Quantum XTALK MANAGEMENT CONSOLE User Manual
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81-81610-04 A01
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide, 81-81610-04 Revision A01, September 2007, Made in U.S.A.
Quantum Corporation provides this publication “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Quantum
Corporation may revise this publication from time to time without notice.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
Copyright 2007 by Quantum Corporation All rights reserved.
Your right to copy this manual is limited by copyright law. Making copies or adaptations without prior written
authorization of Quantum Corporation is prohibited by law and constitutes a punishable violation of the law.
TRADEMARK STATEMENT
Quantum, the Quantum logo, DLT, and DLTtape, and the DLTtape logo are registered trademarks of Quantum
Corporation in the U.S.A. and other countries. The DLT logo, GoVault, and DLTSage are trademarks of Quantum
Corporation. LTO and Ultrium are trademarks of HP, IBM and Quantum in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
Contents
Preface viii
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window 1
Layout of the Main Window ............................................................................1
Menu .................................................................................................................... 3
Toolbar................................................................................................................. 3
Device Selection Panel.......................................................................................6
Displayed Information............................................................................... 6
Selecting a Non-Supported Device .......................................................... 7
When No Devices Are Detected ...............................................................7
When Connected Devices Don’t Display ................................................ 7
Script Selection Panel ........................................................................................ 8
Differences Between Scripts and Commands......................................... 8
Script Description Panel.................................................................................... 9
Results Panel.......................................................................................................9
Status Bar............................................................................................................. 9
Show/Hide Status Bar ............................................................................. 10
Exiting xTalk Management Console ............................................................. 11
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide iii
Contents
Chapter 2 Using the Results Panel 12
Displayed Information .................................................................................... 13
Using Verbose Mode .......................................................................................13
Saving the Contents of the Results Panel ..................................................... 14
Sending the Contents of the Results Panel...................................................15
Clearing the Contents of the Results Panel..................................................15
Searching the Results Panel............................................................................16
Adding Comments to the Results Panel....................................................... 17
Copying Information from the Results Panel.............................................. 18
Chapter 3 Shortcuts 19
Keyboard Shortcuts .........................................................................................19
Right-click Shortcuts........................................................................................20
Double-click Shortcuts .................................................................................... 21
Chapter 4 Setting Preferences 22
General Setup ................................................................................................... 24
Generate Log File......................................................................................24
Show Splash............................................................................................... 24
Show Startup Caution.............................................................................. 25
Configure Update Wizard – Update Check................................................. 26
Folders ............................................................................................................... 26
Change Color of Items..................................................................................... 27
Return to Default Settings............................................................................... 27
Chapter 5 Getting Updates 28
Updating xTalk Management Console......................................................... 28
Updating Device Firmware............................................................................ 29
Error Messages.......................................................................................... 31
Chapter 6 Running a Test or Task 32
Checking Device Readiness............................................................................ 32
Running a Test or Task.................................................................................... 34
Aborting a Test or Task................................................................................... 35
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide iv
Contents
Chapter 7 Log Files 36
Generating and Saving Log Files................................................................... 37
Viewing Log Files ............................................................................................ 37
Sending a Log File to a Recipient...................................................................38
Chapter 8 Viewing Media Data 39
Viewing Media Compatibility ....................................................................... 39
Viewing Medium Auxiliary Memory (MAM)............................................. 42
Chapter 9 Viewing TapeAlerts 43
Chapter 10 FA Data Files 47
