Supporting Ultrium features46
HP restricted
process and that the normal power-up ACI command sequence is followed to ensure that the drive is
configured correctly and to verify the firmware version and ACI version.
Firmware upgrade via the primary host interface
The library controller will not have direct visibility if a firmware upgrade of the tape drive is initiated
via SCSI, hence it is recommended that the controller monitors for the that a firmware upgrade is
taking place or has taken place.
• While the firmware image is being sent to the drive via SCSI, the drive responds to ACI
commands with status
BUSY.
• When the drive is actually upgrading the firmware, it will not respond to ACI commands.
• When the firmware download is complete, the drive will reset itself and send an ENQ control
character.
It is recommended that the same ACI command sequence be followed as if the drive had been
power-cycled to ensure that the drive is configured correctly and to verify the firmware version and
ACI protocol version.
Firmware upgrade via ACI
Two methods exist for updating firmware via ACI:
• Using the Send Firmware Image command. The automation controller sends the firmware image
in one data burst outside a normal packet.
• Using the Send Firmware Segment command. The automation controller sends the firmware
image in multiple packets.
HP intends to make the Send Firmware Image command obsolete in a future version of the ACI.
Please use the Send Firmware Segment command in all new development. See the ACI specification
for further details of both commands.
When the firmware download is complete, the drive will reset itself and send an ENQ control
character. It is recommended that the same ACI command sequence be followed as if the drive had
been power-cycled to ensure that the drive is configured correctly and to verify the firmware version
and ACI version.
Library firmware upgrade via tape
The ACI specification allows for upgrading the automation controller firmware via tape. This
functionality is not supported in current releases of drive firmware and will be added at a later date
subject to customer needs.
Handling irregular cartridges
The purpose of this section is to indicate what can be seen over the ACI protocol if the host issues a
MOVE MEDIUM command to the library when an irregular cartridge (such as a cleaning cartridge,
expired cleaning cartridge, Ultrium 4 cartridge, or defective data cartridge) is in the storage
element.
The following descriptions assume that the auto-eject bit in the Set Drive Configuration command
has been set to 0 so that the cartridge will not be ejected from the drive unless an ACI Unload
command is issued with the Eject bit set to 1.
