derekp@gvlf9-m.gvl.unisys.com (02/12/91)
I am interested in purchasing a tape unit for the 3b1 mainly for the ability to get large sources off of a SUN. To the best of my knowledge, the SUN can only write QIC-24 or QIC-150 tapes. What few people I have talked to, say that the 3b1 tape is a 'fast floppy' format. What is 'fast floppy'? My reading of the manual refers to a 'qt' device driver that I assume comes with the tape unit. It seems that the 'qt' driver can read/write QIC-02 (QIC-II ??) tapes. Can anyone tell me the straight scoop? Is it possible for me to read tapes created on a SUN, on a 3b1 tape system? Is it possible to make a SUN write a QIC-II format tape? If not is there any alternative tape systems available? I would much rather find out BEFORE spending money, than after. Thanks.
mvadh@cbnews.att.com (andrew.d.hay) (02/12/91)
In article <1991Feb11.211146.28794@news.gvl.unisys.com> derekp@gvlf9-m.gvl.unisys.com () writes:
" I am interested in purchasing a tape unit for the 3b1 mainly
" for the ability to get large sources off of a SUN. To the
" best of my knowledge, the SUN can only write QIC-24 or QIC-150
" tapes. What few people I have talked to, say that the 3b1 tape
" is a 'fast floppy' format. What is 'fast floppy'?
" My reading of the manual refers to a 'qt' device driver that
" I assume comes with the tape unit. It seems that the 'qt'
" driver can read/write QIC-02 (QIC-II ??) tapes.
"
" Can anyone tell me the straight scoop? Is it possible for me
" to read tapes created on a SUN, on a 3b1 tape system? Is it
" possible to make a SUN write a QIC-II format tape? If not
" is there any alternative tape systems available? I would much
" rather find out BEFORE spending money, than after.
"
" Thanks.
i don't know what the qic-spec for the 3b1 tape is, but its capacity
is 23M/tape and it's driven off a modified floppy disk controller.
it's also quite rare and expensive. the tape in the 3b2/300 & 400 is
compatible.
you might have better luck trying to find an ethernet interface for
your 3b1.
--
Andrew Hay +------------------------------------------------------+
Ragged Individualist | JAAAAAAANE! |
AT&T-BL Ward Hill MA | HOW DO YOU STOP THIS CRAZY THING? |
a.d.hay@att.com +------------------------------------------------------+pusateri@duke.cs.duke.edu (Thomas J. Pusateri) (02/13/91)
In article <1991Feb11.211146.28794@news.gvl.unisys.com> derekp@gvlf9-m.gvl.unisys.com () writes: > > Can anyone tell me the straight scoop? Is it possible for me > to read tapes created on a SUN, on a 3b1 tape system? Is it > possible to make a SUN write a QIC-II format tape? If not From the SunOS 4.1 st man page: For QIC-24 tape devices (Emulex MT-02 and Sysgen SC4000): /dev/rst[0-3] QIC-11 Format /dev/rst[8-11] QIC-24 Format /dev/rst[16-20] QIC-24 Format /dev/rst[24-28] QIC-24 Format /dev/nrst[0-3] non-rewinding QIC-11 Format /dev/nrst[8-11] non-rewinding QIC-24 Format /dev/nrst[16-19] non-rewinding QIC-24 Format /dev/nrst[24-27] non-rewinding QIC-24 Format Note: The QIC-24 format is preferred over QIC-11 for Sun-3, Sun-3x, Sun-4, and Sun386i systems. In summary, on the older shoebox tape drives, writing to rst0 gave you QIC-11 while writing to rst8 gave you QIC-24. You can read from either device and it will automatically switch to the write format. If your 3b1 can write QIC-11 you should be in business! Tom Pusateri pusateri@nbsr.duke.edu