IMdrive Data Interchange Software Unix Microsoft Windows

IMDrive

This is a data interchange utility for anyone who needs the ability to read practically any tape format - from the normal tape interchange formats to practically any backup or save format*.
For a complete list of supported formats, Click Here.

IMdrive for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME

IMdrive is extremely easy to use, through a simple Windows interface, files from virtually any SCSI storage media can be automatically retrieved and converted to your PC's hard disk or network server. Conversely, output to any media is provided by a number of industry-standard backup formats.

Available Features include:

Automatic format recognition
Due to the complexity of some media formats, a facility to auto-detect almost any tape or disk format inserted the drive has been developed; the need for any special training has now been completely removed.

Console output
Prior to copying, files may be viewed to a buffered console display, switchable to either ASCII, EBCDIC or Hexadecimal.

Double Duplication
An advanced duplication feature enables two separate output tapes to be duplicated concurrently from a single output.

Directory Structure Retention
For many formats, path names and long filenames can be retained on output to the target media.

Batch Processing
IMdrive may be driven from the DOS shell command-line, enabling processing to be accomplished remotely via powerful user-defined batch routines.

Unzipping
In many cases files stored on tape or disk are compressed by the originator using the widely adopted PKZIP method. at the users discretion IMdrive is able to detect and decompress these files automatically.
 

 Data Manipulation (Record Reformatter)
As well as a standard feature to convert EBCDIC to ASCII, an additional option, the Record reformatter, provides IMdrive with an extremely powerful database record reformatting program. Records can be defined and subsequently re-defined allowing field locations to be totally re-mapped to a new output structure. This includes a facility to unpack binary numbers from many diverse systems including IBM, ICL, DEC VAX, etc.

Standard Features Include:

Windows 95/85/NT/200/ME compliant

Adaptec ASPI compatible

Support for virtually any SCSI Drive

Directory Structure retention

Easy to install & use

No training required

New formats constantly being added

Comprehensive on-line Help

Automatic drive detection

Unlabelled tape support

Tape Scanning and analysis

Tape duplication and dataset stacking

Compression

Event Log

IMdrive is sold in modular format, so you can choose only the modules that you need:

BASE MODULE:

ALL available read formats - (see list for available formats), Automatic Format Selection, Scan Tape, View Tape

Wizard - The software wizard will help the user on a simple step by step basis perform the basic operations of this software. For new, or infrequent users, it may prove extremely useful in reading and writing tapes. For more experienced users, this stage may be skipped.

Automatic format recognition - Due to the complexity of some media recording formats, a facility to auto-detect almost any format has been provided. In most cases the need for any special knowledge of how the original media was written has been removed.

OPTIONAL MODULES:

ALL available write formats including - Labelled, Unlabelled, Unix TAR/CPIO and NT Backup

Tape to tape duplication - Tape to tape duplication - Provides a way of copying 'bit for bit' any tape to any other tape within the boundaries of the output medium. All block sizes and filemarks will remain identical. It also incorporates the stacking functions for copying single or multiple datasets on to higher capacity media, i.e. multiple 3480s to one 3590.

Tape libraries - Sequential and non-sequential libraries/autoloaders are supported.

Automatic Running - This feature allows the parameters of a conversion job to be stored in an internal database and can be recalled at any time. This will include the tape format, disk output directory and any complex data conversion carried out on the file. It will make operation within a production environment very easy and repetitive conversion tasks can be kept identical. Many current IMdrive customers use this feature extensively and have 300-400 entries in their Automatic Running database. The feature will also make it possible for unskilled operators to run jobs that have been previously set up.

Remote commands - A simple script language that allows a specific routine or job to be run from an icon on the desktop. Alternatively, these scripts can be generated from third-party programs and thus allow control of IMdrive remotely and discreetly. Automatic Running enhances some of these processes.

Record Reformatter - Comprehensive data conversion utility, necessary in some circumstances to convert IBM packed EBCDIC and ASCII numbers, numeric fields, and generally re-structure complex record structures.

CD writing - Tapes are read onto the hard disk, and the software will then automatically create a CD. When the tape is larger than the CD capacity, the files are split to fit the CD. If a file is too large for a CD the user is offered the of zipping the file, or splitting it. The option allows for simple tape to CD in one keystroke. It will work with the Automatic Running to ensure the relevant data conversion is applied.

CD printer - On automated CD jukeboxes that support an internal printing function, unique job references and styles may be printed on to the surface of the CD. This is particularly useful in a production environment where there is a need to uniquely distinguish datasets on the output.

Remote commands

Tape initialisation -This will add magnetic tape labels to tapes. The label could be entered by hand, or a sequential number, or read from a barcode reader. Operation with tape libraries is supported. A database of valid label numbers can be set up to ensure that only relevant IDs are used.

Media testing - This will test the media and report the number of errors detected. The testing can be read only, or write only. Thresholds can be set to abort the tests of a poor tape. Tape may be tested for the whole tape, a specified number of blocks, or a period of time. The block size may be entered. On labelled tapes, the initial volume label will be retained.

Supported SCSI Drives

1/2" 9-track 3480/90/9OE 8mm 4mm DAT
1/4" QIC DLT Syquest Iomega Zip/Jazz

System Requirements/Compatibility

  • Pentium 133+ & 16MB+ RAM
  • Windows 95, 98 or NT
  • ASPI Host Adapter

Data Interchange Hardware

We also offer data interchange tape drives & tape jukebox. Click here for more information.