Exabyte 1X7 LTO 108, Backup Software Reports AN Error, Failure to Communicate with the Tape Drive

CHAPTER 8—TROUBLESHOOTING

If you install either an LTO-2 or LTO-3 tape drive in the autoloader, you must connect the correct terminator to avoid the above issues. The terminator must be a high-quality active LVD terminator that complies with the SCSI-3 specification. An appropriate terminator will be stamped with Ultra 3 or LVD 160, as well as “Active Negation.”

Failure symptoms include:

Read/Write failure Bus hangs

Connectivity issues—tape drive not seen on bus or drops off bus Command failures—commands to this device may fail while commands to other devices on the bus may work properly

BACKUP SOFTWARE REPORTS AN ERROR

Your backup software may report an error as a result of a failure to communicate with the tape drive or autoloader, a failure by the tape drive to write or read data, or because of a software configuration issue.

FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE TAPE DRIVE

Communication problems on the SCSI bus may be reported by the backup application as resets, a loss of communication with the tape drive or autoloader, failure to detect the tape drive, I/O device errors, or parity errors. These types of errors may occur intermittently.

If you have a SCSI autoloader, check the autoloader’s installation on the

SCSI bus, described in “Connecting the Autoloader to SCSI” on page 15.

If you have an Ethernet connection to your autoloader, check the autoloader’s Ethernet connection, described in “Connecting the Autoloader to Ethernet” on page 18.

Use LibTool and LTOTool to capture the diagnostic logs from the autoloader and the tape drive immediately after an error is reported by your backup software. See “Advanced Troubleshooting” on page 112 for information. Technical Support can examine the log to determine the nature of the reported error.

FAILURE BY THE TAPE DRIVE TO WRITE OR READ DATA

If your backup software reports a media error, one of the following situations may have occurred:

The tape drive needs cleaning (see “Cleaning the Tape Drive” on page 70).

Always try cleaning the tape drive before you assume the cartridge is bad.

Be sure to use an LTO Cleaning Cartridge.

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PRODUCT MANUAL 1012581