Publication number: 100538693, Rev. E September 2010
Seagate, Seagate Technology and the Wave logo are registered trademarks of Seagate Technology
LLC in the United States and/or other countries. Constellation and SeaTools are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Seagate Technology LLC or one of its affiliated companies in the United States
and/or other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respec
tive owners.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Seagate
Technology LLC.
One gigabyte, or GB, equals one billion bytes and one terabyte, or TB, equals one trillion bytes. Your
computer's operating system may use a different stand ard of mea surement a nd report a lowe r cap acity.
In addition, some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions, and thus will not be
available for data storage. Seagate reserves the right to change, without notice, product offerings or
specifications.
For information regarding products and services, visit http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/about/contact_us/
Available services include:
Presales & Technical support
Global Support Services telephone numbers & business hours
Authorized Service Centers
For information regarding Warranty Support, visit
http://www.sea
For information regarding Data Recovery Services, visit http://www.i365.com
For Seagate OEM & Distribution partner portal, visit https://direct.seagate.com/portal/system
For Seagate reseller portal, visit http://spp.seagate.com
This manual describes Seagate Technology® LLC, Constellation® SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) disc drives.
Constellation drives support the SAS Protocol specifications to the extent described in this manual. The SAS
Interface Manual (part number 100293071) describes the general SAS characteristics of this and other Seagate SAS drives. The Self-Encrypting Drive Reference Manual, part number 100515636, describes the interface, general operation, and security features available on Self-Encrypting Drive models.
Note.Previous generations of Seagate Self-Encrypting Drive models were called Full Disk Encryption
(FDE) models before a differentiation between drive-based encryption and other forms of encryp
tion was necessary.
Product data communicated in this manual is specific only to the model numbers listed in this ma nual. The dat a
listed in this manual may not be predictive of future generation specifications or requirements. If you are
designing a system which will use one of the models listed or future generation products and need further
assistance, please contact your Field Applications Engineer (FAE) or our global support services group as
shown in Section 1.0.
Unless otherwise stated, the information in this manual applies to standard and Self-Encrypting Drive models.
Model NumberSelf-Encrypting Drive (SED)FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified
ST9500430SSNoNo
ST9500431SSYesNo
-
ST9500432SSYesYes
For more information on FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certification see Section 8.0 on page 35.
2Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
3.0Applicable standards and reference documentation
The drives documented in this manual have been developed as system peripherals to the highest standards of
design and construction. The drives depends on host equipment to provide adequate power and environment
for optimum performance and compliance with applicable industry and governmental regulations. Special
attention must be given in the areas o f safety, power distribution, shielding, audible noise control, and temperature regulation. In particular, the drive must be securely mounted to guarantee the specified performance
characteristics. Mounting by bottom holes must meet the requirements of Section 11.3.
3.1Standards
The Constellation family complies with Seagate standards as noted in the appropriate sections of this manual
and the Seagate SAS Interface Manual, part number 100293071.
The drives are recognized in accordance with UL 60950-1 as tested by UL, CSA 60950-1 as tested by CSA,
and EN60950-1 as tested by TUV.
The security features of Self-Encrypting Drive models are based on the “TCG Storage Architecture Core Specification” and the “TCG Storage Workgroup Security Subsystem Class: Enterprise_A” specification with additional vendor-unique features as noted in this product manual.
3.1.1Electromagnetic compatibility
The drive, as delivered, is designed for system integration and installation into a suitable enclosure prior to
use. The drive is supplied as a subasse mbly and is not s ubject to Subpart B o f Part 15 of the F CC Rules and
Regulations nor the Radio Interference Reg ula tio ns of the Canadian Department of Communications.
The design characteristics of the drive serve to minimize radiation when installed in an enclosure that provides
reasonable shielding. The drive is capable of meeting the Class B limits of the FCC Rules and Regulations of
the Canadian Department of Communications when properly packaged; however, it is the user’s responsibility
to assure that the drive meets the appropriate EMI requirements in their system. Shielded I/O cables may be
required if the enclosure does not provide adequate shielding. If the I/O cables are external to the enclosure,
shielded cables should be used, with the shields grounded to the enclosure and to the host controller.
