SMC-3r02, 6.10.1 READ ELEMENT STATUS introduction, 2nd paragraph on page 321, reads:
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The NUMBER OF ELEMENTS field specifies the maximum number of element descriptors to be created by the device server for this command. The value specified by this field is not the range of element addresses to be considered for reporting but rather the number of defined elements to report. If the ALLOCATION LENGTH field is not sufficient to transfer all the element descriptors, the device server shall transfer all those descriptors whose complete contents fit within the allocation field and this shall not be considered an error.
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There has been confusion by at least one vendor about the meaning of
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If the ALLOCATION LENGTH field is not sufficient to transfer all the element descriptors, the device server shall transfer all those descriptors whose complete contents fit within the allocation field and this shall not be considered an error.
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It seems obvious that the intent is that only complete descriptors shall be returned.  If the data is truncated due to an incomplete descriptor this shall not be considered an error.  I propose that this text be modified to:

If the ALLOCATION LENGTH field is not sufficient to transfer all the element descriptors, the device server shall transfer all those descriptors that completely fit within the allocation field and shall not transfer any partial descriptors. This shall not be considered an error.

Thanks,

Kevin D. Butt
SCSI & Fibre Channel Architect, Tape Firmware
MS 6TYA, 9000 S. Rita Rd., Tucson, AZ 85744
Tel: 520-799-2869 / 520-799-5280
Fax: 520-799-2723 (T/L:321)
Email address: kdbutt@us.ibm.com
http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/storage/