SUMMARY: TZ87 stacker eject ioctl(2)

From: Ed Mehlschau <em_at_icess.ucsb.edu>
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 96 20:30:00 -0700

No one sent me an ioctl(2) that could do the job, but there were a
number of interesting replies with some alternatives to pursue.

Thanks to everyone that took the time to respond!

-- Ed

------- The original question:

> Anyone know of an ioctl(2) I can do on a TZ87 stacker that will cause
> the tape magazine to be ejected? Or a utility I can call that uses
> it? "mt -f ... offline" only causes the stacker to load the next
> tape.

------- Forwarded Messages (Edited)

From: alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 14:23:04 -0600

        The word "magazine" applied to the TZ87x family of loaders
        refers the carrier that holds the tapes. Neither drive
        has any sort of pushing device to force the magazine out
        of the loader. Given the alternate definition, could you
        redescribe the problem.

        If you want to unload a tape, without loading the next tape,
        there is a firmware bit in the EEPROM that controls this
        feature on the TZ88x and TZ87x loaders. To change the bit
        you have to send a SCSI Mode Select command with the
        appropriate parameter list. It isn't easy, but it can be
        done with ioctl. It is also far easier than getting the
        mode page with this parameter on it, since that requires
        using the SCSI CAM User Agent interface.

        For general tape manipulation, take look at the Media Robot
        Utility. I can send you copy of the V1.1 SPD (Postscript
        or text).

------- Message 2

From: Jo Knox <fxjwk_at_aurora.alaska.edu>
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 14:25:13 -0800 (AKDT)

I don't think eject is software controlled, but it would be handy if so!
Let me know if you get a positive response on this; I'd like to use it!
jo

------- Message 3

From: alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 96 17:05:51 -0600

        Oh, if you want an I/O control to open the door (the
        eject button on the TZ877, the open door button the
        TZ875), I doubt there would be one, since there doesn't
        seem to be a SCSI command to do this. This has never
        stopped vendors from borrowing one that was remotely
        suitable...

------- Message 4

From: bouchard_l_at_decus.fr (Louis Bouchard - Bouygues Telecom)
From: rembado_r_at_decus.fr (REGIS REMBADO - BOUYGUES TELECOM)
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 10:12:20 +0200

Hello,

        We have a bunch of TZ877 here and we are using them with Networker. In
order to get NSR to work with a Jukebox, or to get access to commands which wil
give you control over your Jukebox (which is what you want to do I think), you
need to install the kit CLCMC300 which is the "CAM Medium Changer Driver V3.0".

        Once done, don't forget to edit the file /etc/mcicap. My entry looks
like this :

jkb:\
        :mc=/dev/mc29b:\
        :dn=rmt0h:tc=tz877:

# Digital TZ8x7/TZ8x5 DLT Magazine Tape Subsystem
tz857|tz867|tz877|tz875|tz8x7|tz8x5|Digital TZ8x7/TZ8x5:\
        :it=scsi2:dt=tape:ae:re:

        Beware if you are using or have installed the MultiMedia products
because there is a conflict with the CAM utilities. You will have to
de-install MME. There is a specific /dev/MAKEDEV.MC to create the device. For
us, only the /dev/MAKEDEV.MC mc168b seemed to work ! On top of that I had to
edit the script to allow more than 128 device numbers.

        You will then have the 'mcutil' command to operate the TZ877. The key
on the front of the TZ877 must be in "automatic control" with the little icon
that looks like this :

        -->--
        | |
       /\ \/
        | |
        --<-- (Not very great but you get the idea I hope...)

        To see the content of the stacker you use :
# mcutil -Mjkb -e
slot 0 [full,access,source=256] 256
slot 1 [full,access,source=257] 257
slot 2 [empty,access,source=258] 258
slot 3 [full,access,source=259] 259
slot 4 [full,access,source=260] 260
slot 5 [full,access,source=261] 261
slot 6 [full,access,source=262] 262
drive 0 [full,access,source=258] 16
transport 0 [empty,source=258] 1

        This shows you that slot 2 is impty and its tape is loaded in the
reader (drive 0 = full).

        To unload the reader you use :
# mcutil -Mjkb -m d:0 s:2 # (-m) Move (d:0) Drive 0 (s:2) in slot 2

        To load a tape in slot the second slot you would use :

# mcutil -Mjkb -m s:2 d:0 # (-m) Move (s:2) slot 2 in (d:0) Drive 0

        That should get you going...

        Hope it helps
                                        ...Louis
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                | Louis Bouchard
J'aimes que ca cesse quand c'est fini. Quand | Ingenieur Systeme
ca recommence, ca me scie. | bouchard_l_at_decus.fr
                        R. Ducharme | Bouygues Telecom
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

------- Message 5

From: Charlie Joyner <cwj_at_nfuel.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 14:16:49 -0700 (PDT)

We have purchased the MoveMdeia tools from Dallastone to do what I think
you are looking for. There number is 1-603-647-8168 and I talked with
Kevin.

- --
 Charlie W. Joyner | Email: cwj_at_nfuel.com
 Siemens Power Corporation |
 2101 Horn Rapids Road | Phone: (509) 375-8461
 Richland, WA 99352 | Fax: (509) 375-8940

------- End of Forwarded Messages
Received on Thu Aug 01 1996 - 05:51:06 NZST

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