SG_REQUESTS(8)

NAME
sg_requests - send the scsi command request sense

SYNOPSIS
sg_requests [--desc] [--help] [--verbose] [--version] <scsi_device>

DESCRIPTION

Send REQUEST SENSE command to a Linux SCSI device and output the response which is expected to be in sense data format. Both fixed and descriptor format are supported.

--desc | -d
    sets the 'DESC' bit in the REQUEST SENSE SCSI command. The given device should return sense data in descriptor (rather than fixed) format. This will only occur if the given device recognizes descriptor format (SPC-3 and later). If the device is pre SPC-3 then setting a bit in a reserved field may cause a check condition status with an illegal request sense key.

--help | -h
    output the usage message then exit.

--verbose | -v
    increase the level of verbosity, (i.e. debug output).

--version | -V
    print the version string and then exit.

Some time ago the REQUEST SENSE command was very important for error and warning processing in SCSI. The autosense capability rendered this command almost superfluous. However recent SCSI drafts (e.g. SBC-2 rev 16) increase the utility of the REQUEST SENSE command. Idle and standby power conditions can now be detected with this command. Interestingly the sense key is set to "no sense" while the asc/ascq code convey the information (e.g. 0x5e/0x4 "Standby condition activated by command").

AUTHORS
Written by Douglas Gilbert.

REPORTING BUGS
Report bugs to <dgilbert at interlog dot com>.

COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2004 Douglas Gilbert
This software is distributed under a FreeBSD license. There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

SEE ALSO
sg_inq