Generating an FA Data File ............................................................................ 47
Sending an FA Data File to a Recipient ........................................................ 50
Sending Immediately After Generating ................................................ 50
Sending Any Time .................................................................................... 51
Chapter 11 General Device Commands 52
Compression Status – Viewing ......................................................................53
GENERATE EEPROM BUFFER .................................................................... 54
GENERATE TRACE BUFFER........................................................................ 54
INQUIRY INFORMATION ........................................................................... 55
Removable Storage Settings ........................................................................... 56
RESCAN............................................................................................................ 56
RETENSION ..................................................................................................... 57
Chapter 12 Using Push Pins 58
Enabling the Push Pin and Attaching the Dialog Box................................ 59
Disabling the Push Pin and Closing the Dialog Box................................... 59
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide v
Contents
Chapter 13 Getting Help 60
Access the Users Guide................................................................................... 60
Use the Help Menu..........................................................................................61
Appendix A Specifications 62
Minimum PC Requirements........................................................................... 62
Supported Operating Systems ....................................................................... 63
Supported Interfaces........................................................................................ 63
Supported Host Bus Adapters ....................................................................... 63
Supported Devices........................................................................................... 64
Glossary 65
Index 67
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide vi
Figures
Figure 1 Main Window ...............................................................................2
Figure 2 Preferences Dialog Box.............................................................. 23
Figure 3 Splash Screen............................................................................... 25
Figure 4 Caution Screen............................................................................ 26
Figure 5 Firmware Update Warning....................................................... 30
Figure 6 GoVault System Reboot Message ............................................ 30
Figure 7 Media Compatibility Tool Main Page ..................................... 40
Figure 8 Media Compatibility Tool Device Page .................................. 41
Figure 9 TapeAlert Dialog Box ................................................................ 44
Figure 10 Viewing a Warning TapeAlert .................................................45
Figure 11 FA Data Collection Successful.................................................. 49
Figure 12 Sending FA Data To a Recipient ..............................................50
Figure 13 Disabled Push Pin ...................................................................... 59
Figure 14 Enabled Push Pin........................................................................ 59
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide vii
Preface
xTalk Management Console is a software application designed to allow
customers to evaluate tape device health and determine when a device
needs to be sent for service or repair.
xTalk Management Console provides media and device diagnostic tools,
the ability to view general analysis information, and the ability to quickly
update application software and device firmware.
You can download the latest version of this application from the
Quantum Web site at:
http://www.quantum.com/ServiceandSupport/SoftwareandDocument
ationDownloads/Index.aspx.
Audience
Purpose
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide viii
This manual is written for users of xTalk Management Console.
This document provides information about how to use the features of
xTalk Management Console including:
• Understanding and using the program
• Customizing the program
•Getting updates
• How to get help when problems arise
Preface
Document Organization
This document is organized as follows:
• Chapter 1,
Environment and Main Window, provides an overview of
xTalk Management console. It describes the layout of the main
window, including selection and results panels, menu commands,
and toolbar buttons.
• Chapter 2,
Using the Results Panel, describes the functions and
features of the Results Panel, which displays results of actions
performed.
• Chapter 3,
Shortcuts, describes the keyboard and right-click shortcuts
available to you.
• Chapter 4,
Setting Preferences, explains how to customize views and
automated information.
• Chapter 5,
Getting Updates, explains how to update xTalk
Management Console software, and to update device firmware,
including how to make a firmware update tape.
• Chapter 6,
Running a Test or Task, explains how to determine if a
device is ready to be tested, how to run a test or task, and how to
abort a test or task.
• Chapter 7,
Log Files, explains how to create log files and open log
files. It also explains how to enable or disable automatic log file
creation.
• Chapter 8,
Viewing Media Data, explains how to view information
stored on the tape.
• Chapter 9,
Viewing TapeAlerts, provides information about
TapeAlert flags and how to view them.
• Chapter 10,
FA Data Files, explains how to generate and view failure
analysis (FA) data files.
• Chapter 11,
General Device Commands, details commands that are
not covered in other chapters.
• Chapter 12,
Using Push Pins, provides instructions on how to keep
dialog boxes open by enabling and disabling “push pins.”
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide ix
Preface
• Chapter 13, Getting Help, lists the kinds of help you can access and
how to get it.