3.1.1.1Electromagnetic susceptibility
As a component assembly, the drive is not required to meet any susceptibility performance requirements. It is
the responsibility of those integrating the drive within their systems to perform those tests required and design
their system to ensure that equipment operating in the same system as the drive or external to the system
does not adversely affect the performance of the drive. See Table 2, DC power requirements.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E3
3.1.2Electromagnetic compliance
Seagate uses an independent laboratory to confirm compliance with the directives/standards for CE Marking
and C-Tick Marking. The drive was teste d in a repr esent ative system for typical applications. The selected system represents the most popular characteristics for test platforms. The system configurations include:
• Typical current use microprocessor
• Keyboard
• Monitor/display
• Printer
•Mouse
Although the test system with this Seagate model complies with the directives/standards, we cannot guarantee
that all systems will comply. The computer manufacturer or system integrator shall confirm EMC compliance
and provide the appropriate marking for their product.
Electromagnetic compliance for the European Union
If this model has the CE Marking it complies with the European Union requirements of the Electromagnetic
Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC as put into place on 20 July 2007.
Australian C-Tick
If this model has the C-Tick Marking it complies with the Australia/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ CISPR22 and
meets the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Framework requirements of Australia’s Spectrum Management Agency (SMA).
Korean KCC
If these drives have the Korean Communications Commission (KCC) logo, they comply with paragraph 1 of
Article 11 of the Electromagnetic Compatibility control Regulation and meet the Electromagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) Framework requirements of the Radio Research Laboratory (RRL) Communications Commission,
Republic of Korea.
These drives have been tested and comply with the Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic
Susceptibility (EMI/EMS) for Class B products. Drives are tested in a representative, end-user system by a
Korean-recognized lab.
• Family name:Constellation
• Certificate number: STX-ST9500430SS (B)
Taiwanese BSMI
If this model has two Chinese words meaning “EMC certification” followed by an eight digit identification number, as a Marking, it complies with Chinese National Standard (CNS) 13438 and meets the Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) Framework requirements of the Taiwanese Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection (BSMI).
4Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
3.1.3European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
The European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, restricts the presence of chemical substances, including Lead, Cadmi um, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, PBB and PBDE, in electronic products, effective July 2006. This drive is manufacture d with compone nts and mater ials that comply with the RoHS
Directive.
A number of parts and materials in Seagate products are procured from external suppliers. We rely on the representations of our suppliers regarding the presence of RoHS substances in these parts and materials. Our
supplier contracts require compliance with our che mical substance restrictions, and our suppliers document
their compliance with our requirements by providing material conten t declarations for all p arts and materials for
the disc drives documented in this publication. Current supplier declarations include disclosure of the inclusion
of any RoHS-regulated substance in such parts or materials.
Seagate also has internal systems in place to ensure on going compliance with the RoHS Directive and all laws
and regulations which restrict chemical content in electronic products. These systems include standard operating procedures that ensure that restricted substances are not utilized in our manufacturing operations, laboratory analytical validation testing, and an internal auditing process to ensure that all standard operating
procedures are complied with.
3.2Reference documents
SAS Interface Manual
SCSI Commands Reference Manual
Self-Encrypting Drives Reference Manual
ANSI SAS Documents
ANSI Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) Documents
Trusted Computing Group (TCG) Documents (apply to Self-Encrypting Drive models only)
Specification for Acoustic Test Requirement and Procedures
Seagate part number: 100293071
Seagate part number: 100293068
Seagate part number: 100515636
SFF-82232.5” Drive Form Factor with Serial Connec tor
SFF-8460HSS Backplane Design Guidelines
SFF-8470Multi Lane Copper Connector
SFF-8482SAS Plug Connector
ANSI INCITS.xxx Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) Standard (T10/1562-D)
ISO/IEC 14776-xxxSCSI Architecture Model-3 (SAM-3) Standard (T10/1561-D)
ISO/IEC 14776-xxxSCSI Primary Commands-3 (SPC-3) Standard (T10/1416-D)
ISO/IEC 14776-xxxSCSI Block Commands-2 (SBC-2) Standard (T10/1417-D)
Package Test SpecificationSeagate P/N 30190-001 (under 100 lb.)
Package Test SpecificationSeagate P/N 30191-001 (over 100 lb.)
In case of conflict between this document and any referenced document, this document takes precedence.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E5
4.0General description
Constellation drives provide high performance, high capacity data storage for a variety of systems including
engineering workstations, network servers, mainframes, and supercomputers. The Serial Attached SCSI interface is designed to meet next-generation computing demands for performance, scalability, flexibility and highdensity storage requirements.
