sg_format version: 1.34 20160209

usage: sg_format [--cmplst=0|1] [--count=COUNT] [--dcrt] [--early] [--ffmt] [--fmtpinfo=FPI] [--format] [--help] [--ip_def] [--long] [--mode=MP] [--pfu=PFU] [--pie=PIE] [--pinfo] [--poll=PT] [--resize] [--rto_req] [--security] [--six] [--size=SIZE] [--tape=FM] [--verbose] [--verify] [--version] [--wait] DEVICE where: --cmplst=0|1 -C 0|1 sets CMPLST bit in format cdb (default: 1) --count=COUNT|-c COUNT number of blocks to report after format or resize. Format default is same as current --dcrt|-D disable certification (doesn't verify media) --early|-e exit once format started (user can monitor progress) --ffmt=FFMT|-t FFMT fast format (def: 0 -> possibly write to whole medium --fmtpinfo=FPI|-f FPI FMTPINFO field value (default: 0) --format|-F do FORMAT UNIT (default: report current count and size) use thrice for FORMAT UNIT command only --help|-h prints out this usage message --ip_def|-I initialization pattern: default --long|-l allow for 64 bit lbas (default: assume 32 bit lbas) --mode=MP|-M MP mode page (def: 1 -> RW error recovery mpage) --pie=PIE|-q PIE Protection Information Exponent (default: 0) --pinfo|-p set upper bit of FMTPINFO field (deprecated, use '--fmtpinfo=FPI' instead) --poll=PT|-x PT PT is poll type, 0 for test unit ready 1 for request sense (def: 0 (1 for tape)) --resize|-r resize (rather than format) to COUNT value --rto_req|-R set lower bit of FMTPINFO field (deprecated use '--fmtpinfo=FPI' instead) --security|-S set security initialization (SI) bit --six|-6 use 6 byte MODE SENSE/SELECT to probe disk (def: use 10 byte MODE SENSE/SELECT) --size=SIZE|-s SIZE bytes per logical block, defaults to DEVICE's current logical block size. Only needed to change current logical block size --tape=FM|-T FM request FORMAT MEDIUM with FORMAT field set to FM (def: 0 --> default format) --verbose|-v increase verbosity --verify|-y sets VERIFY bit in FORMAT MEDIUM (tape) --version|-V print version details and exit --wait|-w format command waits until format operation completes (default: set IMMED=1 and poll with Test Unit Ready) Example: sg_format --format /dev/sdc This utility formats a SCSI disk [FORMAT UNIT] or resizes it. Alternatively if '--tape=FM' is given formats a tape [FORMAT MEDIUM]. WARNING: This utility will destroy all the data on DEVICE when '--format' or '--tape' is given. Check that you have specified the correct DEVICE.