[CLUE-Tech] tape backups

[Mike Staver]

So, how long should the -tf command take? I have a 24 gig tape:

root      1370  0.0  0.0  1752  540 pts/0    D    16:45   0:00 tar -tf
/dev/st0

The process doesn't appear to be doing anything, and the drive doesn't
look like it's working.... 

Ed Hill wrote:
> 
> On Wed, 2002-08-14 at 15:02, Mike Staver wrote:
> > So, if the tape already had data on it, it would automagically just
> > overwrite it?
> 
> It depends.  If you run:
> 
>   tar -rf /dev/st0  /path/to/backup
> 
> then it will append the files.  If you use:
> 
>   tar -cf /dev/st0  /path/to/backup
> 
> then it will overwrite.  And you can see what (if anything) is on a tape
> using:
> 
>   tar -tf /dev/st0
> 
> Note that on some older tape drive systems, you may have to re-wind the
> tape using something like "mt rewind".  On most newer tape drives, the
> unit will automatically rewind (and re-tension) for you.
> 
> I suggest that you:
> 
>   (1) browse the man and/or info pages for tar, and
> 
>   (2) put a tape in your unit and try out the commands above
>         for a few small (test) directories before writing a
>         backup script and adding a crontab entry for it.
> 
> Ed
> 
> --
> Edward H. Hill III, PhD
> Post-Doctoral Researcher   |  Email:  ed at eh3.com,  ehill at mines.edu
> Division of ESE            |  URLs:   http://www.eh3.com
> Colorado School of Mines   |    http://cesep.mines.edu/people/edhill.php
> Golden, CO  80401          |  Phone:  303-273-3483    Fax: 303-273-3311
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-- 

                                -Mike Staver
                                 staver at fimble.com
                                 mstaver at globaltaxnetwork.com