tape backup mt .... erase slow
 

I have a 20/40 GB Compaq DAT drive. When I do mt -f /dev/st0 erase it takes a LONG time.

With ArcServe on my Novell server, I have a Quick Erase/Format option.

Is there a quick erase option with mt command.

Or is there no need to erase, does Dump just overwrite everything each time?

Thanks

As long as you run mt -f /dev/st0 rewind before running dump you should not have to worry about erasing. I also believe I am getting longer tape life since I stopped erasing tapes.