>My organization runs TSM version 5.2.2.1. The storage pool, TAPEPOOL, uses a
>tape library consisting of 2 X 4560SLX drives, master and slave. One drive,
>SDLT_1, has reported this error sxteen times since the beginning of the year:
>
>ANR8944E Hardware or media error on drive SDLT_1 (/dev/tsmscsi/mt0) (OP=REW,
>Error Number=5, CC=306, KEY=03, ASC=81, ASCQ=00,
>SENSE=70.00.03.00.00.00.00.16.00.0
>0.00.00.81.00.00.00.00.00.45.02.B2.00.00.2D.F7.02.47.2F.0A., Description=Drive
>or media failure). Refer to Appendix D in the 'Messages' manual for recommended
>action.
>
>The drive will stay online and continue functioning. This error has occurred on
>different media. The console of the tape library reports no errors in the error
>log.
>
>Is this a hardware issue or related to TSM?? Any info is appreciated..

By any chance, does this error appear after a drive cleaning has completed?
After a cleaning cartridge is ejected, TSM will attempt a perfunctory rewind
operation, which should fail. The TSM device driver needs to fail the rewind
request when the cleaning cartridge is ejected to let the server know that the
cartridge that was in the drive is a cleaning cartridge.  It may be that the
sense data in this operation is not being properly processed.  Check the
Activity Log for an indication of a cleaning being initiated by TSM.
If so, a server level upgrade may cure this.  If not, a drive problem may be
in evidence.

   Richard Sims