I've just installed an Archive Python 4586NP, and I notice that
Seagate's information on the system says I can treat the 4-tape
magazine as a single 16GB tape (from
<http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/tape/dal_op1.html#sequent_mode>).
The drive can operate in a sequential mode that will appear
to the software as a standard drive with an 8 to 32 GB tape
loaded (depending on the specific drive and tape loaded). An
eject tape command will cause the tape to eject and the
magazine to unload. This should work with most software that
supports a standard DAT drive, but is not a supported
configuration with our software that does explicitly list the
autoloaders as supported. This mode normally requires that
the magazine be inserted into the drawer and allowed to run
its own initialization. If you manually step tapes, it will
no longer be in sequential mode.
I'm using FreeBSD 4.3 with the following two devices:
sa0 at ahc0 bus 0 target 5 lun 0
sa0: <ARCHIVE Python 28849-XXX 4.CM> Removable
Sequential Access SCSI-2 device
sa0: 5.000MB/s transfers (5.000MHz, offset 15)
no B_DEVMAGIC (bootdev=0xffffff00)
ch0 at ahc0 bus 0 target 5 lun 1
ch0: <ARCHIVE Python 28849-XXX 4.CM> Removable Changer
SCSI-2 device
ch0: 5.000MB/s transfers (5.000MHz, offset 15)
ch0: 4 slots, 1 drive, 1 picker, 0 portals
I was able to use some chio commands, but I realize that this is
not what I need to do if I want to use this mode of operation.
Has anyone else here had success with this drive and the
above-described operation?
Mark.
--
ommnes exeunt in mysterium
All Things Lead into Mystery
