Problems backing up data
 

Im pretty much a newbie to linux and ive come accross a problem, that i cant seem to solve or find any information on.

Ive been told my boss to look into backing up system data on tape using TAR and ARK.

Now, I understand them both i can create tar files and extract them with no problems. Im also able to use ARK to search through TAR files etc.

Now the problem im having is this, ive been told to create and store the TAR files on tape (which isnt a problem) from there im able to retrieve them using the command line, but apparently we MUST use ARK to retrieve the data, is this possible?? I for the life of me cant get ARK to even access the tape let alone untar the files.

Can anyone help?

Is your /TAPE env var set?

I have never used ark, but can't find any reference to tape control. Without this - being able to forward and rewind, etc - I can't imagine how to go about accessing the tape directly.

[BUMP]

BTW - your subject line should be "How do I access a tape drive thru ark"

And this porbably belongs in the SW instead of security forum.

sorry about that, i would re-post it but im sure people will tell me to stop posting the same topic in different rooms.

ive come to the conclusion that i will not do it thru ark, in fact ive pretty much given up on it all together.
does anyomne know of any software that will access tape and has a gui interface?