Constellation drives are random access storage devices designed to support the Serial Attached SCSI Protocol as described in the ANSI specifications, this document, and the SAS Interface Manual (part number
100293071) which describes the general interface characteristics of this drive. Constellation drives are classified as intelligent peripherals and provide level 2 conformance (highest level) with the ANSI SCSI-1 standard.
The SAS connectors, cables and electrical interface are compatible with Serial A TA (SATA), giving future users
the choice of populating their systems with either SAS or SATA hard disc drives. This allows you to continue to
leverage your existing investment in SCSI while gaining a 6Gb/s serial data transfer rate.
The Self-Encrypting Drive models indicated on the cover of this product manual have provisions for “Security
of Data at Rest” based on the st andards defined by the Trusted Computing Group (see www.trustedcomputinggroup.org).
The head and disc assembly (HDA) is sealed at the factory. Air recirculates within the HDA through a nonreplaceable filter to maintain a contamination-free HDA environment.
Note.Never disassemble the HDA and do not attempt to service items in the sealed enclosure (heads,
media, actuator, etc.) as this requires special facilities. The drive does not contain user-replaceable
parts. Opening the HDA for any reason voids your warranty.
Constellation drives use a dedicated load/unload zone at the outermost radius of the media to eliminate the
possibility of destroying or degrading data by landing in the data zone. The heads automatically go to the ramp
load/unload when power is removed from the drive.
An automatic shipping lock prevents potential damage to the heads and discs that results from movement during shipping and handling. The shipping lock disengages and the head load process begins when power is
applied to the drive.
Constellation drives decode track 0 location data from the servo data embedded on each surface to eliminate
mechanical transducer adjustments and related reliability concerns.
The drives also use a high-performance actuator assembly with a low-inertia, balanced, patented, straight arm
design that provides excellent performance with minimal power dissipation.
6Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
4.1Standard features
Constellation drives have the following standard features:
• Integrated dual port SAS controller supporting the SCSI protocol
• Support for SAS expanders and fanout adapters
• Firmware downloadable using the SAS interface
• 128 - deep task set (queue)
• Supports up to 32 initiators
• Jumperless configuration.
• User-selectable logical block size (512, 520 or 528 byte s per logical block).
• Industry standard SFF 2.5-inch dimensions
• Programmable logical block reallocation scheme
• Flawed logical block reallocation at format time
• Programmable auto write and read reallocation
• Reallocation of defects on command (Post Format)
• ECC maximum burst correction length of 520 bits
• No preventive maintenance or adjustments required
• Embedded servo design
• Automatic shipping lock
• Dedicated head load/unload zone
• Self diagnostics performed when power is applied to the drive
• Zone bit recording (ZBR)
• Vertical, horizontal, or top down mounting
• Dynamic spindle brake
• 16 Mbyte data buffer (see Section 5.5).
• Drive Self Test (DST)
• Background Media Scan (BMS)
• Idle Read After Write (IRAW)
•Power Save
Constellation® SAS Self-Encrypting Drive models have the following additional features:
• Automatic data encryption/decryption
• Controlled access
• Random number generator
• Drive locking
• 16 independent data bands
• Cryptographic erase of user data for a drive that will be repurposed or scrapped
• Authenticated firmware download
4.2Media description
The media used on the drive has a glass substrate coated with a thin film magnetic m aterial, o vercoat ed with a
proprietary protective layer for improved durability and environmental protection.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E7
4.3Performance
• Programmable multi-segmentable cache buffer
• 600 Mbytes/sec maximum instantaneous data transfers.
• 7200 RPM spindle. Average latency = 4.16 msec
• Background processing of queue
• Supports start and stop commands (spindle stops spinning)
Standard OEM models are formatted to 512 bytes per block. The block size is selectable at format time and
must be a multiple of 4 bytes. Users having the necessary equipment may modify the data block size before
issuing a format command and obtain different formatted capacities than those listed.
To provide a stable target capacity environment and at the same time provide users with flexibility if they
choose, Seagate recommends product planning in one of two modes:
1. Seagate designs specify capacity points at certain blo
products will meet. We recommend customers use this capacity in their project planning, as it ensures a
stable operating point with backward and forward compatibility from generation to generation. The current
guaranteed operating points for this product are:
ck sizes that Seagate guarantees current and future
Using the Mode Select command, the drive can change its capacity to something less than maximum. See the
Mode Select (6) parameter list table in the SAS Interface Manual, part number 100293071. A value of zero in
the Number of Blocks field indicates that the drive will not change the capacity it is currently formatted to have.
