Unable to read/write to Compaq SDLT 320 drive

[ITeam]

I have the following problem with a Compaq SDLT 320 drive connected to an RX4640 server(HPUX 11.23)...

When I try to read or write to the device with a simple tar, I receive the following:

tar: cannot open /dev/rmt/1m

The drive has been cleaned. It reports this error with various tapes. The tapes are DLT IV's I think. I thought these were compatible?

Additional info:
Hardware path for ...
Tape device: 0/2/1/0.6.0
SCSI C1010 Ultra160 wide LVD A6828-60101: 0/2/1/0

Device file name for SDLT: /dev/rmt/1m (c4t1d0)

There is an Ultrium tape drive on the same SCSI card (/dev/rmt/0m) that works fine.

I am trying to migrate data from an older server onto this new one.

Many thanks.

[RAC_1]

ioscan -fnCtape

Is stape drives in kernel??

kmsystem

Do you see your tape drive as claimed??
do you have device file in place with appropriate perms, If yes, what does

mt -f /dev/rmt/1m stat say??

[Patrick Wallek]

If I recall correctly, the SDLT can only *write* to SDLT tapes. It can read older DLT media, but I don't think it can write to it.

I believe the media you need for this drive is:

C7980A - HP Super DLT tape I data cartridge, 220-320 GB
C7982A - HP SDLT cleaning cartridge

[Patrick Wallek]

OK, I found confirmation. The SDLT drive can only write to SDLT 1 media. It can read, but NOT write, to DLT IV media.

Check the first page of chapter 3 in this manual:
http://h200005.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_201412e2(1)/TPM_201412e2(1).pdf

[ITeam]

Thanks for the comments. The permissions are correct on the device file (crw rw rw).

Output of mt -f /dev/rmt/1m stat:

Drive: COMPAQ SDLT320
Format:
Status: [0]
File: 0
Block: 0

The device is CLAIMED after ioscan.

I do only need to read from the tapes & not write to them.

[ITeam]

I nearly forgot, the kmsystem command is not recognised.

Cheers,

David

[Devender Khatana]

Hi David,

It could be a drive problem. Put you backup media which you want to restore apart to confirm the functionality of the drive. You a new compatible media for that. If it works fine with that then you should try restore using backup media.

HTH,
Devender

[RAC_1]

What DAT you are trying to read?/ DL! , 2??
Check hardware details. Does Compaq SDLT 320 support the tape you are trying to read??

[Sameer_Nirmal]

This drive is provides Backward-read compatibility with DLT Type IV tape cartridges used with DLT1, DLT VS80, DLT 40, DLT 70, and DLT 80 tape drives.

Were those tapes written from one of those kind drives? Are you sure about the format of data is tar?

[ITeam]

The data was written to DLTIV tape on a Quantum DLT 8000.

[Sameer_Nirmal]

I think the /dev/rmt/1m is not at all pointing to the SDLT drive. There is nothing at that instance where 1m is pointing. Hence tar is giving that error.
I guess the required device files would have been created using insf -e . But it is not 1m for sure. You have to check with other device files . If it doesn't work, then we have to create device files.

Refer the following link

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en_US&docId=200000079903371

[Raj D.]

Hi Torex IMP Team,

Pls check out the following:

# ioscan -fnC tape [ check CLAIMED Status ].
# kmsystem -q stape
# lssf /dev/rmt/1m [ check the path should match with ioscan output of the SDLT drive]
# mt -f /dev/rmt/1m status

If all this thing doesnot work , try creating the device file for the SDLT drive , with insf.

Cheers ,
Raj.D
--------

[Raj D.]

Hi Torex ,

Also you have mentioned ,
------------------
Hardware path for ...
Tape device: 0/2/1/0.6.0
SCSI C1010 Ultra160 wide LVD A6828-60101: 0/2/1/0

Device file name for SDLT: /dev/rmt/1m (c4t1d0)

------------------

so it seems that Tape device is at target ID:6 ["Tape device: 0/2/1/0.6.0"]and the , device file name supposed to be : c4t6d0 .

pls check with # lssf /dev/rmt/1m , whether it is correct.

Cheers ,
RajD.
------

[ITeam]

Thanks Raj. I tried the Issf command but it is not recognised. I am struggling to find any info on this.

I recreated the device files using sam but no success when testing.

The device file name was a typing mistake by me. It is listed as c4t6d0.

Cheers.

[Devender Khatana]

Hi,

lssf is located in /usr/sbin and is part of standard os installation.

man lssf for details.

HTH,
Devender

[ITeam]

Sorry, I still cannot get anything from man Issf or /usr/sbin/Issf!

Did a search for it & nothing was found

The OS is HPUX 11.23. I've not come across that command before.

[ITeam]

Hi.

I tried physically disconnecting & reconnecting the device yesterday. There was no change. In fact, upon reboot, the OS now displays 'ERROR: cannot initialize SCSI device'!

Does this sound like the device itself is faulty?

[Devender Khatana]

Hi,

Yes it is quite possible. Can you try by replacing the drive?

HTH,
Devender

[Raj D.]

Hi Torex ,

Seems problem with the SDLT 320 drive , and its unable to initialize on reboot.
And As the other Drive works on the same card ..

Try loggin a HW call, for this drive.

Raj.

[ITeam]

Thanks. I am looking at that now.