IBM Ultrium Gen 6, Installation And User Manual

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The ITDT is effective for updating the drive firmware and for performing the Test
Device function. For additional information about using the ITDT, see “Updating
firmware” on page 14. To use the ITDT to execute the Test Device function,
complete the following steps:
1. If the ITDT utility is not installed on your server, download the applicable
version for your operating system from the IBM website into a directory on
your server.
2. When installation is complete, run the SCAN ( s ) option to determine if your
server can detect all of the Ultrium tape drive devices (including any libraries
or autoloaders that might be on the bus).
3. Select the drive that is to be tested or to have firmware downloaded.
4.
For testing, select the Test Device (
t
) option.
Note: This option will perform a series of LOADS, UNLOADS, and
WRITE/READ operations. Both tape drive control commands and data are sent
to the device over the interface bus.
5. The test will run for at least 30 minutes. If you determine that the interface
communication is operating correctly before test completes, enter the ABORT
command (
a ).
Resolving problems reported by the server
Use this information to resolve problems reported by the server.
The procedure for fixing interface bus errors varies, depending on whether the
error is consistent or intermittent, and on your configuration. The sections that
follow describe how to fix an error.
Fixing SAS bus errors
1. Make sure that the tape drive power is on.
2. Make sure that the SAS cable is fully seated in the server and the tape drive.
3. Replace the SAS cable if it shows any signs of damage.
Resolving problems with the tape media
Use this information to resolve problems with the tape media.
To resolve problems that are related to media, the drive firmware includes the
following capabilities:
v
Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic that verifies whether a suspect cartridge and
its magnetic tape are acceptable for use.
v
Statistical Analysis and Reporting System (SARS) to assist in isolating failures
between media and hardware. To determine the cause of failure, SARS uses the
cartridge performance history that is saved in the cartridge memory (CM) and
the drive performance history that is kept in the drive VPD (Vital Product Data)
area in NVRAM. Any failures that SARS detects are reported as TapeAlert flags
on the server (see
IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drive SCSI Reference at
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S7001045&aid=1.).
Attention: If you insert the IBM LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge into another
manufacturer's drive, the SARS data in the cartridge memory might become lost
or invalid.
Chapter 5. Resolving problems
55