View/Change
Drive Settings (LTO only)
Linux and Netware (command line operations):
The TapeRx
diagnostic utility provides basic diagnostic test capabilities, firmware
upgrade and, for some tape drives, advanced analysis and configuration.
Installation is accomplished simply by copying a single program file to the
hard drive. The computer need not be rebooted in order to run it, and the
software can be removed simply by deleting it. No changes are made to the
Registry or other system files.
Supported operating systems
Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000/XP/2003
Red Hat Linux 7, 8 and 9;
NetWare 5.X and 6.X
Installation of the software is very simple: Copy the
appropriate executable file for your operating system to the hard drive, then run the program.
1. Copy
the executable TapeRx.exe to the Windows desktop or a directory of your
choice.
2. When
using TapeRx with an autoloader/changer on Windows
XP/2000/2003, the Removable Storage Manager must first be stopped.
Autoloaders/changers are not supported on Windows NT. Firmware upgrade is not
supported on LTO autoloaders.
3. In
rare cases under Windows NT/2000/XP/2003, if the diagnostic software is unable
to detect your tape drive, services used by your backup application may need to
be manually stopped from Computer Management. Exiting a backup application
alone will not always cause the application to release the tape drive.
1. Check
that the kernel has the SCSI generic driver sg
installed.
·
Use
the command ‘find / –name sg –print’ to see if the sg driver exists in the system.
·
Use
the command ‘find / –name sg.o –print’ to see if the sg driver has been compiled into the
kernel or as a module.
·
Refer
to the systems kernel documentation for more information on obtaining the files
if they do not exist in the system.
·
Other
helpful information is available at http://www.torque.net/sg/ .
2. Copy
the executable TapeRx.lx to a directory
of your choice.
Notes:
·
Because
of Linux driver limitations, the LTO extended sense codes are not supported.
·
Firmware
upgrade is not supported under Red Hat Linux Enterprise 2.1 except with kernel
2.4.9-e.35.
·
Some
of the older Linux kernels have a known driver bug that causes SCSI error
messages to be displayed to the screen during drive detection. These do not
affect operation of the drive nor the diagnostic software and can be ignored.
The firmware download option may show a failed status on the console and
‘parity errors’. This is due to the sg
driver not
requesting Synchronous Data Transfer immediately after the download completes.
The validity of the firmware download is not affected.
From a
client system, copy TapeRx.nlm into the
SYS volume directory of the server.
Observe
the following requirements and limitations on the NetWare version:
·
All TapeRx
file access operations require the use of volume names. For example, upgrading
firmware on an LTO drive might appear as follows: TapeRx
upgrade –f:SYS:\filename.img
–id:0. Note the ‘\’ after ‘SYS:’ Both the backslash
and the volume name are mandatory.
·
You
may need to toggle output screens with Alt-Esc to view test results on later
versions of NetWare.
·
Firmware
files must reside on a Netware volume partition due to long filenames. They
cannot reside on a DOS partition.
·
The
following modules must be loaded: NWASPI.CDM and CLIB.NLM
·
Always
use full path names for firmware and log files. Never use the X:\NWSERVER
directory for file access.
·
The
log files created by the diagnostic will be placed in the server’s SYS
directory.
·
Tape
reads and writes are limited to 32K by NWASPI, so long read-write tests will
not always stream on LTO drives.
Note: The
diagnostic uses the NWASPI driver, not the application tape driver, to access
the tape drive. If using a commercial backup application, nwtape.cdm
may need to be unloaded to ensure proper operation.
To run
the Windows version of the diagnostic application, double-click on the desktop
icon (if you placed the application on the Windows desktop) or open Explorer,
go to the directory in which you placed the application and double-click on TapeRx.exe.
The
software will search for all the supported tape drives that are directly
attached to your computer. Once the search is complete, the diagnostic window
will be displayed, showing one tab for each supported tape drive found.
