), which identifies the cartridge as formatted in a high­density. Because the T9840A/B drive cannot read nor write higher-density data,
subsequent normal read/write attempts will fail unless the cartridge is being
reclaimed.

with a second T9840C drive.

A T9840A/B drive cannot update statistical data, such as the mount/dismount count
in the FIB. Therefore, cumulative statistical data will not include mounts into a
T9840A/B drive as long as the tape cartridge is in high-density format.

The tape cartridge could be deliberately over-written in low-density data format from
the beginning-of-tape point, or reformatted to low-density data format by the offline
Drive Operation, Make Data Tape submenu. Either case over-writes the FIB with a
low-density MIR, and erases the high-density MIR. Such a reformatted data cartridge
is no longer identifiable as a high-density data cartridge, but does include the
statistical data read from the FIB.

When a low-density data cartridge with a tape-resident FIB (created by a T9840C or
T9840D drive) is loaded into a T9840A/B drive with appropriate level firmware, the
MIR is read into drive memory and an invalid flag is written to the tape-resident
MIR. During the unload routine, the T9840A/B drive compares statistical data in the
tape-resident MIR with statistical data in the tape-resident FIB, and uses the latest
data to calculate the statistical data update into the new tape-resident MIR.

Notes:

• The T9840A/B drive shows Ready H on the operator panel when a cartridge

written by a T9840C or T9840D drive is loaded.

• If the last load was into a T9840A/B drive, the tape-resident MIR will contain

the latest statistical data; whereas, if the last load was into a T9840C or T9840D
drive, the tape-resident FIB contains the latest data.

• To recognize a high-density data cartridge written by a T9840C or T9840D

drive, and to properly handle a low-density data cartridge that has been
previously loaded into a T9840C or T9840D drive, T9840A/B drives must have
the appropriate drive firmware level, see “Mixed Media Management”

on page 24.

28 T9840 URM December 2012

• If a T9840A/B drive has down level drive firmware, a high-density data

cartridge would be considered as a blank tape cartridge. A low-density data
cartridge would lose statistical data stored in the FIB during a previous mount
into a T9840C drive.

Exceptional MIR Processing

There are instances when the MIR process departs from the normal.

• Write Protect

When the tape cartridge is write protected, neither the MIR nor FIB is rewritten
and statistical information for that mount is not captured. If the tape cartridge is
in a library that logically write protects the tape cartridge, the MIR is updated as
normal on each dismount.

• Major Error/Power Off

If a tape cartridge is mounted and the drive SNO's (should not occur error) or
loses power, the drive memory-resident MIR is not written to the tape media.
Instead after IPL (initial program load), the drive will read the existing MIR on
tape. Special data is saved in EEPROM that will allow the existing MIR to be
updated and rewritten to the media with the valid flag set. Therefore, the MIR will
contain all positioning information up to the last mount and this tape will operate
with mixed performance until EOD is found. T9840A/B/C drives must have the
appropriate drive firmware level to update the MIR after a SNO or power loss (see

“Mixed Media Management” on page 24).

Mixed Media Management

Invalid MIR Correction

Once a tape cartridge has an invalid MIR, some action is required to correct it. An
invalid MIR can be corrected in several ways using the drive model that created the
cartridge (for example: a T9840A/B formatted cartridge in a T9840A/B drive or a
T9840C formatted cartridge in a T9840C drive).

1. Reading to the end of existing data (EOD) creates a complete and valid MIR. This
is done at normal read speeds and could take up to 45 minutes, for a full 9840 tape
cartridge.

2. Appending to the tape cartridge will also create a valid MIR, although a slow
speed read must first be done to the end of existing user data.

3. The Drive Operation Menu (offline) “Rebuild MIR” utility will sequentially read
from block ID 0 to the EOD. The MIR will be complete and valid when the tape
cartridge is unloaded (see “Build the MIR” on page 68).

4. The Drive Operation Menu (offline) “Make Data Tape” utility will reformat the
tape cartridge with a valid MIR. However, all previous data will be lost (see

“Reformat a Cartridge” on page 67).

The memory-resident MIR is always rebuilt to the last block read, on-the-fly, during
normal read/write functions. When the partially rebuilt memory-resident MIR is
written to the tape during the download process, the invalid flag is reset because the
MIR is now partially valid. This can result in seemingly conflicting performance from
a single tape.

Notes:

December 2012 Overview 29

Mixed Media Management

• If a tape cartridge with a partially valid MIR is mounted for long periods of

• The longer the tape cartridge is mounted and the more activity occurs, the

time with locates to different locations, locate times will be inconsistent
depending on whether the locate is to a record already in the rebuilt MIR, or if
some low speed locate is required.

more rebuilt the memory-resident MIR becomes. Once the EOD is reached, the
MIR is complete and valid.

30 T9840 URM December 2012

2

Operator Controls

Several methods are available that enable you to determine the state of the tape drive,
perform operator tasks, or view and alter drive configuration settings.

All T9840 drives have a physical operator panel. You can use this panel to access the
drive menu system, to view drive indicators, to access front panel switches, and to
load a tape cartridge. In the rack-mounted drive, you should always have clear access
to the panel.

For a library attached drive, you must open the library door to access the drive
operator panel. Several library models provide the capability to obtain information
about the drive from the library or a software application. The library console for the
SL8500 and SL3000 libraries is introduced in this chapter.

The T9840D tape drive is supported by the Virtual Operator Panel application
(release 1.0.12 or higher). The VOP application is introduced in this chapter.

Information in chapters 3 and 4 of this document rely on use of the physical operator
panel.

Front Panel

The T9840 tape drive front panel is the operator’s interface with the drive. The panel
features: a cartridge load/unload slot, four indicator lights, four switches, a manual
unload device, and an alphanumeric display with an optional tape bar (FIGURE 2-1

on page 32).

Chapter 4, “Operator Tasks” describes how to use the switches to perform operations.
Chapter 5, “Indicators and Messages” describes how to interpret the indicators and

display messages.

December 2012 Operator Controls 31

Front Panel

FIGURE 2-1 T9840 Operator Panel

Load/Unload Slot

The load/unload slot is the opening in the front panel that accepts 9840 Tape
Cartridges that you load by hand, that a T9840A CSL loads, or that a library robotic
hand loads. After a tape cartridge is inserted, the loader mechanism raises to engage
the tape cartridge and draw it into the loaded position. After an unload command,
the loader mechanism rewinds the tape to the mid-point and ejects the cartridge into
the slot for removal.

32 T9840 URM December 2012

Indicators

TABLE 2-1 describes T9840 Tape Drive operator panel indicators.

TABLE 2-1 Operator Panel Indicators

Indicator Indication Explanation

power (green) Off: Power is not applied.

Flashing: Unit is powering up, performing IPL, or collecting dump

data.

Flashing does not stop: IPL failed.

On (steady): Power applied and IPL complete.

activity (green) Off: Tape cartridge is not loaded.

Flashing: Tape cartridge is loaded and the tape is moving.

On (steady): Tape cartridge is loaded and the tape is stopped.

clean (amber) On (steady): Drive requires cleaning because:

1. A firmware-defined length of tape has passed over the
R/W heads.

Front Panel

2. A read/write perm (permanent error) is detected, and at
least one-half the firmware-defined length of tape has
passed over the R/W heads.

See “Use a Cleaning Cartridge” on page 63 for use of

cleaning cartridges.

service (red) Off: Error(s) have not been detected.

Flashing: Error(s) detected and dump data has been saved to the

EEPROM.

The message DumpAgain? displays if the drive detects the
same Fault Symptom Code (FSC) within one minute.
Manually initiate IPL. If the IPL does not eliminate the
problem, contact authorized service personnel.

On (steady): A hardware error is detected and the drive is not

functional. If a manually initiated IPL does not eliminate
the problem, contact authorized service personnel.

Manual Unload Device

Note – Only qualified service personnel should operate the MUD.

The manual unload device (MUD) is a mechanism to manually remove a tape
cartridge from the drive when:

• The Unload switch action fails.

• Power is not available for the drive.

You use a screwdriver to engage the MUD and position the cartridge to be manually
pulled out of the load/unload slot.

December 2012 Operator Controls 33

Front Panel

Switches

TABLE 2-2 describes T9840 operator panel switch functions.

TABLE 2-2 Operator Panel Switches

Switch Description

Menu Pressing the Menu switch accesses the menu system, steps through a series of submenus,

or answers No to a displayed question. Pressing the Menu switch the first time causes
the Online/Offline selection to display.

See Chapter 3, “Menus” for information/guidance with the menu system.

Select Pressing the Select switch accesses a displayed submenu, steps through possible options

of a submenu, or answers Yes to a displayed question. When the drive is Online and in a
view only submenu, pressing Select is the same as pressing Menu.

IPL Pressing the IPL switch causes the drive to execute an initial program load (IPL)

sequence. During IPL, the drive firmware loads from non-volatile memory in an
EEPROM, to RAM. The same process occurs at power-on.

Unload Pressing the Unload switch causes the tape cartridge to rewind, unthread, and unload;

ending with the tape cartridge ejected and retrievable.

Display

If this switch is pressed during a write operation, the drive attempts to write the
remaining data before it unloads. A display of UnWr xxxx (meaning Unwritten Data,
where xxxx is a fault symptom code) means that the attempt failed and some data
remains unwritten to tape.

Note – Pressing Unload a second time causes the unwritten data to be
lost. Before you press Unload again, see UnWr xxxx on page 75.

Front panel switches are color coded by drive model:

T9840A - Yellow

T9840B - Purple

T9840C - Green

T9840D - Deep Purple

The operator panel has a 10 segment, alphanumeric display that indicates:

• Drive status

• Menu selections and configuration choices

• Error messages and fault symptom codes

• Host-generated messages

• Tape bar, if activated

The display is formed by a horizontal array of 10 segments. Each segment is formed
by an array of 35 dots—five wide and seven high (FIGURE 2-2). Each array can form
an uppercase or lowercase alpha character, a numerical digit, or a special character,

34 T9840 URM December 2012

such as an asterisk (*). When the tape bar is not activated, the lighted segments and
dots form text messages. The text messages may display steadily, flashing, or
alternating with other messages.

FIGURE 2-2 Tape Bar

Front Panel

Tape Bar

The tape bar uses the operator panel display to show the amount of tape that has
been written and read. The tape bar is a configuration option that must be activated
by authorized service personnel. Once activated, it appears on the operator panel
display when the drive is reading or writing.

When the tape bar is activated, the segments and dots simultaneously show the
percentage of the total tape length that has been written and read. Each dot
represents 2% of the tape length; each segment represents 10%.

Note – The tape bar gets its information from the media
information region (MIR) on the tape. The MIR is written to the
tape when the tape is unloaded. If the MIR is bad, the tape bar
does not display. To rewrite the MIR, see “Build the MIR”

on page 68.

Write Bar

As data is written to tape, the lighted dots forming the write bar appear at the left
side of the display and advance to the right. The write bar uses the full height of the
display. As the dots fill the display, note that only every other dot is lighted. The
point where the write bar ends is the percentage of tape written.

December 2012 Operator Controls 35

Virtual Operator Panel

Read Bar

As data is read from the tape, the read bar appears in the center of the write bar as a
single row of unlighted dots. This row is bordered above and below by single rows of
lighted dots. The read bar also begins at the left side of the display and advances to
the right. The point where the read bar ends is the percentage of tape that has been
read.

FIGURE 2-2 on page 35 is a simplified and an actual view of a tape bar that shows a

tape that is 50% written and 34% read.

Virtual Operator Panel

The Virtual Operator Panel provides a graphical user interface to the T9840D tape
drive. The interface contains several menus, a set of indicators, two small display
areas, and a text pane (see FIGURE 2-3).

The Drive Operations menu provides commands to perform actions that are similar
to the physical operator panel switches.

The Retrieve and Configure menus provide commands to allow you to access
functions that are equivalent to the online and offline drive menu system.

FIGURE 2-3 Virtual Operator Panel

See the Virtual Operator Panel documentation for a description of the application.

Note – VOP version 1.0.13 or higher in conjunction with the
appropriate drive code level supports the use of an IPv6 address.

36 T9840 URM December 2012

Library Controls/Indicators

When a T9840 Tape Drive is attached to the SL3000 or SL8500 Modular Library
System, you cannot access the drive operator panel on the front of the drive without
opening the library door. The drive tray rear panel does provide some indicators and
an Ethernet port.

SL8500/T9x40 Drive Tray

FIGURE 2-4 illustrates the power switch and indicators on the rear panel of the

SL8500/T9x40 drive tray.

