User guide

SC35 User Guide Ver 4.8 August 30, 2002 Page 18 of 25
3.3.15 Erase Command
Erase CDB
The ERASE (10) command requests that the target erase the specified number
of blocks starting at the specified logical block address on the medium. As used
here, erased means the medium shall be erased. The previous data recorded
on the medium, if any, shall not be recoverable. The Remap Table is retained,
thus allowing write and read access to the memory.
The erase all (ERA) bit set to one indicates that all blocks on the medium shall
be erased. If the ERA bit is set to one and if the number of blocks is not zero, the
SC35 will return CHECK CONDITION, and the sense key shall be set to
ILLEGAL REQUEST, with an additional sense code of INVALID FIELD IN CDB.
If the ERA bit is zero a transfer length of zero indicates that no blocks shall be
erased. This condition is not considered an error and no data is erased. Any
other value indicates the number of logical blocks that shall be erased.
A note about the Erase Command –
The erase command has been implemented as a security erase mechanism on
the SC35. When executed with ERA set, a 768 Mbyte drive can be wiped clean
in under 10 seconds. All storage locations on the drive are erased, including
both user and system (protected) data areas. At the conclusion of the erase
command, the existing Remap Table™ is restored to memory. If you wish to
wipe the Remap Table™ information as well, please contact the factory for
implementation instructions.