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FAQs

Tape Drive
Q1 Which SCSI interfaces incorporate AIT/DDS?
Q2 How do DDS and DAT differ?
Q3 Is AIT interchangeable with other 8-mm tape formats?
Q4 What operations are possible with MIC (Memory-In-Cassette) AIT data cartridges?
Q5 Are AIT and DDS interchangeable?



Tape Automation
AIT Library LIB-162
Q1 When one drive of the LIB-162/A2 dual-drive specification is executing Read/Write, is it possible to replace the AIT tape in another drive or to execute Read/Write?
Q2 Can the AIT-2 drive and the AIT-3 drive be mixed when using them?
Q3 Can the LIB-162/A2 unit be upgraded to support the AIT-3 drive?
Q4 The SCSI interface of LIB-162 is the LVD/SE specification. Is there any way to connect it to an HVD SCSI?
Q5 How often should I replace the filter in the front of the LIB-162 unit in general?
Q6 How long does it take from a tape being picked up from any rack and being inserted into the drive, until the LIB-162 enters the Ready state?
Q7 If the power switch of the LIB-162 is touched accidentally, will it turn off?
Q8 What is the recommended model of Ultra 160 SCSI PCI board for Windows(R)?
Q9 What weight of objects can be placed on top of the LIB-162?
Q10 In case of installing the LIB-162 in a 19-inch rack cabinet, are any options for rack-mounting needed?
Q11 Does the LIB-162 series need shipping parts when it is transported?

AIT Library LIB-81
Q1 Can the LIB-81 be connected to SE (Single Ended) SCSI HBA?



Server
Network file server FSV-E1
Q1 What is the maximum number of client computers that can be connected?
Q2 How do I update the system software for FSV-E1?
Q3 The server won't start up and the indication "SONY StorStation" remains on the LCD. Is it faulty?
Q4 The server indicates "Checking Filesystems" on the LCD for hours. Is it faulty?
Q5 Can I use this server in a Windows(R) domain environment?

Network backup server BSV-M1
Q1 Media service on ARCserve does not start and Tape Devices can't be detected on ARCserve Web administrator menu.
Q2 A running backup job suspended during operation and can't be aborted or canceled.








Tape Drive
Q1 Which SCSI interfaces incorporate AIT/DDS?
A1 The following SCSI interfaces incorporate AIT/DDS:
AIT SDX-700C (AIT-3) 160 Ultra Wide SCSI SE/LVD
SDX-500C (AIT-2) Ultra Wide SCSI SE/LVD
SDX-400C (AIT-1) Ultra Wide SCSI SE/LVD 
DDS SDT-11000 (DDS-4) Ultra Wide SCSI SE/LVD
SDT-9000 (DDS-3) SCSI-2 fast narrow
SDT-10000 (DDS-4) Ultra Wide SCSI SE
SDT-7000 (DDS-2) SCSI-2 fast narrow
Q2 How do DDS and DAT differ?
A2 DAT is Digital Audio Tape for music recording. DDS, although identical in external appearance and size to DAT, is specialized tape for computer data storage, developed to provide higher recording density, reliability, and precision. The two types are not interchangeable, so DAT music recording tape cannot be used in place of DDS.
Q3 Is AIT interchangeable with other 8-mm tape formats?
A3 In order to prevent data loss due to accidents and to maintain the high reliability of AIT, AIT media are not interchangeable with other 8-mm formats. If a tape of another 8-mm format is inadvertently inserted, an AIT drive will automatically eject it. Also, if an AIT tape is inserted into another 8-mm drive, reading and writing cannot be performed.
Q4 What operations are possible with MIC (Memory-In-Cassette) AIT data cartridges?
A4 AME tape cartridges contain a 64-kbit flash memory called MIC (Memory-In-Cassette). Use of MIC offers the following advantages:
1. Data loading and unloading time is extremely short.
2. Use of the information automatically updated in the system log enables rapid searching for data requiring recovery, reducing the time taken for disaster recovery.
3. A single tape can be divided into partitions, enabling data operations resembling hard disk (nonlinear) operation.
4. MIC is particularly advantageous for libraries containing multiple tapes. Because unloading is possible without rewinding all the way back to the beginning of a tape, data searching is speeded up. This feature also proves effective in HSM (Hierarchical Storage Management). In addition, user areas are provided, enabling necessary information to be freely written on the tape.
Q5 Are AIT and DDS interchangeable?
A5 AIT and DDS are not interchangeable. AIT is a completely new format, which greatly exceeds the specifications of DDS. However, interchangeability of AIT-1 and AIT-2, and (downward) compatibility of AIT-3 and subsequent formats, will be maintained.