• The power (PWR) switch is a momentary push-switch that manually changes the
state of the internal power supply PWA.

• The green PWR LED indicates the power state of the tray:

Not lit: Power is not on, nor is 48 Vdc input power applied to the tray.

Blinking: Power is not on, but 48 Vdc input power is applied to the tray.

Steady: Power is on, and power supply output voltages are normal.

Library Controls/Indicators

• The red FAULT LED indicates anomalies within either the internal power supply
PWA or with the drive tray fan assembly.

Notes:

• Library firmware controls the drive tray power and indicators.

• The red FAULT LED does not indicate drive-related anomalies.

• Pressing the SL8500 drive tray PWR switch while the tray is powered does not

cause an interrupt signal to the library firmware. Wait at least 10-seconds
before you press the PWR switch to manually power-on the drive. Otherwise,
the library’s drive audit will be corrupted. When the red FAULT LED comes on
(after power-off), it is safe to re-push the PWR switch to reapply power to the
drive tray.

FIGURE 2-4 SL8500/T9840 Drive Tray Rear Panel

December 2012 Operator Controls 37

Library Controls/Indicators

StorageTek Library Console

Although you cannot access the T9840 Tape Drive Operator Panel to view menu
items, you can use the StorageTek Library Console (SLC), local or remote, to display
data pertinent to the attached drives.

Note – General guidance on using the SLC application is available
within the SLC “Help” function (click the ? button).

Drive Folder Top Level Display

FIGURE 2-5 shows an overall summary of the Drive Folder. The left window pane

displays library folders in a tree format, which you can expand or collapse.

FIGURE 2-5 SL8500 SLC Drive Folder Display

The right window pane summarizes drive data in a tabular format, whether you
expand or collapse the drive folder tree view. You can customize how the data is
displayed by sorting the rows relative to a selected column, and reordering or
resizing the columns.

Notes:

• The HLI-PRC Addr column displays the host software logical address for the

drive, relative to the specific host software.

• The Access State column is online/offline relative to the library drive

controller, and not relative to the drive, menu-driven online/offline.

• The Code Ver column displays the drive’s current firmware level, including

the drive interface sub-module level. Interface level 4.06, or higher, is required
for proper SL8500 operation.

38 T9840 URM December 2012

Drive Specific Displays

When you select an individual drive in the tree pane, the right pane changes to
display drive-specific data instead of the drive folder summary data.

You can view and use the SLC drive displays to develop reports to assist with the
analysis of drive-related problems.

In SLC 4.10, the Status, Properties, and Display tabs are available.

Status

The tab shown in FIGURE 2-6 displays key drive status data: Health State, Device
State, Access State, Drive State, Drive needs cleaning, and Host activity.

Library Controls/Indicators

Note – The drive displays are evolving. New releases might
contain an additional tab or expanded information elements.
Therefore, what is presented here is for illustrative purposes only.
No attempt will be made to keep the examples current.

Note – The list of states is variable based upon the drive, library,
and SLC firmware.

FIGURE 2-6 SL8500 SLC Drive Status Tab

December 2012 Operator Controls 39

Library Controls/Indicators

Properties

The General block in the Properties tab, FIGURE 2-7, displays some of the data from
the drive folder summary plus the drive interface type (not displayed in the
summary).

The Drive Configuration block displays selected configuration items, such as World­Wide-Name (this is a dynamic value, dWWN, that is auto-set by the library relative
to the drive bay number).

FIGURE 2-7 SL8500 SLC Drive Properties Tab

40 T9840 URM December 2012

Display

The Display tab, FIGURE 2-8, contains three sections: Network Data, Drive Virtual
Op Panel, and Drive LED Status.

FIGURE 2-8 SL8500 SLC Drive Display Tab

Library Controls/Indicators

December 2012 Operator Controls 41

Library Controls/Indicators

42 T9840 URM December 2012

The menu system provides the operator and service representative a means to
determine drive configuration settings, access drive utilities, and display the drive
firmware level at the drive operator panel. The menu system consists of information
or values, submenus, and options that appear in the display section of the operator
panel (see “Display” on page 34). You navigate through the menu system by pressing

the Menu and Select switches on the operator panel (see “Switches” on page 34).

The menu system information and guidelines are provided in the following order:

1. “Menu Structure Overview”

2. “Online Menu Operation”

3. “Offline Menus”

Menu Structure Overview

3

Menus

The drive has two main menus:

• When the drive is online, you will use the main menu primarily for viewing the
drive configuration settings.

• When the drive is offline, you will use the main menu primarily for changing the
drive configuration settings or for performing drive operations.

FIGURE 3-1 on page 44 is a high-level depiction of the common elements comprising

the main menu system. The left column shows the first item in the menu while the
right column shows the last item in the menu system.

The drive is available with several data path interfaces. The main menu items do
have some variation based upon the particular interface, and those variations are
presented in later sections of this chapter.

Note – The Port Enable/Disable item does not appear as a main
menu item for all drive interfaces.

Although the illustration menu titles contain full words, the actual presentation on
the display is an abbreviation because the display is limited to ten characters. The
Configuration, TCP/IP, and Drive main menu items contain a ? as the last character
in the display. The ? signifies that a submenu is available.

Use the Menu and Select switches to navigate through the menu system.

December 2012 Menus 43

Menu Structure Overview

• Press Menu (No) to bypass and advance to the next menu.

• Press Select (Yes) to enter the submenus.

When you press the Menu switch on the operator panel, the first menu provides

selection of Online (default) or Offline menus.

• Press the Select switch to toggle between online mode and offline mode as

View/Change Configuration menus display drive configuration settings (view only)

when online, or allow drive configuration changes when offline. Press Menu to
advance the display to the next menu. Press Select to enter the submenu.

View/Change TCP Configuration menus display the drive Transmission Control
Protocol /Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration settings (view only) when online,

or allow TCP/IP configuration changes when offline. Press Menu to advance the
display to the next menu. Press Select to enter the submenu.

Drive Operations menus (offline only) provide drive utilities. Press Menu to advance
the display to the next menu. Press Select to enter the submenu.

desired, then press the Menu switch to advance to the second menu item.

Note – If you press the Menu switch again, you will bypass the
second menu item and advance to the third menu item.

The Drive Firmware menu (view only) displays the current drive firmware release
level.

The Exit Menu allows you the choice to either return to the Online/Offline selection
menu or to exit the menu system. The last character in the Exit menu is a ? that

signifies that you must make a choice. Press Select to exit the menu or press Menu to

repeat the main menu.

Note – The Virtual Operator Panel application provides the
capability to view the configuration settings of a T9840D tape
drive. You might prefer to use this method instead of the physical
drive panel. See the Virtual Operator Panel User ’s Guide for
pertinent information.

FIGURE 3-1 Menu System Overview

44 T9840 URM December 2012

Online Menu Operation

When the drive is Online, the menus shown in FIGURE 3-2 on page 46 are available.

Note – Individual submenu items in the illustration are based 1on
the T9840A/B/C drives using a code level lower than 1.42.x07.

The content of the figure was created before the T9840D tape drive was
available. The note on the TCP/IP menu does not apply to the T9840D drive
because the drive Ethernet port can be used with the Crypto Key
Management System 2.0.

Press Menu to advance to the View Configuration menu.

• View the drive configuration.

• View the TCP/IP configuration (N/A for the T9840A).

The online (view) TCP/IP menu is presented on page 54.

• View the drive firmware level.

• View the ASIC firmware level (FICON drives only).

• View the CSL firmware level.

Online Menu Operation

View Configuration Menu

The View Configuration menu is presented in more detail in the following sections:

• “Fibre Channel View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840A/B/C)” on page 47

• “Fibre Channel View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840D)” on page 48

• “SCSI View Configuration Menu Tree” on page 49

• “ESCON View Configuration Menu Tree” on page 50

• “FICON View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840B/C)” on page 51

• “FICON View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840D)” on page 53

The basic format is a text-based representation of the menu structure with indention
levels to indicate second and third levels (submenus). There is also a listing of
options and other pertinent information.

Note – Code level 1.42.x07 was used as the basis for documenting
the View Configuration menu. Specific menu item order and
options might differ if your drive is using a different code level.

December 2012 Menus 45

Online Menu Operation

FIGURE 3-2 Online Menus

46 T9840 URM December 2012

Fibre Channel View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840A/B/C)

Use the online view configuration menu tree as a brief guide.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle; then press Menu to set.]

Port X YYY {A/B and ENA/DIS}

View CFG ? (View Configuration) {Press Select to enter, press Menu to bypass.]

Cmprss xxx {Yes/Off/No} (compression mode)

Full DSE x {Y/N} (data security erase mode)

SL Prot x {Y/N} (standard label protection mode)

View PrtA? (view current port attributes)

Hard PA xx {Y/N} (Physical Address)

PA=xx,ddd {PA=hex, decimal index} (valid only when Hard PA is yes)

Soft PA xx {HI/LO} (only when Hard PA is no)

MaxSz xxxx {2112/2048/1280/1024/768} (maximum data frame size)

Online Menu Operation

A_I=xxxxxx (24-bit address ID - when port login is complete)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom or dynamic WWN is set)

View PrtB? (current port B attributes) (same sub-menus as port A)

Tape Bar x {Y/N} (tape completion indication)

English/Espanol/Francais/Italiano/Deutsch (current language)

VolSafe X {Y/N} (determines the VolSafe capability of the drive)

FullCode X {Y/N} (determines whether a full code image is in drive memory)

Emul xxxxx {STD/3590/*/*/3490E/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*} (displays the active emulation mode)

(*=special modes, used only when directed by Engineering or Tech Support)

Lib Adr xy {FF/00-13} (2-character hexidecimal library address) manufacturing setting is

FF and it must be changed to a valid drive address when installed in a 9310 library.

CSL Xxxxxx {System/Auto/Manual} (CSL power up mode)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom/dynamic WWN is set)

S/N=xxxxxx {drive serial number} (last six-characters of drive DMOD)

Exit CFG ? (exit view configuration) [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the View
CFG ? submenu.]

December 2012 Menus 47

Online Menu Operation

Fibre Channel View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840D)

Use the online view configuration menu tree as a brief guide.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle; then press Menu to set.]

View CFG ? (View Configuration) [Press Select to enter or press Menu to bypass.]

Intf XXXXX {FICON/FCP}

View PrtA? (view current port attributes)

A=xxxxxxay (24-bit address ID - when port login is complete)

B=xxxxxxay (when viewing port B)

SFP module parameters {2G MM0300m/2G SM10.0k}

Hard PA x {Y/N} (Physical Address)

PA=xx,ddd (PA=hex, decimal index) (only when Hard PA is yes)

Soft PA XX {HI/LO} (only when Hard PA is no)

MaxSz xxxx {2112/2048} (maximum data frame size)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom or dynamic WWN is set)

View PrtB? (current port B attributes) (same sub-menus as port A)

Emul xxxxx {STD/3590/*/*/3490E/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/9940A} (displays the active emulation

mode) (*=special modes, used only when directed by Engineering/Tech Support)

Cmprss Xxx {Yes/Off/No} (compression mode)

Full DSE x {Y/N} (data security erase mode)

SL Prot x {Y/N} (standard label protection mode)

English/Espanol/Francais/Italiano/Deutsch (current language)

Tape Bar x {Y/N} (tape completion indication)

VolSafe x {Y/N} (enable VolSafe - write once read many)

Full Code x {Y/N} (drive memory contains full code load)

Lib Adr xy {FF/00-13} (2-character hexidecimal library address) manufacturing setting is

FF and it must be changed to a valid drive address when installed in a 9310 library.

CSL Xxxxxx {Y/N} (CSL operating mode - System/Auto/Manual)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom/dynamic WWN is set)

S/N=xxxxxx (drive serial number) (last six-characters of drive DMOD)

Exit CFG ? (exit view configuration) [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the

View CFG ? submenu.]

48 T9840 URM December 2012

SCSI View Configuration Menu Tree

Use the online view configuration menu tree as a brief guide.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle; then press Menu to set.]

View CFG? (View Configuration) [Press Select to enter or press Menu to bypass.]

