Testing Tape Devices

The Standard and Custom tests for tape devices consist of the following four basic test types:

·      Initialization Test—This test issues Test Unit Ready, Standard Inquiry, Rewind Tape, and Save and Reset Log Page Parameters commands. The Rewind command rewinds the tape to the beginning.

·      Buffer Test—This test issues Write Buffer/Read Buffer commands to the device.

·      Write/Read Test—The Read test allows blocks of data to be viewed. The Write test allows you to write data to any accessible byte and block on the drive.

·      Filemark Test—This test is used to separate data. It can also be used at the beginning of tape to set the density of certain devices. These devices function by positioning to the beginning of tape, detecting the density of the data in the block following, and then automatically switching to the detected density.

The Space command causes a tape device to space forward a specified number of filemarks, allowing you to skip datasets and position the tape exactly where you want it.