Tape Automation
AIT Library LIB-162
Q1 When one drive of the LIB-162/A2 dual-drive specification is executing Read/Write, is it possible to replace the AIT tape in another drive or to execute Read/Write?
A1 It is possible, according to the specification. For details, refer to the third-party software specifications.
Q2 Can the AIT-2 drive and the AIT-3 drive be mixed when using them?
A2 No, they can't, and the software application doesn't support them either.
If you wish to add a drive to the LIB-162/A2, please use the optional ACY-DR162/A2L.
If you wish to add a drive to the LIB-162/A3, please use the optional ACY-DR162/A3L.
Q3 Can the LIB-162/A2 unit be upgraded to support the AIT-3 drive?
A3 Yes, it can. If the LIB-162/A2 unit is the single-drive specification, it can be upgraded by replacing the drive to the optional ACY-DR162/A3R.
If the LIB-162/A2 unit is the dual-drive specification, it can be upgraded by replacing the two drives to the optional ACY-DR162/A3R and ACY-DR162/A3L. If you wish to replace drives, please contact the Sony support desk or your Sony representative from which you purchased the product.
Q4 The SCSI interface of LIB-162 is the LVD/SE specification. Is there any way to connect it to an HVD SCSI?
A4 Third-parties sell LVD/HVD converter units. For details, please ask the respective manufacturers or your Sony representative from which you purchased the product.
Q5 How often should I replace the filter in the front of the LIB-162 unit in general?
A5 It depends on the environment where the LIB-162 is installed, but we recommend to vacuum-clean the filter once every three to six months and to replace it once a year. Two sets (four pieces) of filters are included in the LIB-162 package at the time of purchase.
Q6 How long does it take from a tape being picked up from any rack and being inserted into the drive, until the LIB-162 enters the Ready state?
A6 About 14 seconds on average.
Q7 If the power switch of the LIB-162 is touched accidentally, will it turn off?
A7 It won't turn off unless you press the switch for longer than about three seconds. In addition, you can set whether the operation buttons are valid/invalid from "Library Administration Menu" of the client computer, using a browser. For details, refer to the operating manual of the LIB-162.
Please note that, from the new version (Ver. 0201, Ver. 02m1) of the firmware, the function of the POWER switch can be changed by the DIP switch setting. In those models containing the new firmware when shipped from the factory, the DIP switch is set so that the POWER switch is at POWER OFF Ready as the default. However, the function of the POWER switch remains unchanged even if the firmware is upgraded in models containing firmware of a previous version and the DIP switch setting has not been changed.
Q8 What is the recommended model of Ultra 160 SCSI PCI board for Windows(R)?
A8 We recommend Adaptec's SCSI Card 29160 for the LIB-162.
Q9 What weight of objects can be placed on top of the LIB-162?
A9 In general, nothing should be placed on top.
Q10 In case of installing the LIB-162 in a 19-inch rack cabinet, are any options for rack-mounting needed?
A10 The optional rack-mount kit ACY-RK2 is available.
The LIB-162 has a depth of 680 mm so we recommend a rack cabinet that complies with the EIA standard (EIA-310-D first section) and that has a depth of 800 mm.
Q11 Does the LIB-162 series need shipping parts when it is transported?
A11 It needs the transport locks and transport screws on the bottom of the unit. For details, refer to the operating manual.


Tape Automation
AIT Library LIB-81
Q1 Can the LIB-81 be connected to SE (Single Ended) SCSI HBA?
A1 No. The LIB-81 supports the LVD (Low Voltage Differential) only, so it cannot be connected to SE configuration.


Server
Network file server FSV-E1
Q1 What is the maximum number of client computers that can be connected?
A1 Maximum number of users that can be registered is 200. But in practice, we recommend to limit the number of users around 20 per every FSV-E1.
Q2 How do I update the system software for FSV-E1?
A2 Update from the [update] page of the Web management tool. For the latest software information, refer to the [Download] page of this site.
Q3 The server won't start up and the indication "SONY StorStation" remains on the LCD. Is it faulty?
A3 No, it isn't. You can recover the FSV-E1 by pressing the power switch on the rear of the unit for more than four seconds to turn it off, then turn it on again. The server will start up.
Q4 The server indicates "Checking Filesystems" on the LCD for hours. Is it faulty?
A4 If the HDD's LED is blinking at the same time, it means that the file system is being checked. Please wait for a while. It may take two or three hours if the volume of data which you are using is large. If the LED remains lit or off for hours, it could indicate a fault. Please contact your Sony representative from which you purchased the product.
Q5 Can I use this server in a Windows(R) domain environment?
A5 The FSV-E1 can't take part in the Windows(R) domain so it can't be managed by domain.


Server
Network backup server BSV-M1
Q1 Media service on ARCserve does not start and Tape Devices can't be detected on ARCserve Web administrator menu.
A1 Please check if the tape library unit is being hooked up to the BSV-M1 unit properly with SCSI cable. The library unit has to be connected to the BSV-M1 unit when the system boots up. Otherwise, please restart the system after connecting the tape library to the BSV-M1 unit with SCSI cable properly.
Q2 A running backup job suspended during operation and can't be aborted or canceled.
A2 Please check if the BSV-M1 unit and the backup client machine are connected to the network properly via Ether cable. If Ether cable was disconnected from the BSV-M1 or from the backup client machine during the backup operation the backup job would suspend. In this case, please restart the system after connecting the cable to the units properly.

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