Cmprss xxx {Yes/Off/No} (compression mode)

Full DSE x {Y/N} (data security erase mode)

SL Prot x (Y/N) (standard label protection mode)

SCSI ID x {0-7 or 0-F} (bus address of the drive for narrow or wide bus)

Tar N e g X {Y/N} (determines if the transmission speed is negotiable)

SCSI Xxxxx {Ultra/Slow/Fast} (sets the drive transmission speed)

SCSI xxBit {16/8} (selects the drive bus width)

Tape Bar x {Y/N} (tape completion indication)

English/Espanol/Francais/Italiano/Deutsch (current language)

Online Menu Operation

VolSafe X {Y/N} (determines the VolSafe capability of the drive)

FullCode X {Y/N} (determines whether a full code image is in drive memory)

Emulation Mode: (displays current emulation, based on active interface)

Emul STD/* (standard/3590/*/*/*/*/*/3490E/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*)

(*=special modes, used only when directed by Engineering/Tech Support)

Lib Adr xy (2-character hexidecimal library address)

CSL Xxxxxx {System/Auto/Manual} (CSL power up mode)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom/dynamic WWN is set)

S/N=Xxxxxx {Normal/Custom} [appears only when in 3590 or 3590s emulation mode]

S/N=xxxxxx {drive serial number} (last six-characters of drive DMOD)

Exit CFG ? (exit view configuration) [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the

View CFG ? submenu.]

December 2012 Menus 49

Online Menu Operation

ESCON View Configuration Menu Tree

Use the online view configuration menu tree as a brief guide.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle; then press Menu to set.]

Port xxx {ENA/DIS} (enables or disables the ESCON port)

View CFG? (View Configuration) [Press Select to enter or press Menu to bypass.]

Cmprss Xxx {Yes/Off/No} (compression mode)

Full DSE X {Y/N} (data security erase mode)

Drv Adr xy (2-character hexidecimal logical drive address - usually 00)

SL Prot X {Y/N} (standard label protection mode)

Lmit ERP X {Y/N} (limit error recovery process to 10 minutes)

98x Yyyyyy {x/c} {Normal/Emul} (ID the drive as high-density during an MVS swap)

[x=T9840A/B only in 3590 emulation modes]

Tape Bar X {Y/N} (tape completion indication)

English/Espanol/Francais/Italiano/Deutsch (current language)

VolSafe X {Y/N} (determines the VolSafe capability of the drive)

FullCode X {Y/N} (determines whether a full code image is in drive memory)

Emul xxxxx {3490/3590/*/*/*/*} (displays the active emulation mode)

(*=special modes, used only when directed by Engineering or Tech Support)

Lib Adr xy {FF/00-13} (2-character hexidecimal library address) manufacturing setting is

FF and it must be changed to a valid drive address when installed in a 9310 library.

CSL Xxxxxx {System/Auto/Manual} (CSL power up mode)

S/N=xxxxxx {drive serial number} (last six-characters of drive DMOD)

Exit CFG ? (exit view configuration) [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the

View CFG ? submenu.]

50 T9840 URM December 2012

FICON View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840B/C)

Use the online view configuration menu tree as a brief guide.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle; then press Menu to set.]

View CFG ? (View Configuration) [Press Select to enter or press Menu to bypass.]

Intf FICON

View PrtA? (view current port attributes)

A=xxxxxxay (24-bit address identifier, connection type, and port speed - when port log in is

complete)

B=xxxxxxay (when viewing port B)

SFP module parameters {2G MM0300m/2G SM10.0k}

Hard PA x {Y/N} (Physical Address)

PA=xx,ddd (PA=hex, decimal index) (only when Hard PA is yes)

Soft PA XX {HI/LO} (only when Hard PA is no)

Rate xxxx {Auto/fixed rate - 2Gb or 1Gb} (interface speed negotiation)

Online Menu Operation

MaxSz xxxx {2112/2048} (maximum data frame size)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom or dynamic WWN is set)

View PrtB? (current port B attributes) (same sub-menus as port A)

Emul xxxxx {3490/3590/*/*/*/*} (displays current emulation mode)

(*=special modes, used only when directed by Engineering or Tech Support)

Cmprss Xxx {Yes/Off/No} (compression mode)

Full DSE x {Y/N} (data security erase mode)

Drv Adr xy (2-character hexidecimal logical drive address - usually 00)

SL Prot x {Y/N} (standard label protection mode)

English/Espanol/Francais/Italiano/Deutsch (current language)

Tape Bar x {Y/N} (tape completion indication)

VolSafe x {Y/N} (enable VolSafe - write once read many)

Full Code x {Y/N} (drive memory contains full code load)

CSL Xxxxxx {Y/N} (CSL operating mode - System/Auto/Manual)

98x Yyyyyy {x/c} {Normal/Emul} (ID the drive as high-density during an MVS swap)

[x=T9840B only in 3590 emulation modes]

Lib Adr xy {FF/00-13} (2-character hexidecimal library address) manufacturing setting is

FF and it must be changed to a valid drive address when installed in a 9310 library.

December 2012 Menus 51

Online Menu Operation

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom/dynamic WWN is set)

S/N=xxxxxx (drive serial number) (last six-characters of drive DMOD)

Exit CFG ? (exit view configuration) [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the

View CFG? submenu.]

52 T9840 URM December 2012

FICON View Configuration Menu Tree (T9840D)

Use the online view configuration menu tree as a brief guide.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle; then press Menu to set.]

View CFG ? (View Configuration) [Press Select to enter or press Menu to bypass.]

Intf XXXXX {FICON/FCP}

View PrtA? (view current port attributes)

A=xxxxxxay (24-bit address identifier, connection type, and port speed - when

port log in is complete)

B=xxxxxxay (when viewing port B)

SFP module parameters {2G MM0300m/2G SM10.0k}

Hard PA x {Y/N} (Physical Address)

PA=xx,ddd (PA=hex, decimal index) (only when Hard PA is yes)

Soft PA XX {HI/LO} (only when Hard PA is no)

Rate xxxx {Auto/fixed rate - 2Gb or 1Gb} (interface speed negotiation)

Online Menu Operation

MaxSz xxxx {2112/2048} (maximum data frame size)

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit port node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom or dynamic WWN is set)

View PrtB? (current port B attributes) (same sub-menus as port A)

Emul xxxxx {3490/3590/*/*/*/*} (displays current emulation mode)

(*=special modes, used only when directed by Engineering or Tech Support)

Cmprss Xxx {Yes/Off/No} (compression mode)

Full DSE x {Y/N} (data security erase mode)

Drv Adr xy (2-character hexidecimal logical drive address - usually 00)

SL Prot x {Y/N} (standard label protection mode)

English/Espanol/Francais/Italiano/Deutsch (current language)

Tape Bar x {Y/N} (tape completion indication)

VolSafe x {Y/N} (enable VolSafe - write once read many)

Full Code x {Y/N} (drive memory contains full code load)

CSL Xxxxxx {Y/N} (CSL operating mode - System/Auto/Manual)

Lib Adr xy {FF/00-13} (2-character hexidecimal library address) manufacturing setting is

FF and it must be changed to a valid drive address when installed in a 9310 library.

December 2012 Menus 53

Online Menu Operation

H=xxxxxxxx (first half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

L=xxxxxxxx (second half, 64-bit drive node world-wide-name)

WWN Custom (only when custom/dynamic WWN is set)

S/N=xxxxxx (drive serial number) (last six-characters of drive DMOD)

Exit CFG ? (exit view configuration) [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the

View CFG? submenu.]

TCP/IP View Configuration Menu

Use the following menu tree as a brief guide to view the TCP/IP settings of the
T9840D tape drive.

Online/Offline [Press Select to toggle, then press Menu to set.]

View CFG ? [Press Menu to bypass.]

View TCP ? [Press Select to enter or press Menu to bypass.]

DHCP x {Y/N} (must be set to “N” to view/change the static settings)

IPhaaa.bbb {IP Address, high} (first half of static IP address)

IPlccc.ddd {IP Address, low} (second half of static IP address)

NMhaaa.bbb {Net Mask, high} (first half of sub-net mask)

NMlccc.ddd {Net Mask, low} (second half of sub-net mask)

GWhaaa.bbb {Gateway, high} (first half of gateway address)

GWlccc.ddd {Gateway, low} (second half of gateway address)

Exit TCP ? [Press Select to exit or press Menu to return to the View TCP ? submenu.]

54 T9840 URM December 2012

Offline Menus

With the offline menus, the operator can change configuration settings, reformat a
data tape cartridge and build the media information region (MIR) on a tape cartridge.

FIGURE 3-3 Offline Menus/Interface Menu Tree

Offline Menus

December 2012 Menus 55

Offline Menus

Configuration Changes

You can change configuration settings from the drive offline menu system by using

the Menu and Select switches to navigate the offline menu system. You enter the
configuration or TCP/IP submenu when you press the Select switch while the main

menu item appears in the display. The first option in the submenu appears in the
display to confirm your selection.

There are three basic types of change mechanisms: toggles, options, and values.

A toggle is a choice between two values. An example is the DSE mode option where
you must choose between the choices of YES or NO. If YES appears in the display
and you wish the selection to be NO:

1. Press the Select switch.

No appears in the display.

2. Press the Menu switch to advance to the next menu item.

Options are similar to toggles, but you must choose among three or more values.

An example is the Compression mode option with choices of Yes, No, or OFF.

1. Press the Select switch until the desired choice appears in the display.

2. Press the Menu switch to advance to the next menu item.

A value is typically a numeral or a hexadecimal character.

Often you will change an address consisting of one or more characters.

1. Press the Select switch.

The left-most character of the value flashes.

2. Press the Select switch to increment the value.

3. Press the Menu switch when the desired value appears in the display.

The character stops flashing.

The adjacent character to the right flashes.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to set the proper value for the second or
succeeding character. When you have set all characters, go to step 5.

5. Press the Menu switch to advance to the next menu item.

Note – If you press the Select switch, the first character in the

value sequence flashes, and you can increment the value.

The last menu item after a change is typically Save/IPL ?. Press the Select switch

to accept the change and start the drive IPL.

However, if you press the Menu switch, the display will typically advance to Exit
Menu ? Press Select to exit or Menu to return to the first item in the submenu.

56 T9840 URM December 2012

Drive Operations Menu

The Drv Menu ? branch of the main menu is the same for Fibre Channel, SCSI,
ESCON, and FICON interfaces. FIGURE 3-4 shows an expansion of the drive
operations sub-menus.

Note that the menu items both preceding and following the Drv Menu ? branch vary
with the type of data path interface (see FIGURE 3-3 on page 55 for specific menu
items).

FIGURE 3-4 Drive Operations Menu Tree

Offline Menus

December 2012 Menus 57

Offline Menus

58 T9840 URM December 2012

This chapter discusses operator tasks primarily for desktop and rack-mounted tape
drives. Most of these tasks rely on the physical operator panel switches,
alphanumeric display, and the drive menu system.

Basic Tasks

• “Power-on a Drive”

• “Power-off a Drive” on page 60

4

Operator Tasks

Note – For operator tasks relating to drives within a library,

consult the appropriate library operator guide. The scope of tasks
documented depends on the functionality of the particular library.
Library information might describe only drive cleaning or provide
a broad range of tasks (using the drive operator panel, cleaning a
drive, and manually mounting or dismounting a cartridge).

• “IPL the Drive” on page 60

▼ Power-on a Drive

To apply power to the desktop or rack-mount configuration:

1. Make sure the power cord is connected from the receptacle on the chassis rear
panel to an AC power outlet or power strip.

2. Make sure that all interface cables are fully seated.

3. Set the power switch on the back of the drive or the rear panel to on (|).

The drive(s) will power-on and perform an initial program load (IPL).

• The drive power indicator flashes.

• Various messages relative to the IPL sequence appear in the operator panel
display window. These messages do not require any action from you.

The drive successfully completes an IPL when:

• The drive power indicator is steady.

• An asterisk (*) appears in the operator panel display window.

December 2012 Operator Tasks 59

Basic Tasks

▼ Power-off a Drive

To remove power from the desktop and rack-mount configuration:

1. Make sure the tape drive is not in use.

Check for the following elements:

a. There are no active jobs, applications, or programs using this drive.

b. The operator panel activity indicator is steady and not flashing.

c. The display window does not indicate any activity relative to tape

movement, such as reading, writing, or locating.

2. Make sure a data cartridge is not loaded in the tape drive (see “Unload a Data

Cartridge” on page 63, as necessary).

3. Set the power switch on the rear panel to off (O).

▼ IPL the Drive

To IPL (initial program load) a drive that is already powered on:

1. Make sure the tape drive is not in use.

Checking for the following elements:

a. There are no active jobs, applications, or programs using this drive.

b. The operator panel activity indicator is steady and not flashing.

c. The display window does not indicate any activity relative to tape

movement, such as reading, writing, or locating.