Included are the drive type and serial number, logical ID, drive model number
and firmware revision level.
Click the
tab that represents the tape drive you wish to work on, then
select one of the available operations in the left-hand column. The options in
the right-hand column will vary depending on your selection and the type of
tape drive being accessed.
When a
test or operation has been launched, the status, results and error messages
will be displayed in the View window, including a date/time stamp and drive
details. This information can be saved to disk as a text file by clicking the Save
button, then opened
and printed from Notepad or another word processor. If you save the View window
again using the same file name, the new information will be appended to the
previous file. Clicking the Clear button will erase the information
displayed in the View window.
Trace
buffer data (if available) and LTO-specific information (cartridge memory and
EEPROM data) will be saved to a binary file on disk instead of being displayed
in the View window.
To exit
the application, click the Exit button or the “X” in the upper right
corner of the window.
The
available operations are as follows (not all operations are available on every
drive type):
Read-Write Test: The program will write the specified
amount of repeating-pattern data on a new or scratch tape (the default
uncompressed test sizes are 200MB for LTO, 20MB for DAT, 5 MB for Travan), then rewind and read back the data pattern to
compare it with the original. The vertical progress bars will show the
approximate percentage completed, and an entry will be made in the View window
for each action in the test. If the error count does not exceed the acceptable
maximum, the drive will be reported as having successfully passed the test.
Otherwise, one or more error messages will be displayed in the View window.
Compression Test: The program will perform a
read-write test as above, using hardware data compression (if available) to
confirm that your tape drive’s data compression is functioning properly.
Retension
Tape Before Test: This checkbox enables a retension
pass (quickly run the tape from beginning to end) before a Read-Write or
Compression test, if the tape drive supports retensioning.
This is highly recommended for Travan drives.
Test Size: When using the Read-Write or
Compression tests, you can optionally configure the size of the test data set.
Enter an integer number in megabytes (there are 1024 megabytes in a gigabyte).
If you do not set a size, the data set will automatically be the defaults
listed above. The program will not accept any value less than 5 MB.
This
button will test the drive electronics (the same as the Power On Self-Test) and report a pass/fail status in the view
window. In the case of the 8-cartridge LTO autoloader, it will cycle through
the autoloader’s self-test as well.
Check the
box to select which type of information you want to be retrieved from the
drive. Then click the Retrieve button to download the information.
Log Pages: This checkbox enables a text dump of
the available log pages from the drive. The information will be displayed in
the View window.
Trace Buffer: This checkbox enables a dump of a
supported drive’s internal trace buffer, showing a history of recent
operations. This is a binary file and must be saved to disk. Use the Browse
button to select a folder and enter the file name where you want this information
to be stored.
Cartridge Memory: This checkbox enables a dump of
cartridge memory from the media currently in an LTO drive. This is a binary
file and must be saved to disk. Use the Browse button to select a folder and
enter the file name where you want this information to be stored.
EEPROM Data: This checkbox enables a dump of an
LTO drive’s internal EEPROM settings. This is a binary file and must be saved
to disk. Use the Browse button to select a folder and enter the file name where
you want this information to be stored.
Firmware
is the binary code stored in the tape drive’s permanent memory that controls
its basic operation. Firmware revisions may be released by the manufacturer to
address specific issues discovered after manufacturing.
Click the
Browse button to locate the firmware file on your hard drive. Click OK to
select it.
IMPORTANT: If your tape drive was purchased
as part of a computer system, be sure to check with the system manufacturer
before upgrading firmware. You may have a special version of firmware, and
replacing it with a standard version may cause incompatibilities.
Choose
the appropriate LTO drive settings that you want to view or change by clicking
the drop-down list box next to each function. When you have completed your
selections, click the Apply button to display settings (in the View window)
and/or update the tape drive. Available functions are:
Compression Setting: Sets data compression to Enabled or
Disabled via the Data Compression Control Page (0Fh).
