Tape Libraries
Sony Tape Tool for Solaris (x86)
Read before downloading - readme_sonytape_solaris_x86_v3.5.txt
Go GREEN with Sony AIT Program
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3rd Party Software Vendor Contact Information
Listed below is some third party software vendor's contact information for your reference. Sony makes no warranties or representations as to this document’s accuracy and Sony specifically disclaims any liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Third Party Software:
Is there a recommended cleaning interval for AIT Tape Drives?
Occasional use of an AIT Cleaning Cartridge will remove environment dust that collects on the head area of the tape drum. AIT AME tape does not create contamination from tape, unlike the way MP tape media does. However, heads can be contaminated by environmental dust. Thus, occasional head cleaning is recommended for all AIT tape drives (about once every 100 hours of use).
Why does the backup program fail or incorrectly exclude some files after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows XP Hotfix KB842773?
After installing Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows XP Hotfix KB842773, some backup applications may fail or incorrectly exclude some files.
Please refer to the following links for knowledge base articles for support on this issue.
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 883357:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=883357
1Safe Software Support Notice for Windows XP Users:
Why Am I getting an "Error on a Request to Write Data to Media" error message when I use Ntbackup.exe on Windows 2003 Server?
Please see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 817688 for explaination and apply recommended HotFix.
Is the Sony AIT WORM tape drive read/write also compatible with rewritable media?
Yes. The Sony AIT WORM tape drive is compatible with rewritable media.
Why is it recommended that tape devices should not be connected to RAID controllers?
If a slow device (that is, a tape or tape library device), is connected to a high-speed, wide bus controller, the result will be anything from intermittent tape hardware errors such as "bad data" and CRC errors to "unable to space to end of data" errors and complete SCSI bus locks or resets. A bus reset may require a restart to get the tape device functionality returned to the system. This behavior is significantly increased when a RAID controller is the card of choice.
RAID controllers are capable of controlling multiple disk drives and they are, by nature, in a constant state of activity. This perpetual activity causes the tape device to "get lost" on the bus. In addition, RAID controllers are high speed, wide busses which have trouble communicating accurately with low speed, bus devices such as tape devices unless termination is very carefully done. Even under the circumstance of proper termination, the above mentioned errors will prevent reliable and successful device operations.
For these reasons, most controller manufacturers recommend that tape hardware not be placed on the same SCSI bus as the local hard drives, and that drive arrays should not share a RAID controller with tape hardware. Always consult the controller card manufacturer's recommendations when troubleshooting or planning a tape hardware configuration.
About how long is the media life?
Based on media life experiments, it is estimated to be over 30 years, similar to other current tape media.
Courtesy of www.aittape.com
What happens if an 8mm cartridge other than an AIT tape cartridge is inserted into an AIT tape drive?
The AIT tape drive will (but not always) eject the cartridge as unsupported media.
Courtesy of www.aittape.com