ClearPath OS 2200 Series Release 13.2 Software Planning and ...

Tape and DVD
Maximum Transfer Length for Cartridge Tape Drives
Normally, the Exec enforces the maximum transfer length of 256KB if a cartridge tape
drive supports the expanded buffer capability (that is, EBCOPT); otherwise, the
maximum transfer length of 131 KB is allowed. If, however, a CT0899 or a SCTAPE tape
drive is assigned with EDRC data compression (that is, CMPEON) specified, then the
maximum transfer length of 131 KB is enforced even if the drive is capable of supporting
EBCOPT. An I/O request with a transfer length greater than the above maximum block
size is rejected by the Exec with an error status of 06.
Fast Tape Access
The capability of using the LOCATE BLOCK ID and READ BLOCK ID hardware
commands through user ER IO$ functions is currently available for all 1/2-inch cartridge
and DLT tape drives. The following functions are provided:
• Read block ID before write (RBIDW$)
• Read block ID (RBKID$)
• Locate block (LBLK$)
These functions were introduced to use the high-speed search functions of the cartridge
drive, allowing the drive to rapidly position a cartridge tape for access.
Refer to PLE 16970158 for more information on performance with Fast Tape Access.
4.6.2. Tape Drive Encryption
Encryption is one of the most effective ways to achieve data security today. OS 2200
supports tape drive encryption and the Sun/StorageTek Crypto Key Management
Solution (KMS) Version 2.0 (KMS v2.0). Encryption functionality is built directly into the
tape drive so the Operating System is not involved in the encryption processing. Sun’s
encryption solution utilizes a standard AES-256 cipher algorithm.
A successful data encryption strategy must address proper key management and make
sure that the keys to unlock data are never lost. The Sun Crypto Key Management
System provides safe, robust key management. It includes of a number of components:
• Clustered Key Management Appliances (KMA) are dedicated appliances for creating,
managing and storing encryption keys.
• KMA Manager Software provides for the setup and administration of the encryption
system, the interface is using a GUI management program.
• The encryption agents are hardware and software embedded in the tape drives
themselves.
With this initial release of encryption on OS 2200, the encryption process is totally
transparent to OS 2200. Once a tape device has been enrolled into the Key Management
System all cartridges created on that device will be encrypted.
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