2. Make sure a data cartridge is not loaded in the tape drive (see “Unload a Data

Cartridge” on page 63, as necessary).

3. Press the operator panel IPL switch.

When the IPL starts, the following things happen:

• The drive power indicator flashes.

• Various messages relative to the IPL sequence appear in the operator panel

display window. These messages do not require any action from you.

After the drive successfully completes an IPL:

• The drive power indicator is steady.

• An asterisk (*) appears in the operator panel display window.

Note – If a dump is present, the operator panel display window
alternates between the asterisk and the dump message. The dump
present indication stops after you load a tape cartridge.

60 T9840 URM December 2012

Cartridge Procedures

• “Write-protect/Enable a Data Cartridge” on page 61

• “Load a Data Cartridge” on page 62

• “Unload a Data Cartridge” on page 63

• “Use a Cleaning Cartridge” on page 63

Cartridge Handling Precautions

Magnetic fields are present near disk drives and electric motors (the larger the
electric motor, the stronger the magnetic field is which surrounds it). Items
containing buzzers of any form product alternating current electrical fields strong
enough to partly erase a magnetic tape.

Never store cartridges on a floor where moisture might be present or near air
conditioners or air handlers. Air conditioners might leak water as a function of
cooling the air, and air handlers might be adding moisture to the air as a function of
con troll ling the environment in a computer room.

Rough handling of a data cartridge could cause its locking mechanism or brake to
slip, resulting in a loose tape. Loose tapes are easily damaged by a tape drive.

Cartridge Procedures

▼ Write-protect/Enable a Data Cartridge

To write-protect or write-enable a data cartridge, move the write-protect switch on
the cartridge to the desired setting.

The write-protect switch is located on the side of the cartridge as shown in

FIGURE 4-1.

FIGURE 4-1 T9840 Data Cartridge Write Protect Switch

December 2012 Operator Tasks 61

Cartridge Procedures

The switch points to a padlock symbol on the case to indicate a status:

Locked: Write protected. Data can only be read from the data cartridge.

Unlocked: Write enabled (unprotected). Data can be read from and written to the

standard data cartridge. With a VolSafe cartridge, data can be read from the
cartridge, and data can be appended if the drive VolSafe configuration option is
enabled.

▼ Load a Data Cartridge

To load a cartridge into a T9840 tape drive:

Note – A T9840 tape drive accepts only T9840 cartridges.

1. Inspect the cartridge for damage (see “To Identify a Damaged Cartridge”

on page 88).

2. Look into the drive load/unload slot to make sure there are no obstructions.

3. Hold the cartridge by the finger grips with the hub side down, and insert the
cartridge, carefully, into the tape drive loading slot.

Note – For scratch data cartridges and other data cartridges on
which the tape is written, make sure the write protect switch on
the data cartridge is in the unlocked position (see “Write-protect/

Enable a Data Cartridge” on page 61).

4. Push the cartridge into the load slot.

Note – For desktop or rack-mounted tape drives, when a cartridge
is loaded, the operator panel display window indicates one of the
values in the following table

.

Display Meaning

Ready U The cartridge is ready and not file protected (the drive can read,

write, or append data).

Ready F The cartridge is ready and file protected.

A VolSafe cartridge is loaded, but the drive VolSafe option is
disabled.

Ready A The VolSafe cartridge with the proper density is ready.

Ready H The data cartridge density is higher than the drive is capable of

reading or writing.

Ready L The data cartridge is loaded into a drive that is capable of writing at

a higher density (the drive can read a lower density cartridge, but
cannot append data).

LOAD xxxx The cartridge load was not successful.

62 T9840 URM December 2012

▼ Unload a Data Cartridge

Caution – Possible data loss: Do not push the Unload switch while

a data cartridge is in use.

To remove cartridges from the drive:

1. Make sure the tape drive is not in use.

Check for the following elements:

a. There are no active jobs, applications, or programs using this drive.

b. The operator panel activity indicator is steady and not flashing.

c. The display window does not indicate any activity relative to tape

movement, such as reading, writing, or locating.

2. Press the operator panel Unload switch.

An asterisk (*) should appear in the display when the cartridge is unloaded.

Note – If the drive is offline, the asterisk will alternate with
Offline.

3. Grasp the cartridge by the finger grips and extract it from the load/unload slot.

Cartridge Procedures

4. Set the write protect switch to the locked position, if applicable.

▼ Use a Cleaning Cartridge

Caution – Equipment damage: Do not wet-clean the tape drive. Do

not clean the tape drive unless the Clean indicator lights.

After the tape drive transports a predetermined length of tape or records a pre-

determined number of errors, the Clean indicator lights. It is time to clean the tape

drive.

Note – Use the appropriate cleaning cartridge for the drive model
(see “Cartridges” on page 23).

1. Make sure the tape drive is not in use before proceeding to Step 2.

Note – If there is a tape loaded in the tape drive, make sure the
application or job that was using that tape drive is no longer
running.

2. Unload any data cartridge in the tape drive (“Unload a Data Cartridge”

on page 63).

3. Insert a cleaning cartridge in the tape drive.

When loaded, the activity light flashes. Cleaning is complete when the activity and
clean indicators turn off, and the tape drive unloads the cleaning cartridge.

December 2012 Operator Tasks 63

Menu System Tasks

Note – The tape drive might immediately eject the cleaning
cartridge and show the message Expo Clacker in the front panel
display. This indicates that the cleaning cartridge has been used its
maximum number of cleaning cycles. Discard the worn cleaning
cartridge and insert a new cleaning cartridge into the tape drive.

The cleaning cartridge can be used about 100 times before you
must discard it.

If CHK sextets appears in the tape drive’s front panel display, where sextets is
the fault symptom code (FSC), a cleaning cartridge failure occurred.

Try the procedure again with a different cleaning cartridge. If the problem
persists, contact your service representative.

4. Remove the cleaning cartridge from the tape drive.

This completes the cleaning process and the tape drive is ready to resume normal
operations.

Menu System Tasks

The remaining operator tasks are accomplished by using the drive menu system.
Some tasks can be performed from the offline menu system only.

• “Place the Drive Online” on page 65

• “View the Drive Configuration” on page 65

• “View the Firmware Release Level” on page 66

• “Place the Drive Offline” on page 66

• “Reformat a Cartridge” on page 67

• “Build the MIR” on page 68

• “Exit the Menu System” on page 69

You can use the Virtual Operator Panel, version 1.0.12 (or higher), with Oracle’s
StorageTek T9840D tape drive to perform many of the operator tasks listed above (see

“Virtual Operator Panel” on page 36). The Virtual Operator Panel provides a

graphical user interface to accomplish task functions. See the StorageTek Virtual
Operator Panel Customer User’s Guide for specific information.

Note – VOP version 1.0.13 (or higher) in conjunction with the
appropriate drive code level supports the use of an IPv6 address.

64 T9840 URM December 2012

▼ Place the Drive Online

To change the tape drive state from offline to online:

1. Press the operator panel Menu switch until Offline appears in the display

window.

Note – If you are within a submenu, press the Menu switch until

Exit XXX ? appears in the display window and press the Select

switch to enter the main menu.

2. Press the operator panel Select switch to toggle the drive state.

Online appears in the display window.

3. Press the Menu switch until Exit Menu? appears in the display window.

4. Press the Select switch to exit the menu system.

5. Bring the tape drive back online to the host by using one of the following
methods:

• Enterprise: Set the tape drive online for all host paths to the tape drive by

using one of the following Vary commands:

Menu System Tasks

MVS: V <address> online

VM: Vary on, <address>

• Open Systems: if there is a switch unit installed and the port to this tape drive

is blocked, unblock (enable) that switch port.

▼ View the Drive Configuration

To view the current drive configuration settings:

1. Press the operator panel Menu switch to enter the menu system:

•IfOnline appears in the tape drive’s front panel, go to Step 2.

•IfOffline appears in the tape drive’s front panel shows, press the Select

switch to toggle the drive state.

Note – It is important that you view configuration settings in the
online state, because you cannot accidently change online settings.
To change settings, you must first set the drive to the offline state.

2. Press the Menu switch until View CFG ? appears in the display window.

3. Press the operator panel Select switch (Yes) to enter the view configuration

submenus.

The first configuration setting appears in the operator panel display window.

4. Press either the Menu or the Select switch to step through the configuration

settings.

Note – In the drive online state, the Select switch has the same
function as the Menu switch, except when answering a displayed

question.

December 2012 Operator Tasks 65

Menu System Tasks

5. Press either the Menu or Select switch until Exit CFG ? appears in the

display window.

6. Press either the Select switch (Yes) to exit the submenu or the Menu switch (No)

to repeat the view configuration sequence.

7. Press the Menu switch until Exit Menu? appears in the display window.

8. Press either the Select switch (Yes) to exit the menu system or the Menu switch

(No) to return to the online/offline selection menu.

▼ View the Firmware Release Level

1. Press the Menu switch to enter the menu system.

2. Press the Menu switch until a number in the form of Rx.yy.zzzc appears in the

display.

Where:

x: the major revision level

yy: the minor revision level

zzz: the integration level

c: the channel type with the following values for various channel types:

f: Fibre Channel

s: SCSI

e: ESCON/FICON (3490 image)

m: ESCON/FICON (3590 image)

3. Press the Menu switch repeatedly until Exit Menu? appears in the display

window.

4. Press either the Select switch to exit the menu system or press the Menu switch

to repeat the Online/Offline selection.

▼ Place the Drive Offline

To change the drive state to offline:

1. Stop all I/O activity from the host.

In mainframe environments, set the tape drive offline for all host paths to the tape
drive by using one of the following Vary commands:

• MVS: V <address> offline

• VM: Vary off, <address>

In open systems environments, do one of the following:

• Stop the job that is using that tape drive.

• In a multi-host setting, stop any job that is using the tape drive and then, if

there is a switch unit in use, block (disable) the port in that switch to that tape
drive.

66 T9840 URM December 2012

2. Press the operator panel Menu switch.

Online appears in the display window.

3. Press the operator panel Select switch to toggle the drive state.

Offline appears in the display window to indicate a successful transition to the
offline state.

4. Press the Menu switch until Exit Menu? appears in the display window.

5. Press either the Select switch to exit the menu system or the Menu switch to

return to the first main menu item.

Use the offline main menu as appropriate, see “Offline Menus” on page 55.

Note – If you select Exit Menu? the display alternates between
Offline and the normal message after a cartridge has been

loaded as a reminder that the drive is still in the offline state.

▼ Reformat a Cartridge

You can reformat a data cartridge for new data recording using the offline drive
operations menu. Once a data cartridge is reformatted, old data is no longer
accessible because the reformatting and new data recording overwrites previous data
areas.

Menu System Tasks

Note – You cannot reformat a VolSafe data cartridge with the
offline drive operations submenu.

1. Press the Menu switch to access the menu system.

a. If the display shows Offline, go to step 2.

b. If the display shows Online, press the Select switch to place the drive

offline.

2. Press the Menu switch until Drv Menu ? appears in the display.

3. Press the Select switch to enter the submenu.

4. Press the Menu switch until MakeDataTp appears in the display.

5. Press the Select switch (Ld Data Tp appears in the display).

6. Inspect the cartridge for damage (see “To Identify a Damaged Cartridge”

on page 88).

7. Load a write-enabled data cartridge in the drive load slot (see “Load a Data

Cartridge” on page 62).

The drive reformats and ejects the data cartridge.

8. Remove the cartridge.

9. Press the Menu switch until Exit Drv ? appears in the display.

10. Press either the Select switch to enter the main menu or the Menu switch to

repeat the drive operations menu.

11. Press the Menu switch until Exit Menu? appears in the display

December 2012 Operator Tasks 67

Menu System Tasks

12. Press either the Select switch to exit the menu system or the Menu switch to

repeat the Online/Offline selection.

▼ Build the MIR

This process rebuilds an MIR from the operator panel.

1. Set the drive to the offline state.

2. Press the Menu switch until Drv Menu? appears in the display window.

3. Press the Select switch (Yes) once.

The first drive utilities submenu appears in the display window.

4. Press the Menu switch until Build MIR appears in the display window.

5. Press the Select switch to begin the MIR rebuilding process.

Ld Cust Tp appears in the display window.

Note – It is a best practice to return the drive to the online state.
See “Place the Drive Online” on page 65.

Note – Any loaded cartridge unloads at this time. Remove any
cartridge that may be present.

6. Inspect the cartridge for damage (see “To Identify a Damaged Cartridge”

on page 88).

7. Insert a write-enabled cartridge with a defective MIR (see “Load a Data

Cartridge” on page 62).

