SCSD Tape Drive Service Aid

This service aid allows you to obtain the status or maintenance information from a SCSD tape drive. Not all models of SCSD tape drive are supported.

The service aid provides the following options:

vDisplay time since a tape drive was last cleaned. The time since the drive was last cleaned displays on the screen, as well as a message regarding whether the drive is recommended to be cleaned.

vCopy a tape drive's trace table. The trace table of the tape drive is written to diskettes or a file. The diskettes must be formatted for DOS. Writing the trace table may require several diskettes. The actual number of diskettes is determined by the size of the trace table. Label the diskettes as follows:

TRACEx.DAT (where x is a sequential diskette number). The complete trace table consists of the sequential concatenation of all the diskette data files.

When the trace table is written to a disk file, the service aid prompts for a file name. The default name is: /tmp/TRACE.x, where x is the AIX name of the SCSD tape drive being tested.

vDisplay or copy a tape drive's log sense information. The service aid provides options to display the log sense information to the screen, to copy it to a DOS formatted diskette, or to copy it to a file. The file name LOGSENSE.DAT is used when the log sense data is written to the diskette. The service aid prompts for a file name when you have selected that the log sense data is to be copied to a file.

This service aid can be run directly from the AIX command line. See the following command syntax (path is /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/utape):

utape [-h -?] [-d device] [-n -l -t]

OR

utape -c -d device [-v] {-n {-l -t} { -D -f [ filename]}}

Flag Description

-cRun the service aid without displaying menus. The return code indicates success or failure. The output is suppressed except for the usage statement and the numeric value for hours since cleaning (if -nand -Dflags are used).

-DCopy data to diskette.

-fCopy data to the file name given after this flag or to a default file name if no name is specified.

-h,-?Display a usage statement and/or return code. If the -cflag is present, only the return code displays to indicate the service aid did not run. If the -cis not used, a usage statement displays and the service aid exits.

-lDisplay or copy log sense information.

-nDisplay time since drive was last cleaned.

-tCopy trace table.

-vVerbose mode. If the -cflag is present, the information displays on the screen. If the -nflag is present, the information about tape-head cleaning is printed.

134Eserver pSeries 690 User's Guide

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IBM pSeries690 manual Scsd Tape Drive Service Aid, Flag Description
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pSeries690 specifications

The IBM pSeries690, also known as the IBM eServer p690, is a high-performance server within IBM's line of Power Systems, designed primarily for enterprise-level workloads. Launched in the early 2000s, it distinguished itself as one of IBM's flagship offerings, aimed at delivering exceptional scalability, reliability, and processing power.

At the heart of the pSeries690 is the IBM POWER4 processor, a revolutionary architecture that significantly enhanced processing capabilities. The system supports multiple processor configurations, allowing businesses to customize performance based on their specific applications. Each pSeries690 can be configured with up to 32 POWER4 processors, providing a maximum processing power that is well-suited for demanding enterprise applications, complex databases, and large-scale transaction processing.

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Networking capabilities of the pSeries690 are enhanced by support for high-speed connections, including Gigabit Ethernet and the ability to integrate with various network topologies. This versatility facilitates seamless connectivity in complex IT environments.

In conclusion, the IBM pSeries690 remains a powerful and reliable choice for enterprises seeking to manage and optimize their most demanding workloads. Its combination of cutting-edge processing capabilities, expansive memory support, and robust virtualization features makes it a significant player in the realm of enterprise computing. As businesses continue to evolve, the core strengths of the pSeries690, especially in terms of scalability and reliability, ensure that it continues to meet the needs of demanding applications.
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