Compression Control: Sets the default compression mode
via the Drive Capabilities Conrol Mode Page (21h),
with the possible values of On, Off and SCSI [default]. This must be set to SCSI
in order for compression
to be controlled via the Compression Setting function.
Tape Speed: Sets the maximum drive speed from
highest (7) to lowest. Speed 0 represents automatic speed selection (via FastSense) [default].
Auto Load: Sets the cartridge autoload mode, with the possible values of Off, Hold and On [default]. With off, the cartridge cannot be
loaded at all; with hold, the cartridge will seat but will not thread
the tape; with on, the cartridge will both seat and thread the tape.
Click on
the button that performs the operation you require. Available functions are:
Retension
Tape: This launches
a retension pass (quickly run the
tape from beg
inning to end) on the media currently inserted into the tape
drive, if the drive supports the retension command.
Park Load Arm (LTO only): This moves the recording head
assembly and cartridge carrier into a secure parked position for shipping
(IMPORTANT: The media cartridge must be completely removed from the drive
before this command is issued, or damage may occur to the drive and cartridge.)
Unpark
Load Arm (LTO only): This
moves the recording head assembly and cartridge carrier back into the ready
position. In normal operation, this command is unnecessary, because the drive
will automatically unpark on power-up.
IMPORTANT: When using the command line, it is the user’s responsibility to make sure
that any media used is a scratch tape and not valuable data that could be
overwritten. There are no warning messages.
Type the name of the diagnostic
executable with parameters and press [Enter]. The software will launch, locate
all the supported tape drives, and execute the command you have entered. When
it has completed the command, the software will exit and return you to the
system prompt. A series of these commands can be assembled into a batch file
and run sequentially.
Syntax is as follows (one space
between parameters):
<executable> <command> <switch><:value>
<path_and_filename>
(Multiple switches can be used as
necessary)
Note: On Linux/Unix systems, the syntax
is case-sensitive, including the executable name.
|
Operating
System |
Example
with parameters* |
|
Linux |
./TapeRx.lx rwtest –id:0 –ts:12
–o:/tmp/logfile1.txt |
|
NetWare |
TapeRx rwtest –id:0 –ts:12 –o:SYS:\logfile1.txt |
A summary help screen of the basic
commands and switches is available by typing the executable name followed by
the command help. If a syntax error occurs, the help screen or a
specific error message will automatically be displayed.
Note: Each time a command is executed,
the application assigns logical IDs to all the supported tape drives it
discovers directly attached to the system, beginning with 0. Before running a
test or upgrading firmware, use the show command (for example, TapeRx show) to determine which logical ID is
assigned to which drive. Then use that logical ID with each command during the
session.
|
show
|
Shows all of the supported drives
detected by the application, including model number, logical ID, serial
number and firmware version. This command must
be used initially to determine the logical ID of each device detected by the
application, unless only one tape drive is attached to the system. |
|
rwtest |
Tape read-write test sends a
repeating data pattern to the tape drive, then reads it back and compares it
on the host. This test will use the current block size setting on the drive
and adjust the length and error calculations accordingly. If no test size
value is entered (-ts parameter), the test will be
5MB for Travan, 20MB for DAT and 200MB for LTO (no
compression). |
|
ctest |
Hardware compression test confirms
that hardware data compression is operational on the drive. This test is
operationally identical to the read-write test, except that compression is
turned on. If no test size value is entered (-ts
parameter), the test will be 5MB for Travan, 20MB
for DAT and 200MB for LTO (compressed). |
|
upgrade
|
Upgrades firmware on a supported
tape drive. This command must be used with the –f switch to identify the
binary file that contains the new firmware. |
|
logpages |
Dumps drive log pages in formatted
ASCII text. This command should be used with the –o switch to direct output
to a text file. |
|
enablecomp |
Sets data compression to Enabled
via the Data Compression Control Page (0Fh). |
|
disablecomp |
Sets data compression to Disabled
via the Data Compression Control Page (0Fh). |
|
compstatus |
Returns the current data
compression setting (Page 0Fh). |
|
retension |
Retension the media on drives that support
the retension command. |
|
help
|
Displays the help screen. |
|
trace
|
Dumps binary trace information.
