Understanding Autoloader Features

The autoloader is a SCSI-2 Low-Voltage Differential (LVD) data storage device that incorporates a Benchmark Storage Innovations DLT vs80 tape drive and eight tape slots. The autoloader operates as a single SCSI device with two Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs), one for the tape drive (0) and the other for the autoloader robotics (1). The autoloader uses up to eight DLTtape IV data cartridges, providing a maximum formatted capacity of 640 Gigabytes and a sustained data transfer rate as high as 360 MB per minute, assuming a 2:1 compression ratio.

The autoloader is compatible with most operating systems and environments that support the SCSI interface, but requires either direct support from the operating system or a compatible backup application to take full advantage of its many features.

SCSI Requirements

The autoloader incorporates a wide SCSI-2, Low-Voltage Differential (LVD) SCSI bus, but may also be attached to a Single-Ended (SE) SCSI bus. Make sure your SCSI host adapter or controller supports these standards. If you connect the autoloader to an SE SCSI bus or if there are SE devices attached to the same SCSI bus, the autoloader’s performance is limited to the maximum data transfer speed and maximum cable lengths of the SE bus. The autoloader is NOT compatible with a standard differential (Diff) SCSI bus, also know as High-Voltage Differential (HVD) SCSI. The autoloader is compatible with a narrow (50-pin) SCSI bus using a customer-supplied 68-pin to 50-pin adapter that terminates the unused 18 pins. These adapters are sometimes labeled high-byte termination.

Chapter 1

Installing the Autoloader

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