A number other than zero and less than the maximum number of LBAs in the Number of Blocks field changes
the total drive capacity to the value in the Number of Blocks field. A value greater than the maximum number of
LBAs is rounded down to the maximum capacity.
8Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
4.7Factory-installed options
You may order the following items which are incorporated at the manufacturing facility during production or
packaged before shipping. Some of the options available are (not an exhaustive list of possible options):
• Other capacities can be ordered depending on sparing scheme and sector size requested.
• Single-unit shipping pack. The drive is normally shipped in bulk packaging to provide maximum protection
against transit damage. Units shipped individually require additional protection as p rovided by the sin gle unit
shipping pack. Users planning single unit distribution should specify this option.
•The Safety and Regulatory Agency Specifications, part number 75789512, is usually included with each
standard OEM drive shipped, but extra copies may be ordered.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E9
5.0Performance characteristics
This section provides detailed information concerning perfor mance-related character istics and features of Constellation drives.
5.1Internal drive characteristics
ST9500430SS, ST9500431SS & ST9500432SS
Drive capacity500Gbytes (formatted, rounded off value)
Read/write data heads6
Bytes per track890,823Bytes (average, rounded off values)
Bytes per surface83,370Mbytes (u
Tracks per surface (total)123,148
Tracks (user accessible)
Tracks per inch200,000TPI (average)
Peak bits per inch1,410,000BPI
Areal density283Gbit/in
Internal data rate75 - 142Mbytes/sec (variable with zone)
Disc rotation speed7,200rpm
Avg rotational latency4.16msec
5.2Seek performance characteristics
See Section 12.4.1, "SAS physical interface" on page 56 and the SAS Interface Manual (part number
100293071) for additional timing details.
nformatted, rounded off value)
2
5.2.1Access time
1
Including controller overhead2
,
(msec)
Not including controller overhead
(msec)
1, 2
ReadWriteReadWrite
AverageTypical
Single trackTypical
Full strokeTypical
,
3,4
3,4
8.28.68.08.4
0.50.70.50.7
17.5518.0217.3517.82
43
1.Execution time measured from receipt of the Command to the Response.
2.Assumes no errors and no sector has been relocated.
3.Typical access times are measured under nominal conditions of temperature, voltage, and horizontal orientation as
measured on a representative sample of drives.
4.Access time = controller overhead + average seek time and applies to all data transfer commands.
Access to data = access time + latency time.
10Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
5.2.2Format command execution time for 512-byte sectors (minutes)
ST9500430SS, ST9500431SS & ST9500432SS
Maximum (with verify)
Maximum (without verify)
216
108
Note.
There is approximately a 1.5 increase in time to format a SED drive versus a non-SED drive of the same capacity.
5.2.3General performance characteristics
Minimum sector interleave1 to 1
Data buffer to/from disc media (one 512-byte logical block)*75 to 142 MBytes/sec
Sustained transfer rate95 to 100 Mbytes/sec
SAS Interface maximum instant
Logical block sizes
512 (default), 520 or 528.
Read/write consecutive sectors on a trackYes
Flaw reallocation performance impact (for flaws reallocated at format time using the
are sectors per sparing zone reallocation scheme.)
sp
Average rotational latency4.16 msec
*Assumes no errors and no relocated logical blocks. Rate measured from the start of the first logical block transfer to or
from the host.
aneous transfer rate600 Mbytes/sec* per port
(dual port = 1200 Mbytes/sec*)
Negligible
5.3Start/stop time
The drive accepts the commands listed in the SAS Interface Manual less than 3 seconds after DC power has
been applied.
If the drive receives a NOTIFY (ENABLE SPINUP) primitive through either port and has not received a START
STOP UNIT command with the START bit equal to 0, the drive becomes ready for normal operations within 30
seconds (excluding the error recovery procedure).
If the drive receives a START STOP UNIT command with the START bit equal to 0 before receiving a NOTIFY
(ENABLE SPINUP) primitive, the drive waits for a START ST OP UNIT command with the START bit equal to 1.
