The preliminaries

# 2 The preliminaries

Contents of this section

Note that I (the howto-maintainer) no longer use `ftape` myself, so I cannot give much up-todate advice on e.g. compiling `ftape`. If you have a problem, try posting on `comp.os.linux.help`, or to the TAPE channel (see Following the ftape development below). You should try to post a summary of your problems and its solution(s), after you've got it working, even if only partially add it to the HOWTO.

I read my mail daily, but I won't guarantee that I will respond. Also, I seldomly read the newsgroups (`comp.os.linux.help` et al), as my Internet access is through a modem line and I have to read news On-line `8-(`.

Bas (the author of `ftape`) is still alive, but he has been rather busy at his for-pay job. Thus, `ftape` has been ``suffering'' lately.

If you recieve this as part of a printed distribution, please check out the Linux Documentation home page or ftp to `sunsite.unc.edu: /pub/Linux/doc/HOWTO` to see if there exists a more recent version. This could potentially save you a lot troubles.

## 2.1 What is `ftape`

`ftape` is a driver program that controls various low-cost tape drives that connect to the floppy controller.

`ftape` is written by Bas Laarhoven `<bas@vimec.nl>`, with a little help from his friends to sort out the ECC (Error Correcting Code) stuff.

`ftape` supports drives that conform to the QIC-117 and QIC-80/QIC-40 standards. `ftape` does not support QIC-02 tape drives or drives that connect via a SCSI interface, e.g. a DAT drive. SCSI drives are accessed as `/dev/st[0-7]` and are supported by the kernel directly. See section Supported drives and Un-supported drives for a list of supported and unsupported drives.

## 2.2 The newest version of `ftape` - and where to get it

The newest version of the `ftape` driver is `ftape-1.13b`, and can be fetched from the following sites:

> `

>         tsx-11.mit.edu   [18.172.1.2]: /pub/linux/ALPHA/QIC-80/
>         sunsite.unc.edu [152.2.22.81]: /pub/Linux/kernel/tapes/
>         ftp.funet.fi  [128.214.248.6]: /pub/OS/Linux/BETA/QIC-80/

> `

You should get the files: `ftape-1.13b.tar.gz`, `ftape-1.13b.lsm` and `modules.tar.gz`. The `.tar.gz` file is the `ftape` driver proper, while the `.lsm` file is a Linux Software Map (LSM) file for the LSM project, and the `modules` file is a set of utilities for manipulating loadable drivers (insertion and removal).

Note: if you have an old version of the modules utilities, e.g. `modutils-0.99.14.tar.gz` or `modutils-0.99.15.tar.gz`, you must upgrade.

Due to some recent changes in the kernel's DMA and interrupt code, a patch is required to be able to compile `ftape` with newer kernels (Sorry, I don't know when it was changed, you'll have to check that out yourself). These patches, can be found in the same place as `ftape` itself:

> `

>             ftape-irq-dma.patch
>             ftape-conner.patch

> `

The latter patch (`ftape-conner.patch`) is only needed if you have a Coner C250MQ drive. It makes `ftape` work with tapes (incorrectly) formatted with Connor's software.

## 2.3 The newest version of `ftape` - and where to get it Following the development of the`ftape` driver

If you want to follow the development of the `ftape` driver, you should consider subscribing to the TAPE channel on Linux-activists. To subscribe, you send a mail to `<linux-activists-request@niksula.hut.fi>`, with the first line (or as a part of the header) saying ``X-Mn-Admin: join tape`'. If you send an empty mail you are sent a HOWTO mail.

To submit a real mail to the mailing lists, send a mail to `<linux-activists@niksula.hut.fi>`, and remember that the first line (or a header line) should read ``X-Mn-Key: TAPE`'.

## 2.4 The newest version of `ftape` - and where to get it Supported drives

All drives that are both QIC-117 compatible and either QIC-40 or QIC-80 compatible should work. Currently, the list of drives that are known to work with `ftape` is:

- Colorado DJ-10 / DJ-20 (aka: Jumbo 120 / Jumbo 250)
- Archive 5580i / XL9250i
- Insight 80Mb
- Conner C250MQ
- Wangtek 3080F
- Iomega 250
- Escom / Archive (Hornet) 31250Q
- Summit SE 150 / SE 250
- Mountain FS8000
- Colorado FC-10 High-Speed Controller (well, it's not a drive, but ...)
- Tallgrass FS300 (needs a tiny hack to work with AHA1542B)

Although I do not want to endorse one drive type over another, I want to mention that the Colorado DJ-20 drive is rather noisy, when compared to, say, Connor C250MQ drive ('tis said that the Colorado is 5-10 times as noisy as the Connor drive).

Support for the FC-10 controller has been merged into the `ftape` driver in version 1.12. See the `RELEASE-NOTES` and the `Makefile` files in the `ftape` distribution.

