tape(1)
tape --
magnetic tape maintenance
Synopsis
tape [-type] command [device]
Description
tape
sends commands to and receives status from the tape subsystem.
tape
can communicate with
QIC-24/QIC-02 cartridge tape drives and SCSI tape drives.
tape
reads
/etc/default/tape
to find the default device name for sending
commands and receiving status.
For example, the following line in
/etc/default/tape
will cause
tape
to communicate with the first cartridge tape device:
device = /dev/rmt/ctape1
If device is specified on the command line,
it overrides the default device.
tape takes the following flag:
-type-
Specify the type of tape drive, where type can be
``c'' for non-SCSI devices, and ``s'' for SCSI
devices.
This option is maintained for backward compatibility with
SCO systems only.
On UnixWare systems, both SCSI and non-SCSI tape drives are
handled in a common manner by the same target driver (st01),
thus specifying type has no effect.
Commands
The value of command may be one of the following:
erase-
Erase and retension the tape cartridge.
reset-
Reset tape controller and tape drive.
This command clears error conditions and
returns tape subsystem to power-up state.
reten-
Retension tape cartridge.
This command
should be used periodically to remedy slack tape problems.
Tape slack can cause an unusually large number of tape errors.
rewind-
Rewind to beginning of tape.
rfm-
Wind tape forward to the next file mark.
The reset
command can be used while the tape is busy with other operations.
All other commands wait until the currently executing
command has been completed before proceeding.
When you are using the non-rewinding
tape device or the tape command
rfm, the tape drive light remains on after the
command has been completed, indicating that more operations may be
performed on the tape.
The tape rewind command may be used to clear this condition.
Devices
Node names for device and their corresponding functionality are:
ctape*-
Does not retension tape at open.
Rewinds and does not unload tape at close.
nrtape*-
Retensions tape at open.
Does not rewind and does not unload tape at close.
ntape*-
Does not retension tape at open.
Does not rewind and does not unload tape at close.
rtape*-
Retensions tape at open.
Rewinds and does not unload tape at close.
utape*-
Does not retension tape at open.
Rewinds and unloads tape at close.
Files
/dev/rmt/ctape*
/dev/rmt/nrtape*
/dev/rmt/ntape*
/dev/rmt/rtape*
/dev/rmt/utape*
/etc/default/tape
/usr/include/sys/tape.h
References
cpio(1),
dd(1M),
st01(7),
tar(1)
© 2004 The SCO Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
UnixWare 7 Release 7.1.4 - 25 April 2004