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Chapter 1 Introduction
Order Number: EK–STWCT–UG. E01 1–5
1.4 Support for Partitioned Tapes
Some operating systems provide support for tape partitions. With these systems, the tape
drive can read and write tapes containing either one or two partitions. Partitions provide
an efficient way to maintain a directory on a tape without the risk of overwriting data
when updating the directory. For additional information, refer to the operating manuals
that support your system.
1.5 Enhanced Performance
Assuming an average 2:1 compression ratio, the tape drive can achieve a sustained
transfer rate of approximately 1 MByte per second when writing in EXB-8500c format.
The maximum SCSI data transfer rate is up to 5.0 MBytes/second for a synchronous
burst and up to 2.5 MBytes/second for an asynchronous burst. (Achievement of these
performance numbers is dependent on the system configuration into which this tape drive
is installed).
Data interchange is maintained through full read and write compatibility with the
EXB-8500c, EXB-8500, EXB-8205, EXB-8200, and EXB-8200SX 8mm Cartridge Tape
Drives.
1.6 Intelligent Data Compression
When writing in its default EXB-8500c format, the tape drive uses the established
Improved Data Recording Capability (IDRC) algorithm. Licensed from IBM, this
algorithm is a de facto standard in mainframe environments. It uses the EXABYTE
Compression Integrity Check™ feature to ensure that data is accurately compressed and
decompressed into the original form sent by the host computer.
The compression algorithm is completely contained in an EXABYTE proprietary
integrated circuit. When data compression is enabled by the user, the tape drive invokes
the compression algorithm intelligently, constantly monitoring the compression ratio to
determine whether compressing the data will actually decrease the size of the data set.
When compression is turned on, the tape drive sends compressed data to tape only when
it benefits the user's storage capacity and throughput.
1.7 Sophisticated Error Correction Procedures
The tape drive performs on-board error correction code (ECC) and error-recovery
procedures, along with full read-after-write verification to ensure data integrity. The
drive also contains a logical-block-CRC (cyclic redundancy check) feature. By adding
two bytes of CRC data to every logical block on a compressed format tape, the drive can
check that user data is compressed and decompressed accurately.
1.8 Additional Features
The tape drive contains a single-ended SCSI controller. Additional features include
SCSI-2 compatibility, synchronous data transfer, an integrated 1-MByte speed-matching
buffer, full disconnect/reconnect arbitration support, and logical block packing. The tape
drive is an easily integrated solution to your journalizing, archiving, data interchange,
software distribution, imaging, data acquisition, and backup/restore needs.