96122 • Revision: F xxi
Preface
This manual is intended for independent software vendors (ISVs), operating
system designers and developers, hardware engineers, and software engineers
responsible for implementing the Sun StorageTek version of the small computer
system interface (SCSI) or Fibre Channel interface (FC) for the SL500 modular
library system (referred to in this manual as “the SL500 library,” or “the library”).
This manual contains information about the small computer system interface,
including SCSI characteristics, library features, SCSI bus operations, SCSI
commands, status byte data, and sense data. This manual also contains information
about the Fibre Channel interface, including Fibre Channel operations, command
implementations, topologies, cables, and connectors.
Note – This manual does not describe the SCSI bus controls and commands or the
Fibre Channel operations and commands for the tape drives in the library.
Organization
This manual contains six chapters, two appendixes, a glossary, and an index:
Chapter 1 “General Information” contains a high-level overview about the small computer
system interface and the Fibre Channel interface.
Chapter 2 “SCSI Bus Physical Description” describes both the single-ended and differential
alternatives for the interface attachments.
Chapter 3 “SCSI Bus Operations” explains the seven elements that the small computer system
interface uses for controlling the interface, transferring data, issuing commands, and
returning status.
Chapter 4 “Fibre Channel Physical Interface” explains the ports, topologies and cable
requirements for Fibre Channel.
Chapter 5 “Fibre Channel Operations” explains the structure of the Fibre Channel standard and
its implications for library operation in an arbitrated loop topology.
Chapter 6 “SCSI Commands” lists and defines the commands for the library.
Appendix A “Cell Maps” shows the cell mappings and configurations for the library.
Appendix B “Partitioning Overview” describes the partitioning feature for the SL500 library.