This command must be used with the –f switch to direct output to a binary
file on disc. |
|
etest |
Internal electronics test. Result
is pass or fail. |
Target drive
identification (you must use one of the two switches below):
-id: = identifies the drive by logical ID. Use the show
command (for
example, TapeRx
show) to determine
which logical ID is assigned to which drive. Then use that logical ID with each
command during the session.
-sn:
= drive serial
number.
Text
(non-binary) output (you may use one of the two optional switches below):
-o: = text output file name, with full path recommended.
(NOTE: Spaces are not supported.) Provides ASCII text output
to a file as well as the screen. Using an existing filename will result
in an append to that file.
-nov:
= no screen output
(if followed by a filename, output goes to that text file).
General:
-ts: = read-write or compression test
size in megabytes (defaults are used unless this switch is present).
-f: = binary file name, with full path included. (NOTE:
Spaces are not supported.) Used with the upgrade command on a tape drive
to specify the firmware file to be loaded and the trace, cmemory
and eeprom commands to specify the
binary output file.
-fr
= full retension of media before executing rwtest
or ctest (on drives that support
the retension command)
-i = ignore firmware version on
upgrade, allowing downgrade or reinstalling the same version.
-nr = suppress the “Press enter to continue” prompt. Used
with batch file operation.
park
= moves the
recording head assembly and cartridge carrier into a secure parked position for
shipping (IMPORTANT: The media cartridge must be completely removed from the
drive before this command is issued, or damage may occur to the drive and
cartridge.)
unpark
= moves the
recording head assembly and cartridge carrier back into the ready position. In
normal operation, this command is unnecessary, because the drive will
automatically unpark on power-up.
eeprom
= retrieves the 8K
byte EEPROM buffer from the drive. This command must be used with the –f switch
to direct output to a binary file on disc.
cmemory
= retrieves the 4K
byte Cartridge Memory data from the cartridge currently inserted in the drive.
This command must be used with the –f switch to direct output to a binary file
on disc.
set
<switch> =
sets one or more of the following LTO virtual switches:
-speed:<value>
= Sets the maximum
drive speed from highest (7) to lowest. Speed 0 represents automatic speed
selection (via FastSense) [default].
-compdefault:<value> = sets the default compression mode via the Drive
Capabilities Conrol Mode Page (21h), with the
possible values of on, off and scsi
[default]. This
must be set to scsi
in order for compression to be controlled via the enablecomp/disablecomp
commands.
-load:<value>
= sets the
cartridge autoload mode, with the possible values of off, hold and on
[default]. With off,
the cartridge cannot be loaded at all; with hold, the cartridge will
seat but will not thread the tape; with on, the cartridge will both seat
and load the tape.
get
<switch> =
gets the current setting of one or more of the following LTO virtual switches:
-speed
-compdefault
-load
(Assumes
the executable is called TapeRx and the
drive is at Logical ID 1)
Display detail and logical IDs of
all supported tape drives attached to the system:
TapeRx
show
Dump drive log pages to screen:
TapeRx
logpages –id:1
Dump drive log pages to screen and a
text file:
TapeRx
logpages –id:1
–o:c:\temp\text1.txt
Dump drive log pages to a text file
only:
TapeRx
logpages –id:1
–nov:c:\temp\text1.txt
TapeRx
upgrade –id:1 –f:c:\temp\v13602701-000.img
Do a read-write test of 20MB, with
results to the screen and a text file:
TapeRx
rwtest –id:1 –ts:20
–o:c:\temp\text.txt
Retension the tape (if supported by the
drive):
TapeRx
retension –id:1
Determine hardware compression
setting (if supported by the drive):
TapeRx
compstatus –id:1