The drive rebuilds the MIR and ejects the data cartridge.

Note – Rebuilding the MIR could take up to 40 minutes for a full
data cartridge.

8. Remove the cartridge from the drive load/unload slot.

If there are other cartridges for MIR rebuilding, repeat Step 6 and Step 7 for each
cartridge. When the drive has rebuilt all cartridges with defective MIRs, continue
with Step 9.

9. Press the Menu switch once.

Exit Drv? appears in the display window.

10. Press either the Select switch (Yes) to exit the drive utilities submenus or
the Menu switch (No) to repeat the utilities submenu sequence.

11. Press the Menu switch until Exit Drv ? appears in the display.

12. Press either the Select switch to enter the main menu or the Menu switch to

repeat the drive operations menu.

13. Press the Menu switch until Exit Menu? appears in the display

14. Press either the Select switch to exit the menu system or the Menu switch to

repeat the Online/Offline selection.

Note – It is a best practice to return the drive to the online state.
See “Place the Drive Online” on page 65.

68 T9840 URM December 2012

▼ Exit the Menu System

1. Press the Menu switch repeatedly until Exit Menu? appears in the display

window.

Note – If you are within a submenu, press the Menu switch until

Exit XXX ? appears in the display window and press the Select

switch to enter the main menu.

2. Press the Menu switch to determine the current drive state (Offline or Online

appears in the display).

3. If the present state is offline, press the Select switch (Online appears in the

display)

4. Press the Menu switch repeatedly until Exit Menu? appears in the display.

5. Press the Select switch (an * or Online appears in the display).

Menu System Tasks

December 2012 Operator Tasks 69

Menu System Tasks

70 T9840 URM December 2012

This chapter summarizes the operator panel indicator lights and display messages.

Indicators

TABLE 5-1 shows the meaning of the indicators located on the front panel and the

recommended action.

TABLE 5-1 Operator Panel Indicators

5

Indicators and Messages

Indicator

power activity clean service

Off The drive is powered off. Power on the drive as required.

Flashing Off The drive is in initial

program load (IPL).

Persistent
Flashing

On Off Normal operation. None

On Off No tape cartridge is

On On A tape cartridge is loaded. None

On Flashing The tape is moving. None

On Off No cleaning is required. None

On On Cleaning is required. Load the appropriate cleaning

On Flashing On Cleaning is proceeding. None.

On On A drive error occurred. Perform an IPL on the drive. If

Off The drive failed IPL and

cannot exit the sequence.

loaded.

Meaning Recommended Action

None

Power the drive off and on
again. If the problem persists,
place a service call.

Load a tape cartridge as
needed.

cartridge in the drive.

the problem persists, place a
service call.

On Flashing An error occurred and

December 2012 Indicators and Messages 71

dump data was collected.

Observe the display message.
See TABLE 5-2 for more
information about the message.

Messages

Messages

TABLE 5-2 lists operator panel display messages, meanings, and recommended

actions.

TABLE 5-2 Operator Panel Display Messages

Display Meaning Recommended Action

* (asterisk) The tape drive is online but a cartridge tape

is not loaded.

ASIA Diags IPL diagnostics are running. None

Bank n Bad During boot, a section of memory was found

bad.

BldMIRFail Rebuild of Media Information Region (MIR)

unsuccessful.

Note: Code level 1.30.109 and higher displays
CHK XXXX.

Boot Fail The IPL failed. IPL the tape drive again. If the

BT Monitor A sequence of switches accessed an

engineering area.

CC Diags IPL diagnostics are running. None

CHK xxxx,

where xxxx
is an FSC

An operational failure occurred; the tape
drive might automatically perform an IPL
depending on the operational mode of the
drive and the specific failure.

Load a cartridge tape as required.

IPL the tape drive. If the problem
persists, place a service call.

problem persists, place a service call.

IPL the tape drive. If the problem
persists, place a service call.

Wait for the IPL to complete and
retry the operation. If the problem
persists, place a service call.

See TABLE 5-3 on page 76 for a list of
codes that are most often caused by
an operator error.

Cleaning

(*Cleaning*)

cnhndnsn
(Hardware
revision level
supported by
the firmware in
this drive)

CodCrFail1 The tape drive cannot write code onto the

CodCrFail2 The tape drive cannot read code from the

CodeUpDate The firmware in the tape drive is being

72 T9840 URM December 2012

A cleaning cartridge is in the tape drive and
is now cleaning.

The tape drive firmware level is insufficient
to control the tape drive hardware.

data cartridge tape, or the tape drive cannot
position the data cartridge tape.

data cartridge tape.

updated from the host; the operator panel
switches are locked.

None

Place a service call.

Ensure that the tape is write-enabled,
or try another cartridge tape.

Retry the operation, or try another
cartridge tape. If the problem
persists, place a service call.

None

TABLE 5-2 Operator Panel Display Messages (Continued)

Display Meaning Recommended Action

Messages

CodUpFail1 The tape drive cannot read the data cartridge

Try another cartridge tape.
tape, or the tape drive cannot position the
data cartridge tape.

CodUpFail2 The EEPROM failed. Contact authorized service

personnel.

CodUpFail3 The tape drive cannot read code from the

data cartridge tape.

Retry the operation, or try another

cartridge tape. If the problem

persists, contact authorized service

personnel.

CodUpFail4 The data cartridge tape is not a code update

cartridge tape.

Try another code update cartridge

tape. If the problem persists, place a

service call.

DatCrFail1 The tape drive cannot create (reformat or

reclaim) a cartridge tape.

Ensure that the data cartridge tape is

write-enabled, or try to reformat the

tape on another drive. If the problem

persists, place a service call.

DmpCrFail1 The tape drive cannot create (reformat or

reclaim) a diagnostic dump tape.

Ensure that the data cartridge tape is

write-enabled. If the problem

persists, place a service call.

DmpCrFail2 The tape drive cannot read the format of the

data cartridge tape.

Retry the operation, or try another

cartridge tape. If the problem

persists, place a service call.

DmpWrFail1 The tape drive cannot write diagnostic data

onto the data cartridge tape, or the tape drive

Contact authorized service

personnel.
cannot position the data cartridge tape.

DmpWrFail2 There is no diagnostic dump data to process. Contact authorized service

personnel.

xxxx:Dmp y Alternates with * (an asterisk) after

completion of IPL, where xxxx=the FSC of
last dump data collected and Y=number of

Contact authorized service personnel

who accesses the diagnostic data and

collects it to tape or to the host.
uncollected dumps in non-volatile memory.

DumpAgain?
alternating
with CHK
xxxx, where

The tape drive detected the same error within
a minute.

Note: The Service indicator is flashing.

IPL the tape drive. If the problem

persists, contact authorized service

personnel.

xxxx is an FSC.

DumpToHost The dump or event log is being transferred to

None
the host; operator panel switches are locked.

Exp ClCart The cleaning cartridge is used up. Replace the cleaning cartridge.

Fix CfgErr The checksum does not match after an IPL. Contact authorized service

personnel.

December 2012 Indicators and Messages 73

Messages

TABLE 5-2 Operator Panel Display Messages (Continued)

Display Meaning Recommended Action

Init xxxx.
where xxxx is

An initialization error occurred. Contact authorized service

personnel.

an FSC

IPL Pend The IPL switch has been pressed. None

LOAD CC The common controller code is loading; IPL

None
is proceeding.

LOAD ESCON ESCON firmware is loading; IPL is

None
proceeding.

LOAD FIBRE Fibre Channel firmware is loading; IPL is

None
proceeding.

LOAD FICON FICON firmware is loading; IPL is

None
proceeding.

LOAD SERVO The servo code is loading; IPL is proceeding. None

LOAD SCSI SCSI firmware is loading; IPL is proceeding. None

LOAD xxxx,

where xxxx is
an FSC

The load or unload operation failed. If the load failed, insert another

cartridge tape. If it loads successfully,

suspect the original tape. If another

tape fails to load, IPL the tape drive.

If the problem persists, contact your

service representative.

Loading A cartridge tape is loading. None

Locating The tape drive is doing a high-speed seek. None

Memory Err The IPL failed. IPL the tape drive again. If the

problem persists, contact authorized

service personnel.

NTReady A A write-enabled VolSafe data cartridge is in

None
the process of a manual unload.

NTReady F A write-protected tape is in the process of a

None
manual unload.

NTReady U A write-enabled tape is in the process of a

None
manual unload.

Offline,

alternating

The tape drive is offline. Perform offline menu operations or

exit the menu system.

with *

Online The tape drive is online. None

OnLn Pend The online state is pending completion of IPL

None
diagnostics.

Power Fail The power supply failed. Contact authorized service

personnel.

Reading The tape drive is reading data. None

74 T9840 URM December 2012

TABLE 5-2 Operator Panel Display Messages (Continued)

Display Meaning Recommended Action

Messages

Ready A The loaded cartridge tape is a VolSafe

None
cartridge.

Ready F The loaded cartridge tape is write-protected. None

Ready H A loaded high-density data cartridge is write-

enabled by the cartridge write-protect switch

Reload with low-density cartridge or

intentionally over-write from BOT.
in the unlocked position.

Ready L A loaded low-density data cartridge is write-

enabled by the cartridge write-protect switch
in the unlocked position.

Use for read-only jobs or

intentionally over-write from BOT.

Note: Low-density data files can be

read, but not revised by a higher

density drive.

Ready U The loaded cartridge tape is write-enabled

None
(write-unprotected).

Rewinding The tape drive is rewinding. None

Save Fails The new configuration cannot be saved

because the read-access memory (RAM) may
be defective.

This message is associated with

changing the tape drive

configuration, a task for authorized

service personnel only.

SavingDump A dump is being saved to non-volatile

None
memory.

Start Init Initialization has started. None

Trapped The IPL process is trapped in a loop. IPL the tape drive again. If the

problem persists, place a service call.

Unloading A cartridge tape is unloading. None

UnWr xxxx,

where xxxx is
an FSC

The Unload switch was pressed during a
write operation. Some data remains
unwritten.

To write the unwritten data, issue the

command:

ESCON Swap in the VM/MVS
environment

Alternatively, Press the Unload

switch again; unwritten data is lost.

Write Prot The tape drive attempted to write to a write-

protected cartridge tape.

Change the switch on the data

cartridge tape to enable writing.

Writing The tape drive is writing data. None

December 2012 Indicators and Messages 75

Messages

Potential Operator Recovery Scenarios

The following table contains Fault Symptom Codes (FSCs) that commonly result from
an operator error. The first column in the table lists an operator panel message at the
time of the error event. The description column provides insight into the error
condition from which you should be able to determine a recovery action.

TABLE 5-3 Selected Check Message Meanings

Message Description

CHK 6109 This drive does not contain the key needed to decrypt this tape.

The ID of the missing key can be viewed from this drive using the VOP program.

The ID has also been written to the Operational Key Token (OKT).

Connect the OKT to the Key Management Station (KMS) and view the error log for
error 6109

CHK A33A The user requested a motion operation that requires a tape to be installed,

however, a tape has not been loaded.

CHK A34C The user requested a write operation that requires a tape to be installed; however,

a tape has not been loaded.

CHK A3FB A format override tape write operation failed. The failure may not be serious.

Error recovery was not invoked for the failure. Re-attempting the test may resolve
this issue.

CHK A733 The operator or library inserted a write protected tape into the drive while in a

menu selected create tape mode. If the write protect switch on the cartridge is
moved to the unlocked position, operation will work.

CHK A749 A high density tape was attempted to be read on a drive only capable of reading

lower density tapes. Retry with a low density tape.

CHK A74E A high density tape was loaded on a low density drive, or a low density tape was

loaded on a high density drive. In either case, the drive cannot write to the tape.

The MIR cannot be written on the tape during the unload process so there is no
point in running the build MIR function.

If it is a high density tape, rebuild the MIR on a high density drive.

If it is a low density tape, rebuild the MIR on a low density drive.

76 T9840 URM December 2012

Messages

Translated Messages

TABLE 5-4 lists operator panel display messages that are translated when the drive

configuration Language option is set to something other than English.

