Contributed by Jonathan M. Bresler <jmb@FreeBSD.org>. 2
July 1996.
mt(1) provides generic access to the tape drives. Some of the more common commands are rewind, erase, and status. See the mt(1) manual page for a detailed description.
There are several different interfaces that support tape drives. The interfaces are SCSI, IDE, Floppy and Parallel Port. A wide variety of tape drives are available for these interfaces. Controllers are discussed in Disk/tape controllers.
The st(4) driver provides support for 8mm (Exabyte), 4mm (DAT: Digital Audio Tape), QIC (Quarter-Inch Cartridge), DLT (Digital Linear Tape), QIC Mini cartridge and 9-track (remember the big reels that you see spinning in Hollywood computer rooms) tape drives. See the st(4) manual page for a detailed description.
The drives listed below are currently being used by members of the FreeBSD community. They are not the only drives that will work with FreeBSD. They just happen to be the ones that we use.
The boot message identifier for this drive is ARCHIVE ANCDA 2750 28077 -003 type 1 removable SCSI 2
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 1.35GB when using QIC-1350 tapes. This drive will read and write QIC-150 (DC6150), QIC-250 (DC6250), and QIC-525 (DC6525) tapes as well.
Data transfer rate is 350kB/s using dump(8). Rates of 530kB/s have been reported when using Amanda
Production of this drive has been discontinued.
The SCSI bus connector on this tape drive is reversed from that on most other SCSI devices. Make sure that you have enough SCSI cable to twist the cable one-half turn before and after the Archive Anaconda tape drive, or turn your other SCSI devices upside-down.
Two kernel code changes are required to use this drive. This drive will not work as delivered.
If you have a SCSI-2 controller, short jumper 6. Otherwise, the drive behaves are a SCSI-1 device. When operating as a SCSI-1 device, this drive, “locks” the SCSI bus during some tape operations, including: fsf, rewind, and rewoffl.
If you are using the NCR SCSI controllers, patch the file /usr/src/sys/pci/ncr.c (as shown below). Build and install a new kernel.
*** 4831,4835 ****
};
! if (np->latetime>4) {
/*
** Although we tried to wake it up,
--- 4831,4836 ----
};
! if (np->latetime>1200) {
/*
** Although we tried to wake it up,
Reported by: Jonathan M. Bresler <jmb@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is ARCHIVE Python 28454-XXX4ASB type 1 removable SCSI 2 density code 0x8c, 512-byte blocks
This is a DDS-1 tape drive.
Native capacity is 2.5GB on 90m tapes.
Data transfer rate is XXX.
This drive was repackaged by Sun Microsystems as model 595-3067.
Reported by: Bob Bishop <rb@gid.co.uk>
Throughput is in the 1.5 MByte/sec range, however this will drop if the disks and tape drive are on the same SCSI controller.
Reported by: Robert E. Seastrom <rs@seastrom.com>
The boot message identifier for this drive is ARCHIVE Python 04687-XXX 6580 Removable Sequential Access SCSI-2 device
This is a DAT-DDS-2 drive.
Native capacity is 4GB when using 120m tapes.
This drive supports hardware data compression. Switch 4 controls MRS (Media Recognition System). MRS tapes have stripes on the transparent leader. Switch 4 off enables MRS, on disables MRS.
Parity is controlled by switch 5. Switch 5 on to enable parity control. Compression is enabled with Switch 6 off. It is possible to override compression with the SCSI MODE SELECT command (see mt(1)).
Data transfer rate is 800kB/s.
The boot message identifier for this drive is ARCHIVE VIPER 60 21116 -007 type 1 removable SCSI 1
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 60MB.
Data transfer rate is XXX.
Production of this drive has been discontinued.
Reported by: Philippe Regnauld <regnauld@hsc.fr>
The boot message identifier for this drive is ARCHIVE VIPER 150 21531 -004 Archive Viper 150 is a known rogue type 1 removable SCSI 1. A multitude of firmware revisions exist for this drive. Your drive may report different numbers (e.g 21247 -005.
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 150/250MB. Both 150MB (DC6150) and 250MB (DC6250) tapes have the recording format. The 250MB tapes are approximately 67% longer than the 150MB tapes. This drive can read 120MB tapes as well. It can not write 120MB tapes.
Data transfer rate is 100kB/s
This drive reads and writes DC6150 (150MB) and DC6250 (250MB) tapes.
This drives quirks are known and pre-compiled into the SCSI tape device driver (st(4)).
Under FreeBSD 2.2-CURRENT, use mt blocksize 512 to set the blocksize. (The particular drive had firmware revision 21247 -005. Other firmware revisions may behave differently) Previous versions of FreeBSD did not have this problem.