Notational Conventions
Related Documents
Contacts
• Appendix A,
Specifications, lists the minimum PC requirements
needed to run xTalk Management Console, as well as supported
operating systems, host bus adapters, and devices.
This document concludes with a glossary and a detailed index.
This manual uses the following conventions:
Note: Notes emphasize important information related to the main
topic.
Caution: Cautions indicate potential hazards to equipment and are
included to prevent damage to equipment.
Refer to the appropriate product manuals for information about your
hard disk drive, tape drive, or cartridges.
Quantum company contacts are listed below.
Quantum Corporate Headquarters
To order documentation on xTalk Management Console or other
products contact:
Quantum Corporation
141 Innovation Drive
Irvine, CA 92617
(949) 856-7800
(800) 284-5101
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide x
0
Preface
Technical Publications 0
To comment on existing documentation send e-mail to:
doc-comments@quantum.com
Quantum Home Page 0
Visit the Quantum home page at:
http://www.quantum.com
Getting More Information or
Help
More information about this product is available on the Service and
Support Web site at
http://www.quantum.com/ServiceandSupport/Index.aspx
. The Service
and Support Web site contains a collection of information, including
answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). You can also access
software, firmware, and drivers through this site.
For further assistance, or if training is desired, contact:
Quantum Technical Assistance Center in the USA: 800-284-5101
For additional contact information, go to:
http://www.quantum.com/AboutUs/ContactUs/Index.aspx
.
To open a Service Request, go to:
http://www.quantum.com/ServiceandSupport/eSupport/Index.aspx
.
For the most updated information on Quantum Global Services, please
visit:
http://www.quantum.com/ServiceandSupport/Contacts/Worldwide/I
ndex.aspx.
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide xi
Preface
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide xii
Chapter 1
1Environment and Main Window
When you start xTalk Management Console, it displays the main
window. This chapter describes the following features and functions of
the xTalk Management Console environment and main window:
• Layout of the Main Window
• Menu
• Toolbar
• Device Selection Panel
• Script Selection Panel
• Script Description Panel
• Results Panel
• Status Bar
• Exiting xTalk Management Console
Layout of the Main Window 1
Figure 1 shows the layout of the main window.
You can change the size of the panels by placing your cursor over a
border, or “splitter bar.” When the cursor changes to a set of parallel
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 1
Figure 1 Main Window
Menu
Device
Selection
Panel
Too lba r
Results
Panel
Status Bar
Script
Selection
Panel
Script
Description
Panel
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Layout of the Main Window
lines, you can click and drag the border to where you want it. When you
exit xTalk Management Console and reopen, your border settings are
saved.
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 2
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Menu
Menu 1
Across the top of the main window is a menu containing tasks and
commands, all of which are explained in detail in this document. For
more information about a specific command, use the Contents
locate where in this document a command is described in detail.
or Index to
Too lba r 1
The toolbar is a line of buttons immediately under the menu. The buttons
on the toolbar allow you to perform standard tasks or commands. Click
on a device in the Device Selection Panel and then click a toolbar button.
To view the full name of a button, place your cursor directly over the
button. The name appears directly below the button.
To view a description of what the button does, place your cursor over a
button and read the description in the Status Bar (see Status Bar
page 9).
For more information on using these commands, use the Contents
Index
to find where a specific command is described in detail.
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 3
on
or
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Toolbar
The toolbar button icons are shown below, in order of appearance on the
toolbar.
Note: Not all buttons are available for all device types.
Toolbar Button
Icon
Button Name and
Description
Save. Saves the contents
of the Results Panel to a
file.
Rescan Bus. Rescans the
SCSI bus and displays a
list of devices found in
the Device Selection
Panel.
Inquiry Information.
Displays a dialog box
containing information
about the selected
device.
Test Unit Ready. Queries
the device to determine if
it is ready to run a test or
task and displays the
result in a dialog box.
For More
Information see...
