How to access the tape drive?
 

Hi All,

I just wanted to access the tape drive on Suse Linux7.3 in order to list its contents. In addition, I wanted to create a tape drive shortcut on desktop as well. Please anyone direct me how/where I should start.

Thanks for any help.

Lenka

You must know if your drive is supported (probably is) and if the support is enabled.

I don't know tape drives, but you should take a look on /usr/src/Documentation/devices.txt

It's a list with all devices names and numbers (such as hd*, fd*, zero, null etc.).

You must install kernel sources in order to get it or try to find it somewhere in the net.

I don't know how to create shortcuts, because I almost don't use X. When I do it, I run IceWM, with a toolbar I wrote :-)

HTH,

vfs.

Hi,
Thanks for your response. I do appreciate it. Finally I am able to access the tape drive on Suse Linux 7.3

Here is a tip which can be of help to someone who runs into the same problems as I did.

First issue this command line:

mt -f /dev/st0 rewind

then you can start performing backup your database by entering this command:

tar -cvf /dev/st0 /test #/test is a directory you want to back up

That's all. Here is the link where you can find useful information.

http://www.linux-mag.com/1999-07/guru_01.html

Lenka

Thanks
 

Thank you. This helps alot. I am using suse 9.0 and everything in this post is accurate for 9.0 as well. you may have to use /dev/nst0 as the tape device though.:)