TapeAlert error reporting
TapeAlert error reporting is an industry standard that provides a status monitoring and problem detection capability for tape devices with the fibre interface in an Open Systems environment. The TapeAlert interface is implemented with up to 64 alert flags that are read by the host from the device using log sense page 0x2e. Some of the flags are mandatory and must be supported by the tape drive. The remainder are non-mandatory flags and can be unsupported. Tape Alerts are presented in decimal format. All flags at the drive are cleared at Power On Reset (POR).
The 3592 drive supports the TapeAlert flags in Table 1 that were developed for tape drive/autoloader devices:
| No. | Flag | Description | Customer Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read warning | The tape drive is having problems with reading data. No data was lost, but there was a reduction in the performance of the tape. | See Media/hardware problem isolation to isolate fault between drive and media. |
| 2 | Write warning | The tape drive is having problems with writing data. No data was lost, but there was a reduction in the capacity of the tape. | See Media/hardware problem isolation to isolate fault between drive and media. |
| 3 | Hard error | This flag is set for any unrecoverable read/write/positioning error, and is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive (this flag is set with flags 4, 5, or 6). | Determine if flag 4, 5, or 6 exists; follow actions for those flags. |
| 4 | Media | This flag is set for any unrecoverable read/write/positioning error that is because of faulty media, and is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | If possible, copy any data you require from the tape, then discard media. If failure persists, call for service. |
| 5 | Read failure | This flag is set for any unrecoverable read error where the isolation is uncertain and the failure could be either faulty media or faulty drive hardware. It is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | See Media/hardware problem isolation to isolate the problem. Discard media if identified as faulty. If failure persists, call for service. |
| 6 | Write failure | This flag is set for any unrecoverable write/positioning error where the isolation is uncertain and the failure could be either faulty media or faulty drive hardware. It is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | See Media/hardware problem isolation to isolate the problem. Discard media if identified as faulty. If failure persists, call for service. |
| 7 | Media life | The tape cartridge reached the end of its calculated, useful life (EOL). |
|
| 8 | Not data grade | The tape cartridge is not data-grade. Any data you back up to the tape is at risk. The flag is set when severe servo problems are detected when loading a cartridge. | Discard media. If failure persists, call for service. |
| 9 | Write protect | This flag is set when the tape drive detects that the tape cartridge is physically write-protected and device driver sees a write command. It is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | Set write-protect selector on cartridge to write-enable. Ensure that cartridge is not logically protected. If problem persists, call for service. |
| 10 | No removal | This flag is set when an unload is attempted and SCSI Prevent Media Removal is set to ON. This flag is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | Operator procedure error or customer software error. |
| 11 | Cleaning media | This flag is set when a cleaning tape is loaded into the drive. It is cleared when the cleaning cartridge is removed from the drive. | None. Status message only. |
| 12 | Unsupported format | This flag is set when a non-supported cartridge type is loaded into the drive. It is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. Can also be caused by FMR tape that is loaded for read/write. | Remove invalid cartridge. If problem persists call for service. |
| 14 | Unrecoverable snapped tape | The operation failed because the tape in the drive snapped. The operator cannot remove the tape and must call for service. | Call for service. |
| 15 | Memory chip in cartridge | The memory in the tape cartridge failed. | Do not use the cartridge for further backup operation. |
| 16 | Forced eject | This flag is set when a tape cartridge was manually removed. | None. Status message only. |
| 17 | Read-only format | This flag is set when a read-only formatted tape is loaded into the drive. It is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | None. Status message only. |
| 18 | Tape directory corrupted on load | This flag is set when the tape drive detects that the directory was corrupted. It is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | Operator action required. Directory may be rebuilt by reading all the data on the cartridge. The tape drive must access some or all of the data on the tape media to rebuild the tape directory. To allow the tape drive to quickly rebuild, issue a Space or Locate to EOD (End of Data) request. The cartridge contains redundant versions of the tape directory. This operation completes in a few minutes. But if the Cartridge Memory (CM) directory is invalid and the tape is full, this operation can take up to 2 hours to allow for the linear processing of all records on tapes. |
| 19 | Nearing media life | Tape cartridge is nearing its specified end-of-life. |
|
| 20 | Clean now | This flag is set when the tape drive detects it needs cleaning (performance problem) and is cleared when the drive is successfully cleaned. | Clean the drive at the earliest convenience if not done automatically (done automatically with library manager). |
| 21 | Clean periodic | This flag is set when the tape drive detects it needs routine cleaning (based on usage) and is cleared when the drive is successfully cleaned. | Clean the drive between jobs if not done automatically (done automatically with library manager). |
| 22 | Expired cleaning media | Replace the cleaning cartridge with a new one. This condition is set after an unsuccessful clean cycle. It is cleared when the next cleaning is attempted. | Replace the cleaning cartridge. |
| 23 | Invalid cleaning cartridge | The drive expects a cleaning cartridge to be loaded, and the loaded cartridge is not a valid cleaning cartridge. | Use a valid cleaning cartridge. |
| 25 | Dual-port interface error | A redundant Fibre interface port on the tape drive failed. | Call for service. |
| 26 | Cooling fan failure | A tape drive or power supply cooling fan failed. | Call for service. |
| 27 | Power supply | Power supply failed | Call for service. |
| 30 | Hardware A | Hardware fault when reading or writing. Reset drive and retry job. | Call for service. |
| 31 | Hardware B | This flag is set when the tape drive fails its internal Power-On-Self-Tests (POST), and is not cleared until the drive is powered OFF. | Call for service. |
| 32 | Interface | This flag is set when the tape drive detects a problem with the Fibre interface. It is cleared when the drive is powered OFF. | Call for service. |
| 33 | Eject media | This flag is set when a failure occurs that requires the tape cartridge to be ejected from the drive and retried. The flag is cleared when the cartridge is removed from the drive. | Try different media. If problem persists, call for service. |
| 34 | Download fail | This flag is set when an FMR image is unsuccessfully downloaded to the tape drive with the SCSI, Fibre, or RS-422 interface. It is cleared when the drive is powered off or a successful microcode update is completed. | Call for service. |
| 36 | Drive temperature | Drive temperature sensor indicates that the drive is too hot. | Call for service. |
| 37 | Drive voltage | This flag is set when the drive detects power supply voltages outside of the specified voltage limits. It is cleared when the drive is powered off. | Call for service. |
| 38 | Predictive failure | A hardware failure of the tape drive is predicted. | When it is convenient, call for service. |
| 39 | Diagnostics required | This flag is set when a tape cartridge or drive FID or ATTN DRV message is posted and some further isolation for media or hardware is needed. It is cleared when the drive is powered off. | Call for service. |
| 50 | Lost statistics | Media statistics were lost at some time in the past. | None. Status message only. |
| 51 | Tape directory invalid at unload | The tape directory on the tape cartridge just unloaded was corrupted. File search performance is degraded. | Operator action required. Directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data on the cartridge. |
| 52 | Tape system area write failure | The tape just unloaded could not write its volume control region (VCR) successfully. | Try another tape. |
| 53 | Tape system area read failure | The tape VCR could not be read successfully at load time. | Try another tape. |
| 54 | No start of data | The start of data could not be found on the tape. | Try another tape. |
| 55 | Load failure | Operation failed because the media cannot be loaded and threaded. | Remove tape, try another tape. If problem persists, call for service. |
| 57 | Interface | This flag is set when the tape drive detects a problem with the RS-422 (LDI) interface. It is cleared when the drive is powered OFF, or a successful microcode update is completed. | Call for service. |
| 58 | Firmware failure | Operation failed because of microcode problem. | Call for service. |