Saving the Contents
of the Results Panel
on page 14
RE
SCAN on page 56
INQUIRY
INFORMATION on
page 55
Checking Device
Readiness on
page 32
Show MAM Information.
View the information
stored in the medium
Viewing Medium
Auxiliary Memory
(MAM) on page 42
auxiliary memory.
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 4
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Toolbar
Toolbar Button
Icon
Button Name and
Description
Collect Failure Analysis
Data. Saves failure
analysis data to a file that
can be used by support
personnel for
troubleshooting.
Generate EEPROM
Buffer. Collects drive
information from the
EEPROM and saves it to
a file.
Generate Trace Buffer.
Collects drive status
information from the
trace buffer and saves it
to a file.
Abort. Stops the
currently running test or
task at the earliest
opportunity.
For More
Information see...
Generating an FA
Data File on page 47
GENERATE
EEPROM BUFFER on
page 54
GENERATE TRACE
BUFFER on page 54
Aborting a Test or
Task on page 35
Run. Starts and runs the
selected test or task on
Running a Test or
Task on page 34
the selected device.
Clear. Clears all data
from the Results Panel.
Clearing the Contents
of the Results Panel
on page 15
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 5
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Toolbar
Toolbar Button
Icon
Button Name and
Description
Firmware Update.
Transfers a new
firmware image file to
the device.
Write FUP Tape. Creates
a firmware update tape.
Create DLTSage WORM
Tape. Creates a writeonce read-many tape for
certain DLT devices and
media combinations.
Retension. Forwards the
tape to EOM, then
rewinds to BOM.
For More
Information see...
Updating Device
Firmware on page 29
Creating a Firmware
Update (FUP) Tape
on page 33
CREATE DLTSAGE
WORM TAPE on
page 57
RETENSION on
page 57
Park. Parks the drive
PARK on page 61
arm.
Unpark. Unparks the
UNPARK
on page 63
drive arm.
Help. Opens the online
User’s Guide.
Access the Users
Guide on page 60
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 6
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Device Selection Panel
Device Selection Panel 1
The Device Selection Panel displays a list of SCSI devices connected to
your computer, as detected by xTalk Management Console when it scans
the bus.
From this panel you can select a device on which to view information or
run a test, task, or command.
Note: You may only select one device at a time.
Displayed Information 1 The Device Selection Panel displays the model, serial number, product
revision, and vendor of all devices in four columns. Use the horizontal
scroll bar at the bottom of the Device Selection Panel to view all the
columns. You can change the size of the columns by clicking and
dragging the vertical column dividers.
For more specific information about an individual device, place your
mouse over a device and a box will briefly appear displaying the
following information: model, vendor, serial number, revision, HBA ID,
SCSI ID, and LUN ID.
In addition, the status bar lists the HBA ID, SCSI ID, LUN ID, model, and
serial number for the selected device (see Status Bar
Selecting a Non-Supported Device
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 7
xTalk Management Console does not support all device types. If you
select a non-supported device, xTalk Management Console displays this
1
message:
xTalk does not support this device. Please refer to the xTalk help file
for a list of all the supported devices.
For a list of supported devices, see Supported Devices
on page 9).
on page 70.
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Script Selection Panel
When No Devices Are Detected
When Connected Devices Don’t Display
If no devices are detected by the bus scan, the following message is
displayed:
1
No devices have been detected. Please inspect your system’s cables
and device terminators. Also, be sure you have installed the latest
device driver for your tape product. If you feel you received this
message by error try re-scanning the SCSI bus. You may need to close
and restart the application.
Click
OK and follow the instructions in the message.
If you have properly connected a device to the bus and it does not display
in the Device Selection Panel, try re-scanning the bus (see RE
1
page 56). Sometimes it takes the operating system a little longer to
recognize a new device, causing the bus scan not to see the device. You
may need to rescan the bus several times, or you may need to close and
restart xTalk Management Console.