After receiving a START STOP UNIT command with the START bit equal to 1, the drive waits for a NOTIFY
(ENABLE SPINUP) primitive. After receiving a NOTIFY (ENABLE SPINUP) primitive through either port, the
drive becomes ready for normal operations within 30 seconds (excluding the error recovery procedure).
If the drive receives a START STOP UNIT command with the START bit and IMMED bit equal to 1 and does
not receive a NOTIFY (ENABLE SPINUP) primitive within 5 seconds, the drive fails the START STOP UNIT
command.
The ST AR T STOP UNIT command may be used to command the drive to stop the spindle . Stop time is 20 seconds (maximum) from removal of DC power. SCSI stop time is 20 seconds. There is no power control switch
on the drive.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E11
5.4Prefetch/multi-segmented cache control
The drive provides a prefetch (read look-ahead) and multi-segmented cache control algorithms that in many
cases can enhance system performance. Cache refers to the drive buffer storage space when it is used in
cache operations. To select this feature, the host sends the Mode Select command with the proper values in
the applicable bytes in page 08h. Prefetch and cache operations are independent features from the standpoint
that each is enabled and disabled independently using the Mode Select command; however, in actual operation, the prefetch feature overlaps cache operation somewhat as described in sections 5.5.1 and 5.5.2.
All default cache and prefetch mode parameter values (Mode Page 08h) for standard OEM versions of this
drive family are given in Table 8.
5.5Cache operation
Note.Refer to the SAS Interface Manual for more detail concerning the cache bits.
Of the 16 Mbytes physical buffer space in the drive, approximately 13,000 kbytes can be used as a cache. The
buffer is divided into logical segments from which data is read and to which data is written.
The drive keeps track of the logical block addresses of the data stored in each segment of the buffer. If the
cache is enabled (see RCD bit in the SAS Interface Manual ), data requested by the host with a read com mand
is retrieved from the buffer , if po ssible, before any disc acce ss is initiated. If cache operation is not enabled, the
buffer is still used, but only as circular buffer segments during disc medium read operations (disregarding
Prefetch operation for the moment). That is, the drive does not check in the buffer segments for the requested
read data, but goes directly to the medium to retrieve it. The retrieved data merely passes through some buffer
segment on the way to the host. All data transfers to the host are in accordance with buffer-full ratio rules. See
the explanation provided with the information about Mode Page 02h (disconnect/reconnect control) in the SAS Interface Manual.
The following is a simplified description of the prefetch/cache operation:
Case A—read command is received and all of the requested logical blocks are already in the cache:
1. Drive transfers the requested logical blocks to the initiator.
Case B—A Read command requests data, and at least one requested logical block is not in any segment of
the cache:
1. The drive fetches the requested lo gical blocks from the disc and transfers them into a segm ent, and then
from there to the host in accordance with the Mode Select Disconnect/Reconnect parameters, page 02h.
2. If the prefetch feature is enabled, re fe r t o sec tio n 5.5.2 for operation from this point.
Each cache segment is actually a self-contained circular buffer whose length is an integer number of logical
blocks. The drive dynamically creates and removes segments based on the workload. The wrap-around capability of the individual segments greatly enhances the cache’s overall performance.
Note.The size of each segment is no t reported by Mode Sense command page 08 h, bytes 14 and 15.
The value 0XFFFF is always reported regardless of the actual size of the segment. Sending a size
specification using the Mode Select command (bytes 14 and 15) does not set up a new segment
size. If the STRICT bit in Mode page 00h (byte 2, bit 1) is set to one, the drive responds as it does
for any attempt to change an unchangeable parameter.
12Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
5.5.1Caching write data
Write caching is a write operation by the drive that make s use of a drive b uffer storage area wher e the da ta to
be written to the medium is stored while the drive performs the Write command.
If read caching is enabled (RCD=0), then data written to the medium is retained in the cache to be made available for future read cache hits. The same buffer space and segmentation is used as set up for read functions.
The buffer segmentation scheme is set up or changed independently, having nothing to do with the state of
RCD. When a write command is issued, if RCD=0, the cache is first checked to see if any logical blocks that
are to be written are already stored in th e cache from a previous read or write command. If there are, the
respective cache segments are cleared. The new data is cached for subsequent Read commands.
If the number of write data logical blocks exceed the size of the segme nt being written into, when the end of the
segment is reached, the data is written into the beginning of the same cache segment, overwriting the da ta that
was written there at the beginning of the operation; however, the drive does not overwrite data that has not yet
been written to the medium.
