VS160 Firmware update (v50) for Linux - IBM System x3655 (7943, 7985)

Download Description

• New IBM xSeries firmware and device driver file naming convention

Note: You now have two ways of downloading files with the *.sh extension. You can use either the IBM Download Director, or the HTTP protocol to download these files. Do NOT use FTP as this will only cause the file to open your browser.

Change history

Version 50

Changes made to the IBM VS160 tape drive firmware from version 34 to version 50.

1. If a Locate command terminates on End of Data, a subsequent write type command will fail.
2. A non-zero count field (bytes 2-4) on a Space End of Data command will cause drive to fail.
3. Send Diagnostics command with PF=1 (byte 1, bit 4) and Parameter List Length=0 (bytes 3-4) will create a check condition.
4. If a SDLT cartridge is loaded and the drive is powered off just as the load process begins and proper tension has not yet been achieved, upon power-on the drive will hang.
5. A timing condition exists where if the take-up reel is stopped just after the leader is unhooked, the drive will fail.
6. Enhance bus reset detection and write abort handling.
7. ERASE command on a write-protected tape could cause drive to fail.
8. If the drive is in a condition where on a power loss during loading the takeup reel can stop prior to the supply reel, the continuing supply reel motion can allow the cartridge buckle and drive leader to separate.
9. Compression can be inadvertently enabled if a MODE SELECT is issued with default density.
10. Drive may fail if parity errors during WRITE command.
11. Drive may fail if parity errors during INQUIRY command.
12. Drive does not come ready while mid-tape loading.
13. Fix for rare write command hang.
14. Better abort processing for the condition where an abort is already in progress.
15. Busy forever problem.
16. Enhance error recovery procedure during unload, can now take up to 13 minutes on error recovery plus time out on tape.
17. Fix for low yield power supply causing drive to warm start numerous times, resulting in EEROM losing some settings.
18. During a load, if the supply reel is allowed to spin freely while attempting to pop the leader off the hook and the leader is dropped, both reels will spin uncontrollably causing drive hang.
19. A late cartridge brake release can cause a valid cartridge to be rejected after the tape was loaded.
20. A new algorithm was designed to prevent the drive from ejecting a threaded cartridge, preventing stuck cartridges and damaged tapes.
21. If the tape is loaded and the tape breaks the take-up reel and supply reel will spin uncontrollably causing a hang.
22. This fix addresses the problem when the drive collapses the cartridge buckle into the cartridge during an unload operation. This would result in a dropped leader or a stuck cartridge.
23. Fixes problem where drive may reject a valid VS1 tape.