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third-party 8mm helical scan tapes?

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The Question is:

 
Currently I am involved in supporting a group
with the following hardware/os configuration:
 
VAXcluster - VMS V5.5-2
	- MicroVAX 3600
	  w/GPIB card installed
	- (3) VAXstation 4000-90's
	(firmware on the 4090's is the latest)
	- DLT drive (Digital scsi)
	- TTI 8mm Tape drives (scsi)
	- 9Gb Disk drives (scsi)
This configuration is experiencing severe problems
with the third-party 8mm tape drives.  They
are stuck at VMS V5.5-2 due to software they
run specific to their program (& the GPIB).
 
I am aware of the standard response concerning
third-party scsi devices, however I am hoping
for some suggested paths to take in order to help
them.  They have a large amount of archived data
on the 8mm media and will need a method of
accessing it.  I am particularly wondering if a
more recent version of VMS would handle these
tape devices more reliably.  The error we get
during a backup operation is:
 
input file scan inactive
 
This is found when doing a control-T.
 
Your time is greatly appreciated.
 
Donna M. Turnidge

The Answer is :

 
  Certain SCSI devices are known to have problems -- SCSI is a standard
  collection of optionally implemented features, and not specifically a
  standard.  Integration and testing of SCSI devices can be an involved
  and time-consuming project.  Short of a SCSI bus analyzer or similar
  diagnostic and testing effort, the Wizard cannot determine the specific
  incompatibilities between these 8mm drives and the OpenVMS VAX operating
  system.  (You are receiving the "standard answer" for a reason.)
 
  Depending on the specific 8mm tape format used, it may be possible to
  read these on a supported 8mm drive.  (The TKZ9E was one such drive.)
 
  There are ECOs available for SCSI problems that have been found (and
  fixed) in OpenVMS.  Also for BACKUP problems found.  Contact the 8mm
  drive vendor for assistance with the third-party SCSI drive(s) -- make
  sure the 8mm drives all have the latest (correct) drive firmware from
  the drive vendor.
 
  The Wizard would also recommend checking for TURBOchannel GPIB (IEEE 488)
  interfaces that support OpenVMS VAX versions above V5.5-2, or Alpha PCI
  GPIB interfaces.


  

     
     
answer written or last revised on ( 17-AUG-1998 )

     
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