LTFS format for LTO9 error

[Tomaz Beltram]

Hi,

I'm running Quadstor 3.0.76.1 on CentOS7 and have configured "HP StorageWorks MSL 6000" library with "HP StoreEver Ultrium 45000" drives and LTO9 tape cartridges. When I try to mkltfs a tape I get the following error:

LTFS15000I Starting mkltfs, HPE StoreOpen Software version 3.5.0, log level 2
LTFS15041I Launched by "/usr/bin/mkltfs --device /dev/sg10"
LTFS15042I This binary is built for Linux (x86_64)
LTFS15043I GCC version is 11.3.0
LTFS17087I Kernel version: Linux version 5.15.0-76-generic (gcc (Ubuntu 11.3.0-1ubuntu1~22.04.1) 11.3.0, GNU ld (GNU Binutils for Ubuntu) 2.38) #83-Ubuntu SMP Thu Jun 15 19:16:32 UTC 2023 i386
LTFS17089I Distribution: PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS"
LTFS17089I Distribution: DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
LTFS15003I Formatting device '/dev/sg10'
LTFS15004I LTFS volume blocksize: 524288
LTFS15005I Index partition placement policy: None

LTFS17085I Plugin: Loading "ltotape" driver
LTFS20013I Drive type is HPE LTO9, serial number is 3428E00201
LTFS17160I Maximum device block size is 524288
LTFS17157I Changing the drive setting to write-anywhere mode
LTFS20062E Unsupported cartridge type (Unknown)
LTFS11299E Cannot format: unsupported medium
LTFS15023I Formatting failed

The reason is in that the Medium Density Code returned for LTO9 tapes is zero.

$ sg_read_attr /dev/sg10
  Medium density code: 0x0

According to LTO SCSI spec it should be 0x60.

I really appreciate your VTL product for simple usage and plenty of features.

wbr Tomaz