SD(3) SD(3)
NAME
sd - storage device interface
SYNOPSIS
bind #S /dev
/dev/sdCu/ctl
/dev/sdCu/raw
/dev/sdCu/data
...
DESCRIPTION
The storage device interface serves a two-level directory
giving access to multiple storage units, typically ATA(PI)
or SCSI discs. Each unit is accessed via files in the
directory named by the controller to which it is attached,
C, and by its unit number u. The controller naming conven-
tion for ATA(PI) units starts with the first controller
being named `C', the second `D', etc. up to a maximum of 4
controllers ([C-F]); legacy controllers are always 'C' and
'D'. There can be a maximum of 2 units per ATA(PI) con-
troller ([01]). The controller naming convention for SCSI
units starts with the first controller being named `0', the
second `1', etc. up to a maximum of 16 controllers
([0-9a-f]). There can be a maximum of 16 units per SCSI
controller ([0-9a-f]).
Units are not accessed before the first attach. Units may
be individually attached using the attach specifier, for
example
bind -a '#SsdD0' /dev
An attach without a specifier will cause the driver to scan
for all possible units before processing the rest of the
name.
The subdirectory for each unit contains two files, ctl and
raw. In addition, if the unit is a direct-access disc of
some type it may be split into partitions and the subdirec-
tory may contain a file per partition. By default, the par-
tition data will exist for such media.
Partitions are added and deleted by writing to the ctl file
part name start-sector end-sector
delpart name
The default data partition may be deleted. A partition can-
not be deleted if a process has it open. If a change of
Page 1 Plan 9 (printed 12/22/24)
SD(3) SD(3)
removable media is detected, the new media cannot be opened
until all open partitions on the old media are closed.
Reading the ctl file returns at least one line of textual
information about the unit. The first line will always be
prefixed by inquiry and will give a manufacturer and model
number if possible. A line prefixed by config will be
returned for appropriate media, e.g. for ATA(PI) units the
remainder of the line contains configuration information
from the device's identify command (config and capabilities)
and also the available I/O transfer options; this is a diag-
nostic aid. A line prefixed by geometry will be returned
for appropriate media; at least two numbers will follow, the
first being the number of sectors contained in the unit and
the second the sector size in bytes. Any remaining informa-
tion on the geometry line is unit-dependent, for instance,
head, cylinder and sector counts for ATA discs. If any par-
titions are defined for the media, their name, start-sector
and end-sector will be returned, prefixed by part.
% cat /dev/sdD0/ctl
inquiry KENWOOD CD-ROM UCR-421 208E10/20/99 7.39 2 M0
config 85C0 capabilities 0F00 dma 00550004 dmactl 00000000
geometry 242725 2352
part data 0 242725
%
The use of DMA and multi-sector read/write commands may be
enabled and disabled on ATA(PI) units by writing to the ctl
file dma and rwm respectively followed by on or off. For
example, to enable DMA on a unit that supports it:
% echo 'dma on'>/dev/sd00/ctl
If supported by the unit, the standby timer may be enabled:
% echo 'standby T'>/dev/sdC0/ctl
where T is the standby timer period in seconds. T must be
between 30 and 1200, or can be 0 to disable the timer.
The raw file is used to execute an arbitrary command on the
unit at a low level. This is used by programs to manipulate
devices that do not fit the simple storage model or using
special commands for maintenance purposes. The following
steps may be used to execute a command
- Write the command to the raw file;
- Read or write data associated with the command,
according to the direction of the transfer.
Page 2 Plan 9 (printed 12/22/24)
SD(3) SD(3)
- Read the raw file to retrieve the status of the com-
mand, returned as a text integer.
SOURCE
/os/port/devsd.c
/os/*/sd*.[hc]
SEE ALSO
ds(3), floppy(3)
BUGS
Still in development.
No LUNs.
The 4 controller limit for ATA(PI) is not enforced.
No account is taken of some buggy ATA PCI controllers such
as the CMD640.
ATA(PI) units come up with DMA and multi-sector read/write
capability disabled.
Page 3 Plan 9 (printed 12/22/24)