Seagate STT8000A manual Typical system configurations, Minicartridge technology overview

Chapter 1 Introduction

Typical system configurations

The Enhanced IDE standard supports up to four ATAPI peripherals: two devices on the primary port and two devices on the secondary port. Of the two devices, one must be slave to the other, which is the master. Figure 1-3 shows sample configurations for two ATAPI systems.

Figure 1-3

Sample ATAPI configurations

Computer	Enhanced
system	IDE
	controller

Computer	Enhanced
system	IDE
	controller
	Acculogic
	IDE
	controller

Primary	Hard
	disc
IDE bus

Secondary

IDE bus

Primary	Hard
	disc
IDE bus

Secondary STT20000A

IDE bus

CD-ROM (master)

STT20000A

(slave)

Minicartridge technology overview

Having evolved from the original mass-storage medium—reel-to-reel, 1/2-inch tape storage—the minicartridge technology of today offers fast, efficient, high-capacity storage in a compact, easy-removable hard-shell package. In little more than a decade, storage capacities have increased from some 60 Mbytes on 9 tracks (QIC- 24, 1982) to the to the 8-Gbyte capacity achievable with the STT8000 minicartridge drive on a single Travan TR-4 cartridge.

The streaming-tape intelligence in the STT8000A provides a continuous tape motion with an uninterrupted, precisely coordinated flow of data to and from the minicartridge. This "streaming" motion combined with the "serpentine" recording method is one element that contributes to the increased storage capacities, efficiency, and speed of today's minicartridge technology.

Use of the "serpentine" recording method exploits the bi-directional capabilities of the cartridge. With this method, the tape is not rewound at the end of a track.

Page 4 STT8000A Product Manual