Production of this drive has been discontinued.
Reported by: Pedro A M Vazquez <vazquez@IQM.Unicamp.BR>
Michael Smith <msmith@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is ARCHIVE VIPER 2525 25462 -011 type 1 removable SCSI 1
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 525MB.
Data transfer rate is 180kB/s at 90 inches/sec.
The drive reads QIC-525, QIC-150, QIC-120 and QIC-24 tapes. Writes QIC-525, QIC-150, and QIC-120.
Firmware revisions prior to 25462 -011 are bug ridden and will not function properly.
Production of this drive has been discontinued.
The boot message identifier for this drive is Conner tape.
This is a floppy controller, mini cartridge tape drive.
Native capacity is XXXX
Data transfer rate is XXX
The drive uses QIC-80 tape cartridges.
Reported by: Mark Hannon <mark@seeware.DIALix.oz.au>
The boot message identifier for this drive is CONNER CTMS 3200 7.00 type 1 removable SCSI 2.
This is a mini cartridge tape drive.
Native capacity is XXXX
Data transfer rate is XXX
The drive uses QIC-3080 tape cartridges.
Reported by: Thomas S. Traylor <tst@titan.cs.mci.com>
The boot message identifier for this drive is DEC TZ87 (C) DEC 9206 type 1 removable SCSI 2 density code 0x19
This is a DLT tape drive.
Native capacity is 10GB.
This drive supports hardware data compression.
Data transfer rate is 1.2MB/s.
This drive is identical to the Quantum DLT2000. The drive firmware can be set to emulate several well-known drives, including an Exabyte 8mm drive.
Reported by: Wilko Bulte <wilko@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is EXABYTE EXB-2501
This is a mini-cartridge tape drive.
Native capacity is 1GB when using MC3000XL mini cartridges.
Data transfer rate is XXX
This drive can read and write DC2300 (550MB), DC2750 (750MB), MC3000 (750MB), and MC3000XL (1GB) mini cartridges.
WARNING: This drive does not meet the SCSI-2 specifications. The drive locks up completely in response to a SCSI MODE_SELECT command unless there is a formatted tape in the drive. Before using this drive, set the tape blocksize with
# mt -f /dev/st0ctl.0 blocksize 1024
Before using a mini cartridge for the first time, the mini cartridge must be formated. FreeBSD 2.1.0-RELEASE and earlier:
# /sbin/scsi -f /dev/rst0.ctl -s 600 -c "4 0 0 0 0 0"
(Alternatively, fetch a copy of the scsiformat shell script from FreeBSD 2.1.5/2.2.) FreeBSD 2.1.5 and later:
# /sbin/scsiformat -q -w /dev/rst0.ctl
Right now, this drive cannot really be recommended for FreeBSD.
Reported by: Bob Beaulieu <ez@eztravel.com>
The boot message identifier for this drive is EXABYTE EXB-8200 252X type 1 removable SCSI 1
This is an 8mm tape drive.
Native capacity is 2.3GB.
Data transfer rate is 270kB/s.
This drive is fairly slow in responding to the SCSI bus during boot. A custom kernel may be required (set SCSI_DELAY to 10 seconds).
There are a large number of firmware configurations for this drive, some have been customized to a particular vendor's hardware. The firmware can be changed via EPROM replacement.
Production of this drive has been discontinued.
Reported by: Michael Smith <msmith@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is EXABYTE EXB-8500-85Qanx0 0415 type 1 removable SCSI 2
This is an 8mm tape drive.
Native capacity is 5GB.
Data transfer rate is 300kB/s.
Reported by: Greg Lehey <grog@lemis.de>
The boot message identifier for this drive is EXABYTE EXB-85058SQANXR1 05B0 type 1 removable SCSI 2
This is an 8mm tape drive which supports compression, and is upward compatible with the EXB-5200 and EXB-8500.
Native capacity is 5GB.
The drive supports hardware data compression.
Data transfer rate is 300kB/s.
Reported by: Glen Foster <gfoster@gfoster.com>
The boot message identifier for this drive is HP C1533A 9503 type 1 removable SCSI 2.
This is a DDS-2 tape drive. DDS-2 means hardware data compression and narrower tracks for increased data capacity.
Native capacity is 4GB when using 120m tapes. This drive supports hardware data compression.
Data transfer rate is 510kB/s.
This drive is used in Hewlett-Packard's SureStore 6000eU and 6000i tape drives and C1533A DDS-2 DAT drive.
