Copying data on mass storage media

There are two approaches to copying data placed on mass storage media.

1. duplicate the entire contents of one medium to another

2. copy specific files from one medium to another

Which approach you choose depends on whether the filesystems are mounted, the data format, and the amount of data your are copying.

• If the filesystems on both media are already mounted, you can use the cp(1) command to perform either operation.

• If the filesystems on both media are not mounted, use the dd(1M) command.

• If the filesystems on both media are not mounted and the media is formatted in cpio format, run cpio(1).

• To copy entire filesystems from hard disk to tape or to another hard disk, use the volcopy(1M) command. This command is normally for large copy operations.