
unix linux frequently asked questions
hp learning products
http://www.hp.com/support/tape
may have a later version
data protection
drivers FAQs
windows NT
netware
unix - SCO
unix - linux
frequently asked questions
"How do I configure a tape drive?"
contents of this section
related topics
automatic configuration
identifying the SCSI tape drive
target
back to list of questions
previous question
next question
This topic is available in English only
automatic configuration
In order to configure a tape for the OS, you need the transport driver, and the tape
devices configured appropriately. This will happen automatically assuming they
are cabled in correctly and have no SCSI id conflicts.
For details, refer to the answer to the question
"How do I know what tape drivers I
am using at the moment, and what drivers do I need for running tape backups?"
identifying the SCSI tape drive target
If you wish to check that the drive you have present is seen by the operating
system, examine the boot-time output with dmesg. Enter the command:
% dmesg | more
and look for a message like:
st0: …..
which identifies a SCSI tape target. Tapes are numbered sequentially as found by
the OS starting at 0.
/dev/stX
Rewinding SCSI tape device X
/dev/nstX
Non-rewinding SCSI tape device X
The no-rewind device is used to create multiple archives on one tape. Normally
after running a backup command to the tape device, the tape driver will rewind the
media to the start of tape.
The no-rewind device leaves the media positioned just after the filemark written
after the end of the previous backup session. This then allow multiples backups
on the same piece of media.
next question
Go to the next question
"How do I tell if my tape driver and drivers are correctly
set up?"
© 1999-2001, Hewlett-Packard Company
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/topher.COL-SPRINGS/Desktop/dltvs80%20manual/document/common/drivers_faqs/eng/ul_q2.htm [11/29/2001 8:34:50 AM]