Now I know that my changes to st.conf ARE being used, even if the device description isn't. Thanks to the many people who helped me figure this one out.
SOLUTION:
Use "ssaadm inq /dev/rmt/0" to get the drive vendor and product string. Also, the legato inquire command returns the data as well. Configure st.conf with this data. Set device type, densities, default density, etc. as desired.
Use "modinfo" to get the st driver id number, use "modunload -i ##" to unload it and "modload -p st" to re-load the drivers for scsi tape. This picks up changes to the st.conf file without rebooting.
Under Solaris 2.5.1, the device type (in st.conf) of 29 overrides the 'pretty print' string. This displays as Exabyte EXB-8500 8mm tape drive. Device type of 35 displays as 8mm tape drive. Regardless of the 'pretty print' data. Under 2.6, the 'pretty print' string is returned to mt status, just as configured in st.conf.
I was able to prove this by change device type from 29 to 35 and back. Using modunload/modload, the changes were reflected immediately in "mt status". When I used "drvconfig;devlinks;tapes" after removing the /dev/rmt/* files, the changes did not show up.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Fri Sep 28 2001 - 23:14:10 CDT