SCAN on
Script Selection Panel 1
The Script Selection Panel displays a list of tests and tasks (scripts) that
you can run on a selected device. The scripts are listed functionally as
follows:
Full Diagnostics – A long test, or series of tests, that takes more than a
•
few minutes to complete (for example, Device_Health_Check). Full
diagnostics are used to determine any problems that a device may be
having.
•
Individual Tests – A series of operations strung together to accomplish
a specific function. The Full Diagnostics script,
Device_Health_Check, is composed of individual tests that can be
run separately to find specific issues without running the full health
check.
•
Device Tasks – Short, usually one-step operations. These are not tests,
but are used to engage or view the characteristics of a device.
The list of available tests/tasks changes depending on the device
selected.
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 8
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Script Description Panel
Once you select a device and a test or task, you are ready to run the test or
task (see chapter 6,
Caution: The scripts displayed in the Script Selection Panel for your
Running a Test or Task).
use are
these
way, you will not be able to run that script again. To
restore functionality of that script, you will be required to
reinstall the xTalk Management Console executable.
.xcs files stored in the Scripts folder. Do not change
.xcs files! If you alter one of these .xcs files in any
Differences Between Scripts and Commands
Some commands available through the menu and toolbar buttons
perform the same function as scripts in the Script Selection Panel. You can
1
use either method; however, using the menu commands or toolbar
buttons generally provides more information and help in dialog boxes,
whereas the script usually displays more information in the Results
Panel.
Script Description Panel 1
The Script Description Panel is directly below the Script Selection Panel.
When you click on a test or task, a description of what that script does
displays in the Script Description Panel.
Results Panel 1
The right-most vertical panel is the Results Panel, which displays
information about the command, test, or task you are running. You can
search, comment on, and save the contents of this panel (see chapter 2,
Using the Results Panel).
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 9
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Status Bar
Status Bar 1
The Status Bar runs along the bottom of the window and displays
information about xTalk Management Console and the selected device as
follows, in this order along the bar:
Section Description of Displayed Information
xTalk status
information
Host ID Host bus adapter identifier. Not available for all
Target ID/
Tape ID
LUN ID Logical Unit Number of the selected device. Not
Primary
Secondary
Channel
Device label The type of device selected for testing.
Device serial
number
Current status of xTalk Management Console
(usually displays “Ready,” meaning it is ready to
perform a command or run a script). Also provides
a description of menu commands and toolbar
buttons when you place the cursor over the item.
When you run a test or task and generate a log file,
the status bar displays the path of the log file (see
Generating and Saving Log Files
interface types.
SCSI ID: SCSI ID of the selected device.
Tape ID: Tape number of the selected device.
available for all interface types.
GoVault designations that provide information
similar to Target ID/Tape ID and LUN ID.
Serial number of the selected device.
on page 37).
Application
state
Iteration
Counter
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 10
The current status of the test, task, or command
that you are running (for example, Idle or
Running).
The progress of the current operation; for example,
if writing to tape, this shows the number of blocks
written and the total number of blocks to be
written in the current operation (40/250).
Chapter 1 Environment and Main Window
Exiting xTalk Management Console
Show/Hide Status Bar 1 You can decide whether or not you want the Status Bar to appear in the
main window. To show or hide the Status Bar:
1 From the menu bar, select
View.
Note: If the status bar is showing, the option is checked. If
hidden, the option is unchecked.
2 Click
Status Bar.
As soon as you click the selection, its status changes; for example, if
the window currently displays the Status Bar, when you click
Bar
, the Status Bar immediately disappears from the window.
Status
Exiting xTalk Management Console 1
To exit xTalk Management Console, do one of the following:
• Choose
•Click the
Console window.
File > Exit, from the menu.
X in the upper right corner of the xTalk Management
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 11
Chapter 2
2Using the Results Panel
The Results Panel displays results of the command, test, or task you are
running, including error messages.
