Re: Tar -M55

Clive Jarman (cnj@bruker.com)
Tue, 1 Mar 94 15:31:43 EST

Dear Rudi,
>
> The Bruker X32 tar is supposed to use the -Mxx argument to use more
> than one tape. From the man page:
> -------------
> -M <xxx>
> Used with 'tar c' key. <xxx> is a decimal number and specifies
> the tape capacity in Megabytes. If this option is used, the
> program will determine if a given file will fit on the current
> cassette. If the cassette is nearly full, it will rewind the
> current cassette, ask for the next one, and go on storing
> data. If the program encounters a file being larger than the
> specified cassette capacity, it prints a message and ignores
> the file.
>
> Examples:
> # tar -M40 cv .... for 450-ft cassette
> # tar -M55 cv .... for 600-ft cassette
> --------------------
> Our tar version 920730 happily accepts the -M55 argument and promptly
> quits at the end of tape:
> TQF: At end of tape
> further I/O suppressed
> etc. etc.
>
> Can anyone comment on this? Any known working versions?
>
Yes. It does work! I have successfully backed up all of the /u
partition using tar 920730 from the 930301 boot tape. I inserted a
60MB tape in the tape drive and gave the command:
tar -M55 cv *
from the /u directory. At the end of 55 MB, it rewound the tape and
asked me to insert a new tape on which it copyied the remaining data.
I also tried the same command using a 45MB tape and received a similar
error message to the one you described. The size that you specify in the
command line to tar must be less than the actual size of the tape.
I hope this helps.

Best Regards,
Clive Jarman

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