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Using Special Features in Libraries 33
Using Special Features in
Libraries
time a Set Drive Configuration command is sent, it is recommended that a Get
Drive Configuration command is sent to double-check that the drive is
configured correctly.
It is recommended that the Get Buffer Size command is sent to drive as part of
the power-up sequence to determine the maximum burst buffer size and
maximum receive/transmit package buffer sizes.
If a baud rate other than the default is to be used, then it is recommended that
this is set during the power-up sequence using the Set Baud Rate command.
Recommended Load-Unload Configuration
The Set Drive Configuration command provides access to several features that
alter the tape drive’s behavior when loading or unloading cartridges. These
give a large amount of flexibility in designing an automation controller.
Our experience suggests that certain configurations result in significantly
fewer difficulties when integrating the HP Ultrium tape drive.
We recommend configuration with the Auto-Eject feature disabled. If Auto-
Eject is enabled, the drive will eject a cartridge in a variety of cases not
directly controlled by the automation controller. These include receiving a
SCSI
LOAD
/
UNLOAD
command with the Load bit set to 0, various load
failures (regardless of the method of instigating the load), completion of the
image verification step when upgrading the tape drive’s micro-code using a
firmware upgrade cartridge, and completion of a head-cleaning cycle when
using a cleaning cartridge. These ejects can result in both the automation
controller and the tape drive losing track of the location of the cartridge.
We recommend configuration of the upgrade protect features enabled (the
Upgrade Protect bit of the Set Drive Configuration command is set to 1). This
will ensure that if a firmware upgrade cartridge is loaded inadvertently, the
drive’s micro-code will not be upgraded unnecessarily.
If requested, HP will alter the default settings for Auto-Eject, Auto-Load, Auto-
Thread, Clean Protect, and Upgrade Protect features in your particular
variant of the firmware.
Recommended Get Drive Status Polling Frequency
It is recommended that the polling frequency of a Get Drive Status command
should be in the range 2–5s, particularly during cartridge loading and
unloading. This frequency should be sufficient to capture state changes in the