Previously, Iomega drives could only be used with one file (e.g\. `tar` file) per tape, due to a mis-feature in the Iomega firmware. This is no longer true (I am told). Iomega drives should have full functionality. See the `RELEASE-NOTES` file that comes with the `ftape` distribution, for more information.

If you have a Tallgrass FS300 and an AHA1542B, you need to increase the bus-on / bus-off time of the 1542B. Antti Virjo (`klanvi@uti.fi`), says that changing `CMD_BUSON_TIME` to 4 and `CMD_BUSOFF_CMD` to 12 in `linux/drivers/scsi/aha1542.c` will do the trick.

NOTE: If you have a drive that works fine, but it is not listed here, please send a mail to the HOWTO maintainer (`khp@login.dknet.dk`).

## 2.5 The newest version of `ftape` - and where to get it Un-supported drives

- All drives that connect to the parallel port (eg: Colorado Trakker)
- High-Speed controller's. (eg: Colorado TC-15 & FC-20)
- Irwin AX250L / Accutrak 250. (not a QIC-80 drive)
- IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit (identical to the Irwin AX250L drive)
- COREtape light

Generally, ALL drives that connect to the parallel port are NOT supported. This is because these drives uses (different) proprietary interfaces, that are very much different from the QIC-117 standard.

The Colorado TC-15 controller (and it's like) are not supported directly by the `ftape` driver. The only `special' controller that can be used with `ftape` is the Colorado FC-10. Support for the FC-10 was integrated in version 1.12.

The Irwin AX250L (and the IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit) does not work the `ftape`. This is because they only support QIC-117, but not the QIC-80 standard (they use Irwin's proprietary servoe (Rhomat) format). I know nothing about the Rhomat format, nor where to get any info on it. Sorry.

The COREtape light does not work (yet). We have some info on it, but we have not got it to accept the initialisation data. As the user who had the COREtape drive swapped it for another tape drive in frustration, we may never get it to work with `ftape` (no test drive).

## 2.6 Using an external tape drive with `ftape`

If you have a floppy controller which has a female DB37 connector on the bracket (and some means of delivering power to the drive), you can use it with `ftape`. OK, that sentence was not very obvious. Let's try it this way: Some FDC's (the very ancient one's), have a DB37 connector on the bracket, for connecting to external floppy drives.

If you make a suitable cable (from a quick glance on an FDC that I've got lying around, it seems to be almost a straight 1-to-1 cable. However, your milage may vary) from the DB37 connector (on the FDC) and to your external tape drive, you can get `ftape` to control your tape drive.

This is because that from a program's view there is no difference between the internal and the external connectors. So, from `ftape`'s point of view, they are identical.

## 2.7 Compiling and installing the `ftape` driver

There is included an installation guide (the file `Install-guide`) in the `ftape` distribution; please read that.

## 2.8 Where to get the kernel sources

You can get the kernel sources from the same place as you got the `ftape` sources. The sources are kept at the following sites (and many mirror-sites)

> `

>         tsx-11.mit.edu   [18.172.1.2]: /pub/linux/sources/system/
>         sunsite.unc.edu [152.2.22.81]: /pub/Linux/kernel/
>         ftp.funet.fi  [128.214.248.6]: /pub/OS/Linux/PEOPLE/Linus

> `

You will find a number of subdirectories, including two named `v1.0` and `v1.1`. These contain (you guessed it!) `v1.0` and `v1.1` of the kernel. I suggest that you get version `1.1.`<`something>`.

## 2.9 Can I format my tapes under Linux?

No! Honestly, noone is working on it: If you want to work on it, drop Bas a line. You'll have to use MessyDOS (arghhh!) instead or buy preformatted tapes. However, some of the preformatted tapes are not checked for bad sectors!. If the `ftape` driver encounters a tape with no bad blocks, it will issue a warning.

## 2.10 Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?

These are known to work:

- Colorado Memory System's software (`tape.exe`)
- Connor Backup Basics v1.1 and all Windows versions
- Norton Backup
- QICstream version 2
- Tallgrass FileSecure v1.52

These programs are known to be more or less buggy:

- Conner Backup Basics 1.0
- CP Backup (wastes tape space, but is OK apart from that)

In fact, most software under DOS should work. The Conner Backup Basics v1.0 has a parameter off-by-one (someone could not read the QIC-80 specs right!), which is corrected in version 1.1. Dennis T. Flaherty (`dennisf@denix.elk.miles.com`) report that Conner C250MQ owners can obtain the new v1.1, by calling 1-800-230-5638 (in the US) and ask for an upgrade (for a nominal fee for the floppy). The Windows versions should work fine.

Central Point Backup can be used, but it wastes precious tape space when it encounters a bad spot on the tape.

NOTE: If you are running a formatting software under DOS, which is not mentioned here, please mail the maintainer (`khp@login.dknet.dk`) the relevant info, so I can update the HOWTO.

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