STB Suite

June 2014

In this Issue:

   

STB Suite 9.0 Released!

SCSI Toolbox is proud to announce the 9.0 Release of the STB Suite. In this major release we’ve included many product enhancements, changes and a completely new module! If you are an active Performa member this release will be emailed to the technical contact for your license.

A few of the key new features are:

  1. New product – Automated Manufacturing Engine (AME)!
  2. Support for SATA Security Erase via Engineering (original) Mode and DMM (Multi-Drive support)
  3. SCSI/SAS/FC support for Write Same via DMM
  4. DMM Multiple Worker Threads

If your license is no longer actively covered, you can purchase the 9.0 upgrade via the Performa program online here: Purchase STB v9.0

View the STB Suite 9.0 Full Release notes with Screenshots.

New Product – Automated Manufacturing Engine (AME)

Automated Manufacturing Engine - AME

We’re proud to announce a completely new product added to the STB Suite with the 9.0 release.

The Automated Manufacturing Engine is a “hands-free” way to test your HDD/SSD’s without the need for interactive decisions or potential of tests being skipped or changed.

AME is the perfect choice for Hard Drive Screening/Solid State Drive (HDD/SSD), Sanitizing, “DoD purging”, or Manufacturing. Once your technicians or engineers have defined how you would like your Drives to be tested and results logged via the point and click Disk Manufacturing & Screening Module GUI you can save off the test sequence files and run them from a simple command line.

AME is quickly becoming the choice of many companies who need to pass their testing logistics off to a more cost effective Contract Manufacturer (CM) with an easy Turn-Key complete HDD testing process defined and ready to be executed.

Set you and your team up for success by using a time proven test solution now with an easier way to get consistent test results.

Read specifically how AME is setup in the full article here.

Ask Dr. SCSI – What is secure erase, and does the STB Suite support it?

The Real Dr. SCSI

Q. “I have heard about a secure erase command to erase all data on disks. What is secure erase, and does the STB Suite support it? ”

A. First, what is SECURE ERASE?

But first – a nit to pick. The actual name of these commands is SECURITY ERASE, not SECURE ERASE. We’ll just call it SE from now on. The SE commands were developed as a method for an ATA/SATA disk drive to erase all data on itself. This functionality is built into the firmware of virtually all ATA and SATA drives manufactured since the early 2000’s. It is a government agency approved method of purging all data from a disk drive.

There are two levels of SE – Normal and Enhanced, with the enhanced level being an option that may or may not be implemented on any particular drive.

This table from the T13 ATA/ATAPI Command Set 4 documentation shows the differences –

SATA Erase Mode Characteristics

Drives that implement SE will report:

  • If they support SE or not
  • If they support SE Enhanced Mode or not
  • An estimate of how long a normal and an enhanced SE will take to complete

Does the STB Suite have a SE function?

Yes, as of version 9.0 the STB Suite has the ability to run a SE on either individual drives or on multiple drives simultaneously.

You can watch videos showing how to run a SATA SE from the Single Drive (Original Mode) and the Multi-Drive (DMM) from our Virtual Training Center here: http://www.stbsuite.com/support/virtual-training-center

Considering getting into HDD/SSD Testing, Purging, and reselling industry?

Have you considered entering the HDD/SSD, recycling, screening, purging, reselling business? Have you thought about what it would take to enter into this lucrative market? You might be surprised it’s not as complicated as you might think.

Before you jump in with both feet, think through your process. What it will take to be successful and how you are going to repeat the process to ensure consistent results. We’ve heard the term “dust and trust” and although it seems comical this isn’t the best method for ensuring quality assurance and customer satisfaction.

  • You want:
    • repeatable procedures,
    • documentation,
    • detailed logging,
    • and traceability for what you’re trying to accomplish.

Your potential customers will be happy if they get consistent product quality and trust that you’re going to continue to deliver on that. How many bad experiences does it take for you to lose trust in a supplier?

With the STB Suite’s DMM you can screen anywhere from dozens to hundreds of drives at a time!

Read about the other benefits to HDD/SSD, testing, purging and reselling and how you can accomplish this with the 20+ year veteran and Industry Standard for Peripheral Testing in your corner!

New training video – Multi-Drive QC Test using DMM

We’ve added a new video to our online Virtual Training Center that will show you how to quickly setup a Multi-Drive QC test using the Disk Manufacturing & Screening Module. This test can be setup in less than a minute and using the configuration settings shown the testing results can be obtained in a few a four minutes!

Click the Screenshot to view the video directly, or here to view all the videos in the Virtual Training Center.

Free LIVE training for the STBSuite

LIVE Online Meeting with STB

Let us show you!

You can’t beat free, right? Maybe, you have an old license of the Toolbox (1996 ring a bell, possibly 2006, maybe run a couple versions ago?). Possibly, you’ve been thinking about using the Suite for years but haven’t allocated the resources. Why not take 30-60 minutes of your time and see if the Suite could help with your Peripheral testing, screening, etc? We’ll tailor the training to your specific needs and be sure to cover all of your testing needs, answer questions and see if the STBSuite is right for you.

The STBSuite is constantly changing and we’re adding new tests, features, protocol support, logging options, and test parameters all the time. So, if you’ve been running that older version let us show you what’s changed! If you’ve been running the Toolbox for years, let us review your procedures and see if we can help cut down your testing times and increase your testing thoroughness. What have you got to lose?

Request your free training online here.

What is Performa?

Performa is the STB Suite annual support and maintenance plan.

In most cases each purchase of the STB Suite includes 12 months of Performa coverage.

What does that coverage include?

  • Updates to the STB Suite
    • There are typically two major updates to the STB Suite per year. In between these major updates there are typically a number of maintenance updates which will be used to fix bugs and occasionally introduce new features. For example, between the 8.6 update and the recent 8.7 update there were 6 maintenance updates released.

      With Performa coverage you are entitled to all of these. Don’t forget Release 9.0 has just been released! 

  • Product Support
    • Performa coverage provides you with contact with our development team, to answer questions, discuss changes or improvements, etc. With decades of storage experience our support team is willing and able to help you.

      Our World-class support typically responds to email support issues within one hour!

  • New License discounts – New Feature
    • SCSI Toolbox now offers attractive discounts on new licenses when you keep your licenses covered by the Performa program.
      • 1-3 licenses actively covered you’ll receive an additional* 10% Performa Discount on New licenses.
      • 4-10 licenses actively covered you’ll receive an additional* 15% Performa Discount on New licenses.
      • 11-20 licenses actively covered you’ll receive an additional* 20% Performa Discount on New licenses.
    • *Online Credit Card purchases receive 5% discount automatically. Need to buy new licenses? Contact sales to receive your Performa discount/voucher code to use online NOW!
  • How to keep Performa Active
    • Every time you renew your Performa coverage you need to update your USB key (license). This is a simple process whereby your key is updated to reflect your new Performa expiration date. Once your key has been updated you will be able to run any new STB Suite versions that are released while you are covered.

      Instructions for the key update process are emailed with your Performa renewal.

      If you have any questions about your licenses, Performa, need a quote or just want to talk, please contact Jeremy Wolfe in Sales at STB.