If write caching is enabled (WCE=1), then the drive may return Good status on a write command after the data
has been transferred into the cache, but before the data has been written to the medium. If an error occurs
while writing the data to the medium, and Good status has already been returned, a deferred error will be generated.
The Synchronize Cache command may be used to force the drive to write all cached write dat a to the med ium.
Upon completion of a Synchronize Cache command, all data received from previous write commands will have
been written to the medium. Table 8 shows the mode default settings for the drive.
5.5.2Prefetch operation
If the Prefetch feature is enabled, data in contiguous logical blocks on the disc immediately beyond that which
was requested by a Read command are retrieved and stored in the buffer for immediate transfer from the buffer to the host on subsequent Read commands that request those logical blocks (this is true even if cache
operation is disabled). Though the pr ef etch operation uses the buffer as a cache, finding the requested data in
the buffer is a prefetch hit, not a cache operation hit.
To enable Prefetch, use Mode Select page 08h, byte 12, bit 5 (Disable Read Ahead - DRA bit). DRA bit = 0
enables prefetch.
The drive does not use the Max Prefetch field (bytes 8 and 9) or the Prefetch Ceiling field (bytes 10 and 11).
When prefetch (read look-ahead) is enabled (enabled by DRA = 0), the drive enables prefetch of contiguous
blocks from the disc when it senses that a prefetch hit will likely occur. The drive disables prefetch when it
decides that a prefetch hit is not likely to occur.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E13
6.0Reliability specifications
The following reliability specifications assume correct host and drive operational interface, including all interface timings, power supply voltages, environmental requirements and drive mounting constraints.
Seek error rate:Less than 10 errors in 10
Read Error Rates
1
Recovered DataLess than 10 errors in 1012 bits transferred (OEM default settings)
Unrecovered DataLess than 1 sector in 10
Miscorrected DataLess than 1 sector in 10
Interface error rate:Less than 1 error in 10
Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF):1,200,000 hours
Annualized Failure Rate (AFR):0.73%
Preventive maintenance:None required
1.Error rate specified with automatic retries and data correction with ECC enabled and all flaws reallocated.
6.1Error rates
The error rates stated in this manual assume the following:
• The drive is operated in accordance with this manual using DC power as defined in paragraph 7.3, "DC
power requirements."
• Errors caused by host system failures are excluded from error rate computations.
• Assume random data.
• Default OEM error recovery settings are applied. This includes AWRE, ARRE, full read retries, full write
retries and full retry time.
8
seeks
15
bits transferred
21
bits transferred
12
bits transferred
6.1.1Recoverable Errors
Recoverable errors are those detected and correcte d by the drive, and do not require user intervention.
Recoverable Data errors will use correction, although ECC on-the-fly is not considered for purposes of recov-
ered error specifications.
Recovered Data error rate is determined using read bits transferred for recoverab le errors occurring during a
read, and using write bits transferred for recoverable err ors occurring during a write.
6.1.2Unrecoverable Errors
An unrecoverable data error is def ined as a failure of the d rive to recover data from the media. These errors
occur due to head/media or write problems. Unrecoverable data errors are only detected during read operations, but not caused by the read. If an unrecoverable da ta error is detected, a MEDI UM ERROR (03h) in the
Sense Key will be reported. Multiple unrecoverable data errors resulting from the same cause are treated as 1
error.
14Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
6.1.3Seek errors
A seek error is defined as a failure of the drive to position the heads to the addressed track. After detecting an
initial seek error, the drive automatically performs an error recovery process. If the error recovery process fails,
a seek positioning error (Error code = 15h or 02h) will be reported with a Hardware error (04h) in the Sense
Key. Recoverable seek errors are specified at Less than 10 errors in 10
8
seeks. Unrecoverable seek errors
(Sense Key = 04h) are classified as drive failures.
6.1.4Interface errors
An interface error is defined as a failure of the receiver on a port to recover the data as transmitted by the
device port connected to the receiver. The error may be detected as a running disparity error, illegal code, loss
of word sync, or CRC error.
6.2Reliability and service
You can enhance the reliability of Constellation disc drives by ensuring that the drive receives adequate cooling. Section 7.0 provides temperature measurements and other information that may be used to enha nce the
service life of the drive. Section 11.2 provides recommended air-flow information.