This chapter discusses the things you can view and do with the
information displayed in the information panel as follows:
• Displayed Information
• Using Verbose Mode
• Saving the Contents of the Results Panel
• Sending the Contents of the Results Panel
• Clearing the Contents of the Results Panel
• Searching the Results Panel
• Adding Comments to the Results Panel
• Copying Information from the Results Panel
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 12
Chapter 2 Using the Results Panel
Displayed Information
Displayed Information 2
The information about each script you run is displayed consecutively in
the Results Panel, until you clear the contents (see Clearing the Contents
of the Results Panel on page 15) or exit xTalk Management Console (see
Exiting xTalk Management Console
The information in the Results Panel is displayed in several colors. You
can change some of these colors using the Preferences dialog box (see
Change Color of Items
Item Color
Comment Green
Background White
on page 27).
on page 11).
Using Verbose Mode 2
Verbose Mode is a feature that allows you to view all the information on
every command: what is sent to and from the device, the command
status, and all the information it returns. This information is displayed in
the Results Panel and it is the same information that is sent to the log file
if you enable automatic log file generation (see Generating and Saving
Log Files on page 37).
This amount of information can be useful for diagnostic purposes;
however, you may not want to see all this information all the time, so you
can decide at any time to enable or disable Verbose Mode by toggling
between Verbose Mode and Standard Mode.
To enable/disable Verbose Mode, press <
appears telling you whether Verbose Mode is enabled or disabled.
The default setting for Verbose Mode is disabled. If you shut off xTalk
Management Console, the system reverts to disabled the next time you
log on, and you must press <
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 13
Ctrl+Alt+V> again to enable it.
Ctrl+Alt+V>. A dialog box
Chapter 2 Using the Results Panel
Saving the Contents of the Results Panel
Saving the Contents of the Results Panel 2
You can save the entire contents of the Results Panel to a .txt file any time
the status bar shows the system is Idle.
Saving data to a new text file
To save the contents of the Results Panel to a new text file:
1 Do one of the following:
• Choose
File > Save As from the menu.
• If you have not saved the contents of the Results Panel yet, click
the
Save button on the toolbar.
The
Save xTalk Log File dialog box opens.
2 Browse to and select the location where you want to save the file;
name the file; and click
Save.
The information is saved to the file in the location you specify.
Notice that the location and filename now appear in the xTalk
Management Console Windows title bar. This file is now considered
active and the only way to make it non-active is to exit xTalk
Management Console or
Save As to a new file.
If you change the contents of the Results Panel, you can either:
• Continue to
contents (see Saving data to the active text file
• Save the data to a new file by selecting
Save to this active file, which overwrites the current
, below) or
File > Save As again. This
new file then becomes the active file.
2
Saving data to the active text file
To save data to the currently active text file, do one of the following:
• From the menu bar select
File > Save.
• From the toolbar, click the Save button.
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 14
2
Chapter 2 Using the Results Panel
Sending the Contents of the Results Panel
The most recently created file stays active until you exit xTalk
Management Console.
Note: xTalk Management Console will only
the file is closed. If the file is open, no new changes will be
saved.
Save to an existing file if
Sending the Contents of the Results Panel 2
This option allows you to e-mail the contents of the Results Panel to
someone. You may do this manually any time the status bar shows the
system is Idle.
To send a view:
1 Choose
An e-mail message opens. The contents of the Results Panel are
placed into a
e-mail is “xTalk Management Console Log File.” The e-mail is
addressed to
2 Address and send the e-mail.
File > Send View from the menu bar,.
.txt file and attached to the e-mail. The subject line of the
support@quantum.com.
Clearing the Contents of the Results Panel 2
This option allows you to clear all data from the Results Panel. To clear,
perform one of the following actions:
• Choose
•Click the
xTalk Management Console for Windows User’s Guide 15
Edit > Clear View from the menu
Clear button on the toolbar.
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