TABLE 5-4 Translated Display Messages

English Espanol Francais Italiano Deutsch

*CLEANING* *LIMPIEZA* *NETTOYAGE *PULIZIA* *REINIGEN*

CHK XXXX ERR XXXX ERR XXXX ERR XXXX PRUEF XXXX

*ERASING* *BORRANDO* EFFACEMENT *CANCELLA* *LOESCHEN*

Locating Localizar Recherche Ricerca Suchen

LOAD XXXX CARGA XXXX CHARG XXXX CARIC XXXX LADEN XXXX

Loading Cargando Chargement Carico Laden

NT Ready A No Listo A NPret A No Prnt A N Bereit A

NT Ready F No Listo F NPret F No Prnt F N Bereit F

NT Ready U No Listo U NPret U No Prnt U N Bereit U

*Overtemp* *Caliente* *Overtemp* *Temperat* * Heiss *

Processing Procesar Traitement Processo Verarbeitn

Reading Leer Lecture Lettura Lesen

Ready A Listo A Pret A Pronto A Bereit A

Ready F Listo F Pret F Pronto F Bereit F

Ready H Listo H Pret H Pronto H Bereit H

Ready L Listo L Pret L Pronto L Bereit L

Ready U Listo U Pret U Pronto U Bereit U

Rewinding Rebobinar Rebobinage Riavvolgi Spulen

Unloading Descarga Dechargemt Scarico Entladen

Writing Excritura Ecriture Scrittura Schreiben

December 2012 Indicators and Messages 77

Messages

78 T9840 URM December 2012

This appendix lists the physical, power, and performance specifications for the T9840
tape drive plus the environmental requirements for the drive and data cartridges.

Physical Specifications

This section lists the physical specifications for T9840 tape drives in three
configurations: desktop, rack mount, and library attached.

Tape Drive Only

TABLE A-1 lists the T9840 tape drive physical specifications.

TABLE A-1 T9840 Tape Drive Physical Specifications

Measurement Specification

A

Specifications

Width 146 mm (5.75 in.)

Depth 381 mm (15 in.)

Height 82.5 mm (3.25 in.)

Desktop Configuration

The T9840 desktop configuration is a single enclosed assembly.

TABLE A-2 T9840 Tape Drive Desktop Physical Specifications

Drive Type Chassis Dimensions Weight

Manual-Load Drive 230 mm (9.1 in.) wide

160 mm (6.5 in.) high
483 mm (19 in.) deep

Cartridge Scratch Loader 483 mm (19 in.) wide

197 mm (7.7 in.) high
630 mm (24.8 in.) deep

1. Plus 76 mm (3 in.) for cables

December 2012 Specifications 79

9.3 kg (20.5 lb)

1

23 kg (50 lb)

1

Physical Specifications

Rack-Mount Configuration

Chassis dimensions:

483 mm (19 in.) wide

177 mm (7.0 in.) high

630 mm (24.8 in.) deep plus 76 mm (3 in.) for cables

Weight:

Single drive 14.1 kg (32 lb), dual drive 20.4 kg (45 lb), and Cartridge Scratch
Loader 18 kg (39 lb)

Library-attached Configuration

TABLE A-3 lists the weights of the library tape drives and accessories (including

trays, power supplies, and cables).

TABLE A-3 T9840 Tape Drive Weights (Library-attached)

Library Drive and Accessory Weights

9310/9740/L5500 7.30 kg (16.1 lb)

L180/L700/L1400 7.39 kg (16.3 lb)

SL3000 9.53 kg (21 lb)

SL8500 8.85 kg (19.5 lb)

The T9840 Tape Drive library-attached configuration trays fit inside the:

• StorageTek L180/L700/L1400 libraries

• StorageTek SL3000 Modular Library System

• StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library System

• 9741 drive cabinet that attaches to StorageTek 9310 and 9740 libraries

• 9741E drive cabinet that attaches to StorageTek 9310, 9740, and L5500 libraries

Refer to the appropriate library Systems Assurance Guide for the physical
dimensions and weights of the library and frame.

80 T9840 URM December 2012

Power Specifications

The power specifications for the T9840 tape drive are listed in the following table.

TABLE A-4 T9840 Tape Drive Power Specifications

Characteristic Value

Input voltage 100 to 240 VAC

Input frequency 50 to 60 Hz

Power consumption T9840D

Power Specifications

61.7 W - write

43 W - Idle with tape loaded

35 W - Idle no tape loaded

T9840C

65W-write

45 W - Idle with tape loaded

38 W - Idle no tape loaded

SL8500 Power dissipation 345 Btu/hr

Environmental Requirements

This section lists the environmental requirements for the tape drive, power supply,
and tape cartridge.

Airborne Contamination

Tape drives and media are subject to damage from airborne particles. The operating
environment must adhere to the ISO 14644-1 Class 8 requirements (see

Appendix C, “Controlling Contaminants”).

Tape Drive and Power Supply

TABLE A-6 on page 83 lists the environmental requirements for the tape drive and

the power supply.

December 2012 Specifications 81

Environmental Requirements

TABLE A-5 T9840 Drive and Power Supply Environmental Requirements

Description Range

Temperature

Operating 15° to 32°C (59° to 90°F)

Shipping -40° to 60°C (-40° to 140°F)

Storing 10° to 40°C (50° to 104°F)

Relative Humidity, (non-condensing)

Operating 20% to 80%

Shipping 10% to 95%

Storing 10% to 95%

Wet Bulb Maximum

Operating 29°C (84°F)

Shipping 35°C (95°F)

Storing 35°C (95°F)

Altitude

Operating 26°C (79°F) 3.05 km (10,000 feet)

Note – Except in China markets where
regulations may limit installations to a maximum
altitude of 2 km (6,562 ft).

Shipping 26°C (79°F) 15.2 km (50,000 feet)

Storing 26°C (79°F) 3.05 km (10,000 feet)

Air Flow Requirement (Operating Heat Output)

Drive and power supply

73.2 Calories/hr (290.2 Btu/hr)

operating

82 T9840 URM December 2012

Tape Cartridge

TABLE A-6 lists the T9840 tape cartridge environmental requirements.

TABLE A-6 T9840 Tape Cartridge Environmental Requirements

Characteristic Value

Temperature

Operating

Storage (up to four weeks) 5° to 32°C (41° to 90°F)

Storage (archival) 18° to 26°C (65° to 79°F)

Shipping (unrecorded)

Shipping (recorded)

Relative Humidity (non-condensing)

Operating

Storage (up to four weeks) 5% to 80%

Storage (archival) 40% to 60%

Shipping (unrecorded)

Shipping (recorded)

Performance Specifications

1

2

2

1

2

2

15° to 32°C (59° to 90°F)

-23° to 49°C (-10° to 120°F)

4° to 40°C (40° to 104°F)

20% to 80%

5% to 80%

5% to 80%

Wet Bulb Maximum

Operating

1

26°C (79°F)

Storage (nonarchive) 26°C (79°F)

Storage (archival) 26°C (79°F)

Shipping (unrecorded)

Shipping (recorded)

2

2

26°C (79°F)

26°C (79°F)

1. The acclimation time before use is 24 hours.

2. The shipping environment must not exceed the limit of the storage environment,
archive or nonarchive, for longer than 10 days.

Performance Specifications

This section describes the T9840 Tape Drive and Tape Cartridge performance.

Tape Drive

TABLE A-7 on page 84 lists the performance specifications of the T9840 tape drive.

December 2012 Specifications 83

Performance Specifications

TABLE A-7 T9840 Tape Drive Performance Specifications

Characteristic

T9840A T9840B T9840C T9840D

Value

Capacity and Performance

Capacity, native 20 GB 20 GB 40 GB

1

75 GB

Data buffer size 8 MB 32 MB 64 MB 64 MB

tape speed, read/write 2 m/s 4 m/s 3.295 m/s 3.4 m/s

Performance, native (head-to-tape)

uncompressed 10 MB/s 19 MB/s 30 MB/s 30 MB/s

compressed (maximum) 35 MB/s 60 MB/s 60 MB/s 60 MB/s

Burst (FC & FICON) 100 MB/s 200 MB/s 200 MB/s 200 MB/s

Burst (ESCON) 17 MB/s 17 MB/s 17 MB/s 17 MB/s

Interface data

Fibre Channel 1 Gb 2 Gb 2 Gb 2 Gb

Ultra SCSI (HVD) 40 MB/s 40 MB/s N/A N/A

ESCON 17 MB/s 17 MB/s 17 MB/s 17 MB/s

1

2

FICON N/A 2 Gb 2 Gb 2 Gb

Access times

Tape load and thread to ready 7 sec 7 sec 6.5 sec 8.5 sec

File access, first (average) 8 sec 8 sec 8 sec 8 sec

Rewind (maximum/average) 16/8 sec 16/8 sec 16/8 sec 16/8 sec

Unload 8 sec 8 sec 11.5 sec 12.5 sec

Reliability

Mean time between failure (MTBF)

Power on @ 100% duty cycle 290,000 hr 290,000 hr 290,000 hr 290,000 hr

Tape load @ 10/day (100k loads) 240,000 hr 240,000 hr 240,000 hr 240,000 hr

Tape path motion (TPM) @ 70% duty cycle 216,000 hr 216,000 hr 216,000 hr 216,000 hr

Head life @ 70% TPM duty cycle 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years

Uncorrected bit error rate 1 x 10

Undetected bit error rate 1 x 10

-18

-33

1x10

1x10

-18

-33

1x10

1x10

-18

-33

1x10

1x10

-18

-33

1. VR2is a trademark of Overland Storage.
VR2technology is used to achieve T9840C and T9840D capacity.

2. Fibre Channel (FC) write and 55 MB/s FICON write

84 T9840 URM December 2012

Tape Cartridge

TABLE A-8 lists the physical and performance specifications for the StorageTek 9840

data cartridge. The cleaning cartridges have the same physical specifications.

TABLE A-8 StorageTek 9840 Data Cartridge Physical and Performance
Specifications

Characteristic Value

Cartridge physical data

Drive compatibility T9840A, T9840B, T9840C, T9840D

Form factor 1/2 in. cartridge, 3490/3490E

Width 10.9 cm (4.29 in.)

Length 12.5 cm (4.92 in.)

Height 2.54 cm (1.0 in.)

Weight 262 g (9.17 oz)

Drop strength Drop strength 1.0 m (39.4 in.)

Performance Specifications

Tape media data

Capacity, native (uncompressed) 20 GB (T9840A, T9840B)

40 GB1(T9840C))

75 GB1(T9840D)

Tracks 288 (T9840A, T9840B, T9840C)

576 (T9840D)

Track following servo Factory pre-recorded

Formulation Advanced metal particle (AMP)

Physical thickness 9 microns

Physical length 271 m (889 ft)

Recordable length (including MIR) 251 m (823 ft)

Reliability

Archival life 15-30 years

Short-length durability 80,000 write/read passes minimum

Long-life durability 6,500 write/read passes minimum

Load/unloads 10,000 minimum

Uncorrected bit error rate 1 x 10

-18

Permanent errors Zero

1. VR2is a trademark of Overland Storage.
VR2technology is used to achieve T9840C and T9840D capacity.

December 2012 Specifications 85

Performance Specifications

86 T9840 URM December 2012

StorageTek 9840 tape cartridges require care to ensure proper operation and
longevity.

▼ To Handle a Tape Cartridge

Caution – Tape cartridge damage or data loss: Handle tape cartridges

properly.

• Follow accepted tape cartridge handling practices.

Consider the following guidelines:

• Never open a data cartridge or touch the tape.

• Never carry data cartridges loosely in a container.

• Never expose the tape or cartridges to direct sunlight or moisture.

B

Cartridge Care

• Never expose a recorded data cartridge to magnetic fields.

• Always maintain a clean operating, working, and storage environment.

▼ To Store a Tape Cartridge

• Follow accepted practices to store tape cartridges.

Note – Always store tape cartridges in an environment with the
specified range of temperature and humidity found in “Tape

Cartridge” on page 83.

Consider the following guidelines:

• Never take data cartridges out of their protective wrapping until they are
needed. Always use the tear string, not a sharp instrument, to remove the
wrapping.

• Store data cartridges in a dirt-free environment that, if possible, duplicates the
conditions of the data processing center.

• Before using data cartridges that have been in tape storage, acclimate the
cartridges to the operating environment for at least 24 hours.

December 2012 Cartridge Care 87

▼ To Identify a Damaged Cartridge

Caution – Equipment damage: Do not load a damaged cartridge.

• Inspect the cartridge for problems before loading it into a drive.

Look for the following problems:

• A cracked or broken case

• A dirty case (see “To Clean a Cartridge”)

• A missing or broken access door

• A damaged file-protect switch

• Liquid in the cartridge

• A loose label (replace or remove the label)

• Any other obvious damage

▼ To Clean a Cartridge

• Wipe all dust, dirt, and moisture from the cartridge case with a lint-free cloth.