6.2.1Annualized Failure Rate (AFR) and Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)
The production disc drive shall achieve an AFR of 0.73% (MTBF of 1,200,000 hours) when operated in an
environment that ensures the HDA case temperatures do not exceed the values specified in Section 7.5. Operation at case temperatures outside the specifications in Section 7.5 may increase the product AFR (decrease
the MTBF). The AFR (MTBF) is a population statistic not relevant to individual units.
The AFR (MTBF) specification is based on the following assumptions for Enterprise Storage System environments:
• 8760 power-on hours per year.
• 250 average on/off cycles per year.
• Operations at nominal voltages.
• Systems will provide adequate cooling to ensure the case temperatures specified in Section 7.5 are not
exceeded. Temperatures outside the specifications in Section 7.5 will increase the product AFR and
decrease the MTBF.
6.2.2Preventive maintenance
No routine scheduled preventive maintenance is required.
6.2.3Hot plugging the drive
When a disc is powered on by switching the power or hot plugged, the drive runs a self test before attempting
to communicate on its’ interfaces. When the self test completes successfully, the drive initiates a Link Reset
starting with OOB. An attached device should respond to the link reset. If the link reset attempt fails, or any
time the drive looses sync, the drive initiated link reset. The drive will initiate link reset once per second but
alternates between port A and B. Therefore each port will attempt a link reset once per 2 seconds assuming
both ports are out of sync.
If the self-test fails, the drive does not respond to link reset on the failing port.
Note.It is the responsibility of the systems integrator to assure that no temperature, energy, voltage haz-
ard, or ESD potential hazard is presented during the hot connect/disconnect operation. Discharge
the static electricity from the drive carrier prior to inserting it into the system.
Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E15
Caution.The dr ive motor must come to a complete stop prior to chang ing the plane of oper ation. This time is
required to insure data integrity.
6.2.4S.M.A.R.T.
S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. This technology is intended
to recognize conditions that indicate imminent drive failure and is designed to provide sufficient warning of a
failure to allow you to back up the data before an actual failure occurs.
Note.The drive’s firmware monitors specific attributes for degradation over time but can’t predict inst anta-
neous drive failures.
Each monitored attribute has been selected to monitor a specific set of failure conditions in the operating performance of the drive and the thresholds are op tim ized to minimize “false” and “failed” predictions.
Controlling S.M.A.R.T.
The operating mode of S.M.A.R.T. is controlled by the DEXCPT and PERF bits on the Informational Exceptio ns
Control mode page (1Ch). Use the DEXCPT bit to enable or disable the S.M.A.R.T. feature. Setting the DEXCPT bit disables all S.M.A.R.T. functions. When enabled, S.M.A.R.T. collect s on-line data as the drive performs
normal read and write operations. When the PERF bit is set, the drive is considered to be in “On-line Mode
Only” and will not perform off-line functions.
You can measure off-line attributes and force the drive to save the data by using the Rezero Unit command.
Forcing S.M.A.R.T. resets the timer so that the next scheduled interrupt is in two hours.
You can interrogate the drive through the host to dete rmine the time rema ining before the next sch eduled measurement and data logging process occurs. To accomplish this, issue a Log Sense command to log page 0x3E.
This allows you to control when S.M.A.R.T. interruptions occur. Forcing S.M.A.R.T. with the RTZ comma nd
resets the timer.
Performance impact
S.M.A.R.T. attribute data is saved to the disc so that the events that cause d a predictive fa ilure can be rec reated. The drive measures and saves paramete rs once every two hours subject to an idle period on the drive
interfaces. The process of measuring off-line attribute data and saving data to the disc is uninterruptable. The
maximum on-line only processing delay is summarized below:
Reporting is controlled by the MRIE bits in the Informational Exceptions Control mode page (1Ch). Subject to
the reporting method, the firmware will issue to the host an 01-5Dxx sense code. The error code is preserved
through bus resets and power cycles.
Determining rate
S.M.A.R.T. monitors the rate at which errors occur and signals a predictive failure if the rate of degraded erro rs
increases to an unacceptable level. To determine rate, error events are lo gged a nd com p a re d to the num ber of
total operations for a given attribute. The interval defines the number of operations o ver whic h to m easur e the
rate. The counter that keeps track of the current number of operations is referred to as the Interval Counter.
16Constellation SAS Product Manual, Rev. E
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