3Preventive Maintenance

The only routine maintenance required by the tape drive is regular cleaning of the tape drive heads and tape path. Use only an Exabyte or Exabyte-approved 8mm Cleaning Cartridge. Proper storage and maintenance of your data cartridges will maximize the shelf life of your tapes and assure data integrity.

Important

Using a cleaning method other than the Exabyte 8mm Cleaning Cartridge or an Exabyte-approved cleaning cartridge will void the warranty for the tape drive and can lead to premature head wear.

Determining When to Clean the Tape Drive

You should clean the tape drive’s heads and tape path after every 30 tape motion hours. This cleaning frequency is independent of the format in which you write and read data. However, if you are using the tape drive in a particularly dirty environment, or if you operate it infrequently, you may want to clean the tape drive more often than every 30 tape motion hours.

Some backup software programs may notify you when the tape drive needs cleaning. Refer to the documentation for your backup software for more information.

Note: The tape drive keeps track of its tape motion hours internally. To determine when the tape drive needs to be cleaned, issue a REQUEST SENSE (03h) command and look at the setting of the CLN and CLND bits (byte 21, bits 3 and 4). If the CLN bit is set to 1, the tape drive needs to be cleaned. This bit is reset to 0 when you perform a successful cleaning cycle. The CLND bit is set to 1 when the tape drive has been cleaned and is reset to 0 when the next REQUEST SENSE command is received.

December 1993

EXB-8500/EXB-8500c

29

Page 28 Page 30
Page 29
Image 29
Exabyte EXB-8500c 8mm manual Preventive Maintenance, Determining When to Clean the Tape Drive
Page 28 Page 30

EXB-8500, EXB-8500c 8mm specifications

The Exabyte EXB-8500c is a prominent member of the Exabyte tape drive family, well-regarded for its reliability and high data storage capacity. Introduced in the mid-1990s, this 8mm tape drive is designed for applications needing efficient data backup and archival solutions. With its impressive technology and features, the EXB-8500c has become a staple in many businesses and organizations looking for dependable data management tools.

One of the key characteristics of the EXB-8500c is its ability to store a significant amount of data. The drive can accommodate up to 20 GB of uncompressed data per tape, and with compression technologies, this can increase up to 40 GB, making it ideal for large data storage needs. This makes the EXB-8500c perfect for critical data storage and backup operations.

The EXB-8500 is built on advanced technology allowing it to achieve high transfer rates of up to 6 MB/s when using high-capacity 8mm tapes. This performance is crucial for businesses that require fast data retrieval and backup to ensure minimal downtime during critical operations. The robust design of the EXB-8500c contributes to its durability; it can withstand the demanding environments of data centers and corporate instances, proving its reliability over time.

Another key feature of the EXB-8500c is its compatibility with various operating systems, including UNIX, Windows, and NetWare, expanding its usability across a range of platforms. The drive’s compatibility allows organizations to integrate it into existing systems without significant changes or operations downtime.

Additionally, the EXB-8500c utilizes a scripted command set for error correction, ensuring data integrity during the writing and reading processes. This technology reduces the chances of data loss or corruption, which is a critical consideration for businesses handling sensitive information.

The EXB-8500c is also designed for ease of use with features such as automatic tape loading and unloading capabilities, facilitating faster data backups and restores. Its user-friendly interface allows operators to manage and monitor tape usage effortlessly, making it an excellent choice even for those with limited technical expertise.

In conclusion, the Exabyte EXB-8500c 8mm tape drive stands out with its high storage capacity, impressive data transfer rates, compatibility across platforms, and advanced error correction technologies. These features have solidified its place in the data storage marketplace, making it a trusted solution for organizations looking to safeguard their valuable information.
Top Page Image Contents