Tape Emulator 80 (TE80) Intelligent hardware emulation for Tape Drives/Libraries

The TE80 is a high-speed, single channel Tape Controller providing Ultra Wide synchronous SCSI-3 connectivity for 4mm, 8mm, AIT,DLT and LTO drives and library subsystems. On-board hardware emulation allows the drive to appear to the host system as a standard supported tape device.

For example, a DLT8000 drive could be made to appear to an iSeries (AS/400) system as an IBM 3590. The TE80 automatically handles all of the command translations so that the emulation is completely transparent to the host system.

TE80 Units are available as board-only, or as complete sub-systems including the tape drive, TE80 controller and LCD control panel all mounted in a stand-alone chassis.

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Features LCD Front Panel Interface Microcode/Emulation Update Self-Test Diagnostics Versatile Device Emulation Dual Host Mode 3.5" Form Factor RS232 interface

LCD Front Panel Interface

• Enables connection to most industry standard intelligent 8 bit LCD's; thus allowing configuration for various LCD formats. The standard option is for a 2 line x 24 character LCD which displays real time drive and controller status, e.g. drive recovered error rate, compression ratio, data transfer count, drive on-line and write enabled.
• The front panel interface also allows a Menu Mode operation for user configuration and additional status information via a three button switch input (Menu, Enter and Scan). Features include configuration for SCSI ID, emulation selection, internal tape drive diagnostics, drive error status and a monitor menu for SCSI command input capture.

Microcode/Emulation Update

• The TE80 features Flash Memory technology allowing easy on-site installation / upgrade of microcode from either tape via the front panel Menu Mode or locally via the RS232 port. This feature offers flexibility to adapt to other computer systems.

Self-Test Diagnostics

• A comprehensive set of diagnostic tests are initiated at power on to check all Hardware functions and system integrity. The status of each test is indicated on the LCD.

Connectivity

• Flexible installation is provided by a range of emulations readily available at the push of a button from the front panel interface. The configurable SCSI interface provides a wide range of connectivity to SUN, HP, DEC, Unisys, Tandem, IBM RS/6000, IBM iSeries (AS/400) and Robotic Controller connection for library systems.

Dual Host Mode

• An optional plug in card provides support for a second differential HOST PORT; selection/switching between ports is performed either from the front panel interface Menu Mode or remotely via the RS232 port.

3.5" Form Factor

• The pcb profile allows installation in enclosures that require a 3.5" Form Factor.

RS232 Port

• Allows connection to a terminal or host computer providing remote configuration reporting, modification and real-time controller status information.

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Technical Specifications

Bus Interface

Type	Host Peripheral	SCSI-3 Ultra & Wide, Differential SCSI-3 Fast & Wide, Single Ended
Connector		68W Fine Pitch IDC plug
Transfer Rate	Host	Ultra synchronous 40Mbytes/sec (burst)

RS232 Port
Connection via 5W HE14 plug (null modem).

Front Panel Interface
2 lines x 24 character LCD (standard) and provision for 3 push button switches, Menu, Enter & Scan.

Cache Buffer - 2Mbytes

Operating Requirements

Size (mm)

Max Overall* PCB Only

175 (L) x 96 (W) 150 (L) x 96 (W)

For more information, please download a copy of the TE80 data sheet

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FlashTape Virtual Tape drive

The FlashTapeVirtual Tape drive is SCSI disk based unit that emulates a Tape drive.

Many legacy tape drives are no longer manufactured and tape repair houses are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain spareparts.

Some applications are written to only operate with a specific type of tape drive, which yields a problem when the drive fails and cannot be repaired.

The Avax FlashTape product is a small stand-alone product that emulates a variety of legacy SCSI tape drives and will plug & play with these applications.  The tape cartridge is replaced by readily available Flash Memory cards.

FEATURES
· A Virtual SCSI Tape Drive Emulation for a SCSI Disk, or Flash Disk
· Emulates 3490E, IBM3590, DLT4000 DAT, 8MM, AIT, QIC and 9 track SCSI tape drives
· Zero tape positioning times – useful for quick file positioning when reading the “tape”.
· Flash cards can be treated as a single tape media
· Eliminates problems of slow backups shoe-shining the tape drive, which eventually leads to failures.
· Can be dual-ported so that two or more Hosts can share the unit.
· The disk itself can also be saved back to a regular tape drive in an off-line fashion.— simply connect the tape drive and select this function in the menu.
· Simple Plug & Play installation
· A small, lightweight alternative to a real tape drive.
· Optional Informative front panel LCD display shows current

   -   Download the FlashTape Virtual Tape drive data sheet in Adobe Acrobat® format.

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