The drive has a block of 8 dip switches. The proper settings for FreeBSD are: 1 ON; 2 ON; 3 OFF; 4 ON; 5 ON; 6 ON; 7 ON; 8 ON.
| switch 1 | switch 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| On | On | Compression enabled at power-on, with host control |
| On | Off | Compression enabled at power-on, no host control |
| Off | On | Compression disabled at power-on, with host control |
| Off | Off | Compression disabled at power-on, no host control |
Switch 3 controls MRS (Media Recognition System). MRS tapes have stripes on the transparent leader. These identify the tape as DDS (Digital Data Storage) grade media. Tapes that do not have the stripes will be treated as write-protected. Switch 3 OFF enables MRS. Switch 3 ON disables MRS.
See HP SureStore Tape Products and Hewlett-Packard Disk and Tape Technical Information for more information on configuring this drive.
Warning: Quality control on these drives varies greatly. One FreeBSD core-team member has returned 2 of these drives. Neither lasted more than 5 months.
Reported by: Stefan Esser <se@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is HP HP35470A T503 type 1 removable SCSI 2 Sequential-Access density code 0x13, variable blocks.
This is a DDS-1 tape drive. DDS-1 is the original DAT tape format.
Native capacity is 2GB when using 90m tapes.
Data transfer rate is 183kB/s.
The same mechanism is used in Hewlett-Packard's SureStore 2000i tape drive, C35470A DDS format DAT drive, C1534A DDS format DAT drive and HP C1536A DDS format DAT drive.
The HP C1534A DDS format DAT drive has two indicator lights, one green and one amber. The green one indicates tape action: slow flash during load, steady when loaded, fast flash during read/write operations. The amber one indicates warnings: slow flash when cleaning is required or tape is nearing the end of its useful life, steady indicates an hard fault. (factory service required?)
Reported by Gary Crutcher <gcrutchr@nightflight.com>
The boot message identifier for this drive is "".
This is a DDS-2 tape drive with a tape changer. DDS-2 means hardware data compression and narrower tracks for increased data capacity.
Native capacity is 24GB when using 120m tapes. This drive supports hardware data compression.
Data transfer rate is 510kB/s (native).
This drive is used in Hewlett-Packard's SureStore 12000e tape drive.
The drive has two selectors on the rear panel. The selector closer to the fan is SCSI id. The other selector should be set to 7.
There are four internal switches. These should be set: 1 ON; 2 ON; 3 ON; 4 OFF.
At present the kernel drivers do not automatically change tapes at the end of a volume. This shell script can be used to change tapes:
#!/bin/sh
PATH="/sbin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/bin"; export PATH
usage()
{
echo "Usage: dds_changer [123456ne] raw-device-name
echo "1..6 = Select cartridge"
echo "next cartridge"
echo "eject magazine"
exit 2
}
if [ $# -ne 2 ] ; then
usage
fi
cdb3=0
cdb4=0
cdb5=0
case $1 in
[123456])
cdb3=$1
cdb4=1
;;
n)
;;
e)
cdb5=0x80
;;
?)
usage
;;
esac
scsi -f $2 -s 100 -c "1b 0 0 $cdb3 $cdb4 $cdb5"
The boot message identifier for this drive is HP HP35450A -A C620 type 1 removable SCSI 2 Sequential-Access density code 0x13
This is a DDS-1 tape drive. DDS-1 is the original DAT tape format.
Native capacity is 1.2GB.
Data transfer rate is 160kB/s.
Reported by: Mark Thompson <mark.a.thompson@pobox.com>
The boot message identifier for this drive is HP HP35470A 9 09 type 1 removable SCSI 2
This is a DDS-1 tape drive. DDS-1 is the original DAT tape format.
Native capacity is 2GB when using 90m tapes.
Data transfer rate is 183kB/s.
The same mechanism is used in Hewlett-Packard's SureStore 2000i tape drive, C35470A DDS format DAT drive, C1534A DDS format DAT drive, and HP C1536A DDS format DAT drive.
Warning: Quality control on these drives varies greatly. One FreeBSD core-team member has returned 5 of these drives. None lasted more than 9 months.
Reported by: David Dawes <dawes@rf900.physics.usyd.edu.au>
(9 09)
The boot message identifier for this drive is HP HP35480A 1009 type 1 removable SCSI 2 Sequential-Access density code 0x13.
This is a DDS-DC tape drive. DDS-DC is DDS-1 with hardware data compression. DDS-1 is the original DAT tape format.
Native capacity is 2GB when using 90m tapes. It cannot handle 120m tapes. This drive supports hardware data compression. Please refer to the section on HP C1533A for the proper switch settings.
