@(#) Explains how to use tape drives.

=WHAT IS AVAILABLE=

> There are seven dual-density 8-mm tape drives available:
      mx0, mx1, mx2, mx3, mx4 are TTI 8510 single-loading
      mx5, mx6 are TTI CTH-10 robotic multi-loading
  NOTE that mx4 is permanently allocated to root for system use and is not
  accessible to users.

> Drives are accessed through special device files which are named according
  to the physical drive and its functional attributes:

    /dev/mx<drive-#>{nr}{ns}{v}{.density}

  where
     <drive-#>  = [0..6] selects the physical drive
     {nr}         selects the no-rewind attribute
     {ns}         selects the non-byte swapping attribute
     {v}          selects the variable block size attribute
     <.density> = [.low|.high] selects the density

  Ex: /dev/mx0.low
      Accesses drive 0 with automatic rewind, byte swapping, fixed block size,
      variable density.
  Ex: /dev/mx1nrnsv.high
      Accesses drive 1 with no automatic rewind, no byte swapping, variable
      block size, high density.

=ALLOCATING DRIVES=

  Tape Drive Utilization Policy

  The following is the new tape drive utilization policy which
  takes effect immediately.

  1) The use of the tapeman program to manage utilization of
  tapes is *no longer in effect*.

  To use any one of the 8mm tape drives hooked up to physgi03
  you need to do the following.

  1) Examine each one of that tape drives. If there is one
  free, the stick your tape in and use it.

  2) If all the tape drives are loaded with tapes, then gently
  hit the unload button on each one of the drives. If one
  pops out, then set it on top of the tape drive enclosure,
  stick you tape in and start to use it.

  3) If none of the tape drives release their tape, this means
  that all tape drives are in use and you should come back
  some other time.

  4) If you do manage to find a free tape drive, then sit down
  in front of the Xterm next to the tape drives and submit your
  job. This will keep people from unloading your tape before you
  have a chance to start reading your tape.

  5) When you are done using the tape drive, come back and
  unload your tape. If you forget to unload your tape, expect to
  find your tape unloaded for you by someone else and placed
  on top of the tape drive enclosure.

  If you have any questions or comments on the new tape drive
  usage policy, please send me e-mail and we can discuss it.



=CLEANING DRIVES=

> Exabyte tape drives require periodic head cleaning in order to avoid
  excessive read/write errors.  This is done by inserting a special Exabyte
  Cleaning Cartridge and closing the drive door, after which the drive will run
  the cartridge and unload it automatically.  The process takes approximately 30
  seconds.  Each cartridge tape is limited to either three or twelve cleanings
  and bears a label with the appropriate number of boxes; one box is to be
  marked after each cleaning.  When all boxes are marked, the cartridge is to be
  discarded.  Fresh cleaning cartridges are kept in the drawer below the drives.
  
> TTI drives contain a maintenance feature which displays the letters `CL'
  on the lower LCD on the front of the drive when cleaning is needed.