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Tape Alert
TapeAlert is a tape drive status monitoring and messaging
utility that makes it easy to detect problems which could have an impact on
backup quality. From the use of worn-out tapes to defects in the drive hardware
TapeAlert provides easy-to-understand warnings of errors as they arise, and
suggests a course of action to remedy the problem.
To take advantage of TapeAlert, you need:
TapeAlert-compatible tape drives
TapeAlert-compatible backup software
How it works
TapeAlert compatible tape drives -
such as the DELL PowerVault 110T SDLT drive - are delivered with TapeAlert features
as standard. The internal TapeAlert firmware constantly monitors the drive hardware
and the media, checking for errors and potential difficulties. Any problems
identified are flagged on a new SCSI log page, where 64 bytes have been reserved
for use by TapeAlert.
After a backup has been completed, the TapeAlert-compatible
backup application automatically reads the drive's TapeAlert SCSI log page to
check for any problems. If an error is flagged, the backup software displays
a clear warning message on the user's monitor screen, and adds the TapeAlert
messages to its logs. These messages are standard across all applications that
support TapeAlert, and are designed to give clear explanation of the problem
and suggested resolution. For example, a user attempting to backup onto a worn-out
tape would encounter the message:
WARNING: The tape cartridge
has reached the end of its useful life:
1. Copy the data you need to another tape
2. Discard the old tape
Errors Monitored
TapeAlert currently checks for errors occurring in the following main categories:
Drive recoverable read problems
Drive recoverable write problems
Drive unrecoverable read problems
Drive unrecoverable write problems
Drive hardware defects
Worn-out media
Wrong media used
Abnormal error conditions
TapeAlert is an advanced technological standard which provides
a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art features and functions. However, it
has also been designed to allow considerable expansion and development in the
future, as new possibilities and opportunities open up.
Summary
TapeAlert allows users and network managers to eliminate unnecessary errors
and ensure that data integrity and security is never compromised. Already gaining
substantial support across the industry, TapeAlert is set to become the established
standard for tape drive management.