Data transfer rate is 183kB/s.
This drive is used in Hewlett-Packard's SureStore 5000eU and 5000i tape drives and C35480A DDS format DAT drive..
This drive will occasionally hang during a tape eject operation (mt offline). Pressing the front panel button will eject the tape and bring the tape drive back to life.
WARNING: HP 35480-03110 only. On at least two occasions this tape drive when used with FreeBSD 2.1.0, an IBM Server 320 and an 2940W SCSI controller resulted in all SCSI disk partitions being lost. The problem has not be analyzed or resolved at this time.
There are at least two significantly different models: one is a DDS-1 and the other DDS-2. The DDS-1 version is SDT-5000 3.02. The DDS-2 version is SONY SDT-5000 327M. The DDS-2 version has a 1MB cache. This cache is able to keep the tape streaming in almost any circumstances.
The boot message identifier for this drive is SONY SDT-5000 3.02 type 1 removable SCSI 2 Sequential-Access density code 0x13
Native capacity is 4GB when using 120m tapes. This drive supports hardware data compression.
Data transfer rate is depends upon the model or the drive. The rate is 630kB/s for the SONY SDT-5000 327M while compressing the data. For the SONY SDT-5000 3.02, the data transfer rate is 225kB/s.
In order to get this drive to stream, set the blocksize to 512 bytes (mt blocksize 512) reported by Kenneth Merry <ken@ulc199.residence.gatech.edu>.
SONY SDT-5000 327M information reported by Charles Henrich
<henrich@msu.edu>.
Reported by: Jean-Marc Zucconi <jmz@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is TANDBERG TDC 3600 =08: type 1 removable SCSI 2
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 150/250MB.
This drive has quirks which are known and work around code is present in the SCSI tape device driver (st(4)). Upgrading the firmware to XXX version will fix the quirks and provide SCSI 2 capabilities.
Data transfer rate is 80kB/s.
IBM and Emerald units will not work. Replacing the firmware EPROM of these units will solve the problem.
Reported by: Michael Smith <msmith@FreeBSD.org>
This is very similar to the Tandberg TDC 3600 drive.
Reported by: Jörg Wunsch <joerg@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is TANDBERG TDC 3800 =04Y Removable Sequential Access SCSI-2 device
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 525MB.
Reported by: Julian Stacey <jhs@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is TANDBERG TDC 4222 =07 type 1 removable SCSI 2
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 2.5GB. The drive will read all cartridges from the 60 MB (DC600A) upwards, and write 150 MB (DC6150) upwards. Hardware compression is optionally supported for the 2.5 GB cartridges.
This drives quirks are known and pre-compiled into the SCSI tape device driver (st(4)) beginning with FreeBSD 2.2-CURRENT. For previous versions of FreeBSD, use mt to read one block from the tape, rewind the tape, and then execute the backup program (mt fsr 1; mt rewind; dump ...)
Data transfer rate is 600kB/s (vendor claim with compression), 350 KB/s can even be reached in start/stop mode. The rate decreases for smaller cartridges.
Reported by: Jörg Wunsch <joerg@FreeBSD.org>
The boot message identifier for this drive is WANGTEK 5525ES SCSI REV7 3R1 type 1 removable SCSI 1 density code 0x11, 1024-byte blocks
This is a QIC tape drive.
Native capacity is 525MB.
Data transfer rate is 180kB/s.
The drive reads 60, 120, 150, and 525MB tapes. The drive will not write 60MB (DC600 cartridge) tapes. In order to overwrite 120 and 150 tapes reliably, first erase (mt erase) the tape. 120 and 150 tapes used a wider track (fewer tracks per tape) than 525MB tapes. The “extra” width of the previous tracks is not overwritten, as a result the new data lies in a band surrounded on both sides by the previous data unless the tape have been erased.
This drives quirks are known and pre-compiled into the SCSI tape device driver (st(4)).
Other firmware revisions that are known to work are: M75D
Reported by: Marc van Kempen <marc@bowtie.nl> REV73R1 Andrew Gordon <Andrew.Gordon@net-tel.co.uk> M75D
The boot message identifier for this drive is WANGTEK 6200-HS 4B18 type 1 removable SCSI 2 Sequential-Access density code 0x13
This is a DDS-1 tape drive.
Native capacity is 2GB using 90m tapes.
Data transfer rate is 150kB/s.
Reported by: Tony Kimball <alk@Think.COM>
This, and other documents, can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD/doc/.
For questions about FreeBSD, read the documentation before contacting <questions@FreeBSD.org>.
For questions about this documentation, e-mail <doc@FreeBSD.org>.