▼ To Ship a Cartridge

Caution – Data cartridge damage: Ship data cartridges properly.

If you must ship tape cartridges, especially if they are for remote system backup,
remote database duplication, or disaster recovery, follow these guidelines:

1. Save the original factory packaging. Use it, or the equivalent, to package tape
cartridges.

2. Wrap the tape cartridges in plastic to block moisture and contamination from
entering the tape cartridges.

3. Pad the tape cartridges on all sides.

4. Fill voids in the packaging with padding equivalent to the original padding, if
you are using factory packaging to ship fewer tape cartridges than the
packaging originally held, or if you are using other packaging.

5. Label the outside of the shipping carton clearly with text or accepted symbols
that indicate:

• Do not expose to magnetic fields

• Do not expose to moisture

• This end up

• Fragile

88 T9840 URM December 2012

Controlling Contaminants

Environmental Contaminants

Control over contaminant levels in a computer room is extremely important because
tape libraries, tape drives, and tape media are subject to damage from airborne
particulates. Most particles smaller than ten microns are not visible to the naked eye
under most conditions, but these particles can be the most damaging. As a result, the
operating environment must adhere to the following requirements:

• ISO 14644-1 Class 8 Environment.

• The total mass of airborne particulates must be less than or equal to 200
micrograms per cubic meter.

• Severity level G1 per ANSI/ISA 71.04-1985.

Oracle currently requires the ISO 14644-1 standard approved in 1999, but will require
any updated standards for ISO 14644-1 as they are approved by the ISO governing
body. The ISO 14644-1 standard primarily focuses on the quantity and size of
particulates as well as the proper measurement methodology, but does not address
the overall mass of the particulates. As a result, the requirement for total mass
limitations is also necessary as a computer room or data center could meet the ISO
14644-1 specification, but still damage equipment because of the specific type of
particulates in the room. In addition, the ANSI/ISA 71.04-1985 specification
addresses gaseous contaminations as some airborne chemicals are more hazardous.
All three requirements are consistent with the requirements set by other major tape
storage vendors.

C

Required Air Quality Levels

Particles, gasses and other contaminants may impact the sustained operations of
computer hardware. Effects can range from intermittent interference to actual
component failures. The computer room must be designed to achieve a high level of
cleanliness. Airborne dusts, gasses and vapors must be maintained within defined
limits to help minimize their potential impact on the hardware.

Airborne particulate levels must be maintained within the limits of ISO 14644-1 Class
8 Environment. This standard defines air quality classes for clean zones based on
airborne particulate concentrations. This standard has an order of magnitude less
particles than standard air in an office environment. Particles ten microns or smaller
are harmful to most data processing hardware because they tend to exist in large

December 2012 Controlling Contaminants 89

Contaminant Properties and Sources

numbers, and can easily circumvent many sensitive components’ internal air
filtration systems. When computer hardware is exposed to these submicron particles
in great numbers they endanger system reliability by posing a threat to moving parts,
sensitive contacts and component corrosion.

Excessive concentrations of certain gasses can also accelerate corrosion and cause
failure in electronic components. Gaseous contaminants are a particular concern in a
computer room both because of the sensitivity of the hardware, and because a proper
computer room environment is almost entirely recirculating. Any contaminant threat
in the room is compounded by the cyclical nature of the airflow patterns. Levels of
exposure that might not be concerning in a well ventilated site repeatedly attack the
hardware in a room with recirculating air. The isolation that prevents exposure of the
computer room environment to outside influences can also multiply any detrimental
influences left unaddressed in the room.

Gasses that are particularly dangerous to electronic components include chlorine
compounds, ammonia and its derivatives, oxides of sulfur and petrol hydrocarbons.
In the absence of appropriate hardware exposure limits, health exposure limits must
be used.

While the following sections will describe some best practices for maintaining an ISO
14644-1 Class 8 Environment in detail, there are some basic precautions that must be
adhered to:

• Do not allow food or drink into the area.

• Cardboard, wood, or packing materials must not be stored in the data center clean
area.

• Identify a separate area for unpacking new equipment from crates and boxes.

• Do not allow construction or drilling in the data center without first isolating
sensitive equipment and any air targeted specifically for the equipment.
Construction generates a high level of particulates that exceed ISO 14644-1 Class 8
criteria in a localized area. Dry wall and gypsum are especially damaging to
storage equipment.

Contaminant Properties and Sources

Contaminants in the room can take many forms, and can come from numerous
sources. Any mechanical process in the room can produce dangerous contaminants or
agitate settled contaminants. A particle must meet two basic criteria to be considered
a contaminant:

• It must have the physical properties that could potentially cause damage to the
hardware.

• It must be able to migrate to areas where it can cause the physical damage.

The only differences between a potential contaminant and an actual contaminant are
time and location. Particulate matter is most likely to migrate to areas where it can do
damage if it is airborne. For this reason, airborne particulate concentration is a useful
measurement in determining the quality of the computer room environment.
Depending on local conditions, particles as big as 1,000 microns can become airborne,
but their active life is very short, and they are arrested by most filtration devices.

90 T9840 URM December 2012

Submicron particulates are much more dangerous to sensitive computer hardware,
because they remain airborne for a much longer period of time, and they are more
apt to bypass filters.

Operator Activity

Human movement within the computer space is probably the single greatest source
of contamination in an otherwise clean computer room. Normal movement can
dislodge tissue fragments, such as dander or hair, or fabric fibers from clothing. The
opening and closing of drawers or hardware panels or any metal-on-metal activity
can produce metal filings. Simply walking across the floor can agitate settled
contamination making it airborne and potentially dangerous.

Hardware Movement

Hardware installation or reconfiguration involves a great deal of subfloor activity,
and settled contaminants can very easily be disturbed, forcing them to become
airborne in the supply air stream to the room's hardware. This is particularly
dangerous if the subfloor deck is unsealed. Unsealed concrete sheds fine dust
particles into the airstream, and is susceptible to efflorescence -- mineral salts brought
to the surface of the deck through evaporation or hydrostatic pressure.

Contaminant Properties and Sources

Outside Air

Inadequately filtered air from outside the controlled environment can introduce
innumerable contaminants. Post-filtration contamination in duct work can be
dislodged by air flow, and introduced into the hardware environment. This is
particularly important in a downward-flow air conditioning system in which the sub­floor void is used as a supply air duct. If the structural deck is contaminated, or if the
concrete slab is not sealed, fine particulate matter (such as concrete dust or
efflorescence) can be carried directly to the room's hardware.

Stored Items

Storage and handling of unused hardware or supplies can also be a source of
contamination. Corrugated cardboard boxes or wooden skids shed fibers when
moved or handled. Stored items are not only contamination sources; their handling in
the computer room controlled areas can agitate settled contamination already in the
room.

Outside Influences

A negatively pressurized environment can allow contaminants from adjoining office
areas or the exterior of the building to infiltrate the computer room environment
through gaps in the doors or penetrations in the walls. Ammonia and phosphates are
often associated with agricultural processes, and numerous chemical agents can be
produced in manufacturing areas. If such industries are present in the vicinity of the
data center facility, chemical filtration may be necessary. Potential impact from
automobile emissions, dusts from local quarries or masonry fabrication facilities or
sea mists should also be assessed if relevant.

December 2012 Controlling Contaminants 91

Contaminant Effects

Cleaning Activity

Inappropriate cleaning practices can also degrade the environment. Many chemicals
used in normal or “office” cleaning applications can damage sensitive computer
equipment. Potentially hazardous chemicals outlined in the “Cleaning Procedures

and Equipment” section should be avoided. Out-gassing from these products or

direct contact with hardware components can cause failure. Certain biocide
treatments used in building air handlers are also inappropriate for use in computer
rooms either because they contain chemicals, that can degrade components, or
because they are not designed to be used in the airstream of a re-circulating air
system. The use of push mops or inadequately filtered vacuums can also stimulate
contamination.

It is essential that steps be taken to prevent air contaminants, such as metal particles,
atmospheric dust, solvent vapors, corrosive gasses, soot, airborne fibers or salts from
entering or being generated within the computer room environment. In the absence
of hardware exposure limits, applicable human exposure limits from OSHA, NIOSH
or the ACGIH should be used.

Contaminant Effects

Destructive interactions between airborne particulate and electronic instrumentation
can occur in numerous ways. The means of interference depends on the time and
location of the critical incident, the physical properties of the contaminant and the
environment in which the component is placed.

Physical Interference

Hard particles with a tensile strength at least 10% greater than that of the component
material can remove material from the surface of the component by grinding action
or embedding. Soft particles will not damage the surface of the component, but can
collect in patches that can interfere with proper functioning. If these particles are
tacky they can collect other particulate matter. Even very small particles can have an
impact if they collect on a tacky surface, or agglomerate as the result of electrostatic
charge build-up.

Corrosive Failure

Corrosive failure or contact intermittence due to the intrinsic composition of the
particles or due to absorption of water vapor and gaseous contaminants by the
particles can also cause failures. The chemical composition of the contaminant can be
very important. Salts, for instance, can grow in size by absorbing water vapor from
the air (nucleating). If a mineral salts deposit exists in a sensitive location, and the
environment is sufficiently moist, it can grow to a size where it can physically
interfere with a mechanism, or can cause damage by forming salt solutions.

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Shorts

Conductive pathways can arise through the accumulation of particles on circuit
boards or other components. Many types of particulate are not inherently conductive,
but can absorb significant quantities of water in high-moisture environments.
Problems caused by electrically conductive particles can range from intermittent
malfunctioning to actual damage to components and operational failures.

Thermal Failure

Premature clogging of filtered devices will cause a restriction in air flow that could
induce internal overheating and head crashes. Heavy layers of accumulated dust on
hardware components can also form an insulative layer that can lead to heat-related
failures.

Room Conditions

All surfaces within the controlled zone of the data center should be maintained at a
high level of cleanliness. All surfaces should be periodically cleaned by trained
professionals on a regular basis, as outlined in the “Cleaning Procedures and

Equipment” section. Particular attention should be paid to the areas beneath the

hardware, and the access floor grid. Contaminants near the air intakes of the
hardware can more easily be transferred to areas where they can do damage.
Particulate accumulations on the access floor grid can be forced airborne when floor
tiles are lifted to gain access to the sub-floor.

Room Conditions

The subfloor void in a downward-flow air conditioning system acts as the supply air
plenum. This area is pressurized by the air conditioners, and the conditioned air is
then introduced into the hardware spaces through perforated floor panels. Thus, all
air traveling from the air conditioners to the hardware must first pass through the
subfloor void. Inappropriate conditions in the supply air plenum can have a dramatic
effect on conditions in the hardware areas.

The subfloor void in a data center is often viewed solely as a convenient place to run
cables and pipes. It is important to remember that this is also a duct, and that
conditions below the false floor must be maintained at a high level of cleanliness.
Contaminant sources can include degrading building materials, operator activity or
infiltration from outside the controlled zone. Often particulate deposits are formed
where cables or other subfloor items form air dams that allow particulate to settle
and accumulate. When these items are moved, the particulate is re-introduced into
the supply airstream, where it can be carried directly to hardware.

Damaged or inappropriately protected building materials are often sources of
subfloor contamination. Unprotected concrete, masonry block, plaster or gypsum
wall-board will deteriorate over time, shedding fine particulate into the air. Corrosion
on post-filtration air conditioner surfaces or subfloor items can also be a concern. The
subfloor void must be thoroughly and appropriately decontaminated on a regular
basis to address these contaminants. Only vacuums equipped with High Efficiency
Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration should be used in any decontamination procedure.
Inadequately filtered vacuums will not arrest fine particles, passing them through the
unit at high speeds, and forcing them airborne.

December 2012 Controlling Contaminants 93

Exposure Points

Unsealed concrete, masonry or other similar materials are subject to continued
degradation. The sealants and hardeners normally used during construction are often
designed to protect the deck against heavy traffic, or to prepare the deck for the
application of flooring materials, and are not meant for the interior surfaces of a
supply air plenum. While regular decontaminations will help address loose
particulate, the surfaces will still be subject to deterioration over time, or as subfloor
activity causes wear. Ideally all of the subfloor surfaces will be appropriately sealed
at the time of construction. If this is not the case, special precautions will be necessary
to address the surfaces in an on-line room.

It is extremely important that only appropriate materials and methodology are used
in the encapsulation process. Inappropriate sealants or procedures can actually
degrade the conditions they are meant to improve, impacting hardware operations
and reliability. The following precautions should be taken when encapsulating the
supply air plenum in an on-line room:

• Manually apply the encapsulant. Spray applications are totally inappropriate in an
on-line data center. The spraying process forces the sealant airborne in the supply
airstream, and is more likely to encapsulate cables to the deck.

