HHLTO1 Firmware Update - IBM eServer xSeries 100

Download Description

Version P63I

This release note summarizes the firmware changes made to the IBM HH LTO1 drive firmware from version P53I to version P63I.

Change Highlights

• LTO4 recognition issue
• Add WORM media info to event log
• Improve tape positioning
• Improve load and unload
• Eliminate some stuck tape issues
• Improve read performance

Change Details

1. The Ultrium LTO4 specification calls for a new Cartridge Memory (CM) with 8k capacity, rather then the 4k CM used on current LTO products. This changes the transponder type from 0x0001 to 0x0002. Previously existing code does not recognise this new transponder type and will refuse to read from the CM, when an LTO4 cartridge is loaded in an older LTO drive. This causes a load of an LTO4 cartridge to be threaded in an attempt to read rather then being ejected straight away. Even though LTO4 media are not compatible with previous generation LTO drives, we recognize that there is a possibility end users may use them by accident, hence are introducing this fix.
2. In previous code versions, media load details such as load count, thread count, serial number and barcode (if any) were reported in the event log on a load of a data tape. This code version extends this functionality to report this information in the event of a load of any WORM media as well.
3. Improvement to drive performance by changing the spacing algorthm.
4. This code version introduces read performance improvements when reading varying length blocks.
5. This code version introduces further performance improvements when reading non-512 byte boundary records.
6. This code version resolves an issue where the drive could position to the wrong place in response to a “Locate” command.
7. This code version introduces a new & better set of tuning values into 3 of the existing read retries (the 4th, 5th and 6th retries), and also ensures that those retries are also performed at the minimum ATS speed, something else shown to be beneficial in the ability to gain better read performance.
8. This code version introduces a fix which caters for a corner case scenario, where an offtrack occurs while writing the End of Data (EoD) that precedes the Long Erase.
9. This code version introduces a new mode page 3Bh that allows the drive serial number to be changed in library installations.
10. Resolves some miscellaneous issues related to cartridge present sensor.
11. Resolves some miscellaneous issues related to loading/unloading and stuck cartridges.
12. In previous code revisions, if a half height drive powered-up with a broken tape and then a forced eject was invoked, the cartridge would get ejected as per normal, but then the drive would not accept a manual load.