Backup command

ust · 06-07-2009, 09:16 PM

I would like to use cpio to write file to backup tape , I tried to use man to find the parameter but still can't find anthing ..

Can advise if I want to format / erase the file in the tape before backup , what can i do ? if I DO not want the tape to be ejected from the drvie after backup , what can i do ? thx in advance.

choogendyk · 06-08-2009, 07:31 AM

You want the mt command -- `man mt`. Assuming your tape drive is st0, you will have additional device names going to the same drive. nst0 will be the non-rewinding version of the tape drive. If you use that, it will not rewind after each operation. The tape shouldn't eject unless specifically requested.

`mt -f /dev/nst0 status`, or just `mt status` should tell you what's up with the drive. If you want to erase, `mt -f /dev/nst0 erase`.