• Use a pigmented encapsulant. The pigmentation makes the encapsulant visible in
application, ensuring thorough coverage, and helps in identifying areas that are
damaged or exposed over time.

• It must have a high flexibility and low porosity to effectively cover the irregular
textures of the subject area, and to minimize moisture migration and water
damage.

• The encapsulant must not out-gas any harmful contaminants. Many encapsulants
commonly used in industry are highly ammoniated or contain other chemicals
that can be harmful to hardware. It is very unlikely that this out-gassing could
cause immediate, catastrophic failure, but these chemicals will often contribute to
corrosion of contacts, heads or other components.

Effectively encapsulating a subfloor deck in an on-line computer room is a very
sensitive and difficult task, but it can be conducted safely if appropriate procedures
and materials are used. Avoid using the ceiling void as an open supply or return for
the building air system. This area is typically very dirty and difficult to clean. Often
the structural surfaces are coated with fibrous fire-proofing, and the ceiling tiles and
insulation are also subject to shedding. Even before filtration, this is an unnecessary
exposure that can adversely affect environmental conditions in the room. It is also
important that the ceiling void does not become pressurized, as this will force dirty
air into the computer room. Columns or cable chases with penetrations in both the
subfloor and ceiling void can lead to ceiling void pressurization.

Exposure Points

All potential exposure points in the data center should be addressed to minimize
potential influences from outside the controlled zone. Positive pressurization of the
computer rooms will help limit contaminant infiltration, but it is also important to
minimize any breaches in the room perimeter. To ensure the environment is
maintained correctly, the following should be considered:

• All doors should fit snugly in their frames.

• Gaskets and sweeps can be used to address any gaps.

94 T9840 URM December 2012

Filtration

Filtration

• Automatic doors should be avoided in areas where they can be accidentally
triggered. An alternate means of control would be to remotely locate a door
trigger so that personnel pushing carts can open the doors easily. In highly
sensitive areas, or where the data center is exposed to undesirable conditions, it
may be advisable to design and install personnel traps. Double sets of doors with
a buffer between can help limit direct exposure to outside conditions.

• Seal all penetrations between the data center and adjacent areas.

• Avoid sharing a computer room ceiling or subfloor plenum with loosely
controlled adjacent areas.

Filtration is an effective means of addressing airborne particulate in a controlled
environment. It is important that all air handlers serving the data center are
adequately filtered to ensure appropriate conditions are maintained within the room.
In-room process cooling is the recommended method of controlling the room
environment. The in-room process coolers re-circulate room air. Air from the
hardware areas is passed through the units where it is filtered and cooled, and then
introduced into the subfloor plenum. The plenum is pressurized, and the conditioned
air is forced into the room, through perforated tiles, which then travels back to the air
conditioner for reconditioning. The airflow patterns and design associated with a
typical computer room air handler have a much higher rate of air change than typical
comfort cooling air conditioners so air is filtered much more often than in an office
environment. Proper filtration can capture a great deal of particulates. The filters
installed in the in-room, re-circulating air conditioners should have a minimum
efficiency of 40% (Atmospheric Dust-Spot Efficiency, ASHRAE Standard 52.1). Low­grade pre-filters should be installed to help prolong the life of the more expensive
primary filters.

Any air being introduced into the computer room controlled zone, for ventilation or
positive pressurization, should first pass through high efficiency filtration. Ideally, air
from sources outside the building should be filtered using High Efficiency Particulate
Air (HEPA) filtration rated at 99.97% efficiency (DOP Efficiency MILSTD-282) or
greater. The expensive high efficiency filters should be protected by multiple layers of
pre-filters that are changed on a more frequent basis. Low-grade pre-filters, 20%
ASHRAE atmospheric dust-spot efficiency, should be the primary line of defense. The
next filter bank should consist of pleated or bag type filters with efficiencies between
60% and 80% ASHRAE atmospheric dust-spot efficiency.

ASHRAE 52-76

Dust spot efficiency %

3.0 micron 1.0 micron 0.3 micron

Fractional Efficiencies %

25-30 80 20 <5

60-65 93 50 20

80-85 99 90 50

90 >99 92 60

DOP 95 -- >99 95

December 2012 Controlling Contaminants 95

Positive Pressurization and Ventilation

Low efficiency filters are almost totally ineffective at removing sub-micron
particulates from the air. It is also important that the filters used are properly sized
for the air handlers. Gaps around the filter panels can allow air to bypass the filter as
it passes through the air conditioner. Any gaps or openings should be filled using
appropriate materials, such as stainless steel panels or custom filter assemblies.

Positive Pressurization and Ventilation

A designed introduction of air from outside the computer room system will be
necessary to accommodate positive pressurization and ventilation requirements. The
data center should be designed to achieve positive pressurization in relation to more
loosely controlled surrounding areas. Positive pressurization of the more sensitive
areas is an effective means of controlling contaminant infiltration through any minor
breaches in the room perimeter. Positive pressure systems are designed to apply
outward air forces to doorways and other access points within the data processing
center to minimize contaminant infiltration of the computer room. Only a minimal
amount of air should be introduced into the controlled environment. In data centers
with multiple rooms, the most sensitive areas should be the most highly pressurized.
It is, however, extremely important that the air being used to positively pressurize
the room does not adversely affect the environmental conditions in the room. It is
essential that any air introduction from outside the computer room is adequately
filtered and conditioned to ensure that it is within acceptable parameters. These
parameters can be looser than the goal conditions for the room since the air
introduction should be minimal. A precise determination of acceptable limits should
be based on the amount of air being introduced and the potential impact on the
environment of the data center.

Because a closed-loop, re-circulating air conditioning system is used in most data
centers, it will be necessary to introduce a minimal amount of air to meet the
ventilation requirements of the room occupants. Data center areas normally have a
very low human population density; thus the air required for ventilation will be
minimal. In most cases, the air needed to achieve positive pressurization will likely
exceed that needed to accommodate the room occupants. Normally, outside air
quantities of less than 5% make-up air should be sufficient (ASHRAE Handbook:
Applications, Chapter 17). A volume of 15 CFM outside air per occupant or
workstation should sufficiently accommodate the ventilation needs of the room.

Cleaning Procedures and Equipment

Even a perfectly designed data center requires continued maintenance. Data centers
containing design flaws or compromises may require extensive efforts to maintain
conditions within desired limits. Hardware performance is an important factor
contributing to the need for a high level of cleanliness in the data center.

Operator awareness is another consideration. Maintaining a fairly high level of
cleanliness will raise the level of occupant awareness with respect to special
requirements and restrictions while in the data center. Occupants or visitors to the
data center will hold the controlled environment in high regard and are more likely
to act appropriately. Any environment that is maintained to a fairly high level of
cleanliness and is kept in a neat and well organized fashion will also command
respect from the room’s inhabitants and visitors. When potential clients visit the
room they will interpret the overall appearance of the room as a reflection of an

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Daily Tasks

Cleaning Procedures and Equipment

overall commitment to excellence and quality. An effective cleaning schedule must
consist of specially designed short-term and long-term actions. These can be
summarized as follows:

Frequency Task

Daily Actions Rubbish removal

Weekly Actions Access floor maintenance (vacuum and damp mop)

Quarterly Actions Hardware decontamination

Room surface decontamination

Bi-Annual Actions Subfloor void decontamination

Air conditioner decontamination (as necessary)

This statement of work focuses on the removal of each day’s discarded trash and
rubbish from the room. In addition, daily floor vacuuming may be required in Print
Rooms or rooms with a considerable amount of operator activity.

Weekly Tasks

This statement of work focuses on the maintenance of the access floor system. During
the week, the access floor becomes soiled with dust accumulations and blemishes.
The entire access floor should be vacuumed and damp mopped. All vacuums used in
the data center, for any purpose, should be equipped with High Efficiency Particulate
Air (HEPA) filtration. Inadequately filtered equipment cannot arrest smaller particles,
but rather simply agitates them, degrading the environment they were meant to
improve. It is also important that mop-heads and dust wipes are of appropriate non­shedding designs.

Cleaning solutions used within the data center must not pose a threat to the
hardware. Solutions that could potentially damage hardware include products that
are:

• Ammoniated

• Chlorine-based

• Phosphate-based

• Bleach enriched

• Petro-chemical based

• Floor strippers or re-conditioners

It is also important that the recommended concentrations are used, as even an
appropriate agent in an inappropriate concentration can be potentially damaging.
The solution should be maintained in good condition throughout the project, and
excessive applications should be avoided.

December 2012 Controlling Contaminants 97

Cleaning Procedures and Equipment

Quarterly Tasks

The quarterly statement of work involves a much more detailed and comprehensive
decontamination schedule and should only be conducted by experienced computer
room contamination-control professionals. These actions should be performed three
to four times per year, based on the levels of activity and contamination present. All
room surfaces should be thoroughly decontaminated including cupboards, ledges,
racks, shelves and support equipment. High ledges and light fixtures and generally
accessible areas should be treated or vacuumed as appropriate. Vertical surfaces
including windows, glass partitions, doors, etc. should be thoroughly treated. Special
dust cloths that are impregnated with a particle absorbent material are to be used in
the surface decontamination process. Do not use generic dust rags or fabric cloths to
perform these activities. Do not use any chemicals, waxes or solvents during these
activities.

Settled contamination should be removed from all exterior hardware surfaces
including horizontal and vertical surfaces. The unit’s air inlet and outlet grilles
should be treated as well. Do not wipe the unit’s control surfaces as these areas can
be decontaminated by the use of lightly compressed air. Special care should also be
taken when cleaning keyboards and life-safety controls. Specially treated dust wipes
should be used to treat all hardware surfaces. Monitors should be treated with optical
cleansers and static-free cloths. No Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) dissipative
chemicals should be used on the computer hardware, since these agents are caustic
and harmful to most sensitive hardware. The computer hardware is sufficiently
designed to permit electrostatic dissipation thus no further treatments are required.
After all of the hardware and room surfaces have been thoroughly decontaminated,
the access floor should be HEPA vacuumed and damp mopped as detailed in the
Weekly Actions.

Biennial Tasks

The subfloor void should be decontaminated every 18 months to 24 months based on
the conditions of the plenum surfaces and the degree of contaminant accumulation.
Over the course of the year, the subfloor void undergoes a considerable amount of
activity that creates new contamination accumulations. Although the weekly above
floor cleaning activities will greatly reduce the subfloor dust accumulations, a certain
amount of surface dirt will migrate into the subfloor void. It is important to maintain
the subfloor to a high degree of cleanliness since this area acts as the hardware’s
supply air plenum. It is best to perform the subfloor decontamination treatment in a
short time frame to reduce cross contamination. The personnel performing this
operation should be fully trained to assess cable connectivity and priority. Each
exposed area of the subfloor void should be individually inspected and assessed for
possible cable handling and movement. All twist-in and plug-in connections should
be checked and fully engaged before cable movement. All subfloor activities must be
conducted with proper consideration for air distribution and floor loading. In an
effort to maintain access floor integrity and proper psychrometric conditions, the
number of floor tiles removed from the floor system should be carefully managed. In
most cases, each work crew should have no more than 24 square feet (six tiles) of
open access flooring at any one time. The access floor’s supporting grid system
should also be thoroughly decontaminated, first by vacuuming the loose debris and
then by damp-sponging the accumulated residue. Rubber gaskets, if present, as the
metal framework that makes up the grid system should be removed from the grid

98 T9840 URM December 2012

work and cleaned with a damp sponge as well. Any unusual conditions, such as
damaged floor suspension, floor tiles, cables and surfaces, within the floor void
should be noted and reported.

Activity and Processes

Isolation of the data center is an integral factor in maintaining appropriate
conditions. All unnecessary activity should be avoided in the data center, and access
should be limited to necessary personnel only. Periodic activity, such as tours, should
be limited, and traffic should be restricted to away from the hardware so as to avoid
accidental contact. All personnel working in the room, including temporary
employees and janitorial personnel, should be trained in the most basic sensitivities
of the hardware so as to avoid unnecessary exposure. The controlled areas of the data
center should be thoroughly isolated from contaminant producing activities. Ideally,
print rooms, check sorting rooms, command centers or other areas with high levels of
mechanical or human activity should have no direct exposure to the data center.
Paths to and from these areas should not necessitate traffic through the main data
center areas.

Activity and Processes

December 2012 Controlling Contaminants 99

Activity and Processes

100 T9840 URM December 2012