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)