Exabyte EXB-8505 8mm manual Using Scsi Commands, Writing Data, Reading Data, Erasing Data

5Interface Specifications

Using SCSI Commands

This section describes the SCSI commands used to write, read, erase, and search for data, and to copy microcode, inquire about tape drive status, set operating parameters, and perform diagnostic tests.

Writing Data

To transfer bytes or blocks of data from the initiator to the tape drive, use the WRITE (0Ah) command. The data can be written in any of the four supported logical tape formats (two formats for the EXB-8205 and EXB-8205XL), which are specified by the MODE SELECT (15h) command.

To write filemarks or setmarks (8500c format only), use the WRITE

FILEMARKS (10h) command.

Reading Data

To transfer bytes or blocks of data from the tape drive to the initiator, use the READ (08h) command. The tape drive automatically sets itself to the format used when the tape was written and can read tapes that have a combination of fixed-length and variable-length blocks.

Erasing Data

Use the ERASE (19h) command to erase all tape from the current valid tape position to the physical end of tape (PEOT). When the erase operation is successfully completed, the tape is automatically rewound to the logical beginning of tape (LBOT).

5-6	EXB-8205 and EXB-8505	510504
	(Standard and XL)