(9846) SCSI Tape Hardware Support?

[User]

I have a VAX 4105 (4000-105) running VMS v6.1
I have a TX86 external tape unit that is failing me. Can I replace the TZ86
with a TZ87? They seem to be more available, but I don't know if VMS 6.1 will
recognize the device.

The wizard should note that VMS 6.1 isn't listed on the pull-downs of Open VMS
versions on the "Ask the Wizard a Question" web form, but I've got it running,
so it must be valid!

Thanks for your help.

[Wizard]

Please contact your prefered hardware support vendor for assistance
in this area.

For information on supported hardware for particular VAX and Alpha
systems, please see the archived-systems links available at the
HP AlphaServer website, and particularly the hardware support matrix.
This information is referenced in the FAQ, as well.

Depending on the model of TZ87, the device is formally supported in
V5.5-2H4 and later, or in V6.2 and later.

As a general rule, the OpenVMS Wizard would expect an arbitrary SCSI
tape device to show up correctly, or as a Generic SCSI tape device
identification. Some features of SCSI tapes may not be available
on older releases, but the default behaviour and operations of the
tape are generally likely to operate.

OpenVMS V6.1 is no longer supported, and has not been supported
for quite some time now -- the prefered release in the V6.* range
of OpenVMS VAX V6.* releases is V6.2. Germaine to this case, V6.2
and later contain SCSI device driver enhancements around arbitrary
SCSI device support; V6.2 will better recognize and report and react
to arbitary SCSI devices.

OpenVMS VAX V7.3 is the current release, as of this writing.

Again, please contact your prefered hardware support vendor for
assistance with this and other hardware configuration or hardware
support questions.

Please seriously consider an upgrade to a supported release, and
please seriously consider applying all current mandatory ECO kits.