ltf(1)
NAME
ltf − labeled tape facility
SYNTAX
ltf option[keys] file...
DESCRIPTION
The ltf command reads and writes single-volume Versions 3 and 4 ANSI-compatible tape volumes. For a description of the label conventions, see ltf(5). The file argument specifies each file or directory name that is to be processed. If a directory is specified when creating a volume, only its name need be specified. That is, no succeeding slash is required. The complete directory tree will be written to the volume. When extracting or creating a table of contents for a directory, the directory name and a slash asterisk ( /* ) must be specified. This will access the first level of the directory only. To extract or create a table of contents for a subdirectory, the directory name, slash, subdirectory name, and a slash asterisk must be specified.
OPTIONS
The actions of ltf are controlled by one of the following option characters that must appear as the first command-line argument: −c, −t, and −x.
−c Create a new volume. That is, ltf initializes the volume and writes each named file onto the output file. Then ltf assigns an “interchange” file name to the files being created on the volume. This “interchange” file name is a name that can be recognized by a non-ULTRIX system. (Permissable ULTRIX file names are not allowed in all forms of ANSI volumes). This file name is 17 characters in length and includes only capital letters and the “a” characters. It is formed by converting all lower case letters to upper case, converting non-“a” characters to upper case Z, and truncating the resultant string to 17 characters. If ANSI Version 4 volumes are being used, the original ULTRIX file name is preserved in HDR3 through HDR9 and EOF3 through EOF9. For further information, see ltf(5).
−t List each named file on the specified volume. If no file argument is given, information about all files on the volume is provided. If −t is used without v or V (verbose keys), the interchange file names are also included in the list.
−x Extract each named file from the volume. If the p key was specified and the files were written on the volume by an ULTRIX system, the files are restored to their original mode, owner (user ID), and group ID. Otherwise, the files are restored to the current user and group IDs and to the mode set by the umask system call. If no file argument is given, the entire content of the volume is extracted.
The following optional keys can be specified to enable or disable ltf actions as specified:
a Output an ANSI-compatible Version 3 format volume. The default version is 4. For further information, see ltf(5).
g Select a 6250 GCR tape device with a device name of /dev/rgt0.
h Output to a volume the file(s) that a symbolic link points to instead of creating the symbolic link on a volume. The file(s) have the same name as the symbolic link name. When extracting from the volume, if the symbolic link is present in the current directory, the link is followed and the extracted file(s) are placed in the file(s) that the link points to. Otherwise, if the symbolic does not exist, the extracted file(s) are placed in the directory with the same name as the symbolic link.
k Select a TK50 tape device with a device name of /dev/rtk0.
n Select a 800 bpi tape device with a device name of /dev/rmt0.
o Omit directory blocks from the output volume. When creating a volume, the directory files are omitted, and when tabling or extracting, the V key is disabled.
O Omit the usage of the optional headers 3 through 9 (HDR3 through HDR9 and EOF3 through EOF9). For further information, see ltf(5). If a file is created on an ULTRIX system without the use of the O key, these file headers contain the complete ULTRIX disk file name. Some non-ULTRIX systems are not able to process volumes containing these header labels. Thus, it is helpful to use this qualifier to avoid unnecessary error messages when planning to use these systems.
p Restore each file to its original mode, owner (user ID), and group ID. This key can be used with the −x option and by the superuser only.
v Displays more information about the volume and the files on it. Normally, ltf operates with little terminal output. When used in conjunction with the −t function, v gives more information about the volume entries than when used in conjuction with the −c. The following line is typical output from −tv and −x functions.
ltf: Volume ID is: ULTRIX Volume is: ANSI Version #4
ltf: Owner ID is: OwnerID
ltf: Implementation ID is: SystemID
ltf: Volume created on: System
t(1,1) rw-r--r-- 103/3 owner Feb 2 12:34 2530 bytes <cc >D file1
t(2,1) rw-r--r-- 103/3 owner Jun 29 09:34 999 bytes <com>D file2
t(3,1) rwxrwxrwx 293/10 name Jan 24 10:20 1234 bytes <bin>F name
t(4,1) --xrwx--- 199/04 theowner Jan 24 10:21 12345 bytes <asc>D
long file name
The first field contains the file sequence number and the file section number of the file. If an ULTRIX system created the labeled volume, the second and third fields contain the mode, and owner/group ID of the file. Otherwise, these two fields are filled with dashes. The fourth field contains the file owner name. The fifth field contains latest modification time. appears for an ULTRIX system created volume with a modification time that occured in the current year. The sixth field contains the number of bytes used on the volume for the file. If the volume is non-ULTRIX, this field contains the number of blocks. The seventh field contains the ANSI file type (angle brackets) and the file record format (one character suffix). The file record formats are: F (fixed length), D (variable length), or S (spanned/segmented records). The eighth (last) field contains name of the file. If the file name does not fit within the 12 spaces left in the line, the name appears on the next line preceded by a carriage return. A long file name will be continued over one or more lines thus it is recommended to keep the auto wrap set in the terminal setup. Also if a file on a volume is either a symbolic or hard link, information about the linked file is displayed on the next line, preceded by a carriage return.
V Display additional verbose information about directories.
w Warn either if a file name is in danger of being truncated when using −c or if a file name could be overwritten using −x. Normally, ltf operates silently and does not let the user know what is happening. When −cw is specified, ltf displays two warning messages if the interchange name and the ULTRIX file name are not the same. When −xw is specified, ltf displays a warning message if a file is about to be overwritten. Another message is displayed asking for approval to overwrite the file. If the user types no or presses return, then the option exists to type in a new file name or press return to quit. If a new file name is typed, this name is also checked. Thus, ltf does not continue until a unique file name is typed. When −x is specified, ltf does not warn the user if a directory name already exists.
0..9 Select a unit number for a named tape device. These unit numbers can be used along with g, k, and n keys.
The following optional keys require an additional argument to be specified on the command line. If two or more of these keys are used, their respective arguments are to appear in the exact order that the keys are specified.
B size Set the blocking factor to size. This specifies the maximum number of bytes that can be written in a block on a volume. If no value is specified, size defaults to the maximum of 2048 bytes. The minimum size is 18 bytes. The B key need only be specified with −c. The size may be specified as n bytes, (where n is assumed to be decimal) or as nb, (a multiple of 512 bytes using n followed by ’b’, where ’b’ signifies the multiple of 512) or as nk, (a multiple of 1024 bytes using n followed by ’k’, where ’k’ signifies the multiple of 1024).
f device Set the device file name to device. The default is /dev/rht0. The use of the f key overrides the g, k, n, and 0..9 keys.
I file Specify an alternate method of supplying file names. Normally, ltf expects the argument file names to be part of the commandline. The I key allows the user to enter argument file names either interactively or from a specifed file. If a dash (−) is specified as a file name, ltf reads standard input and prompts for all required information. All of the file names are requested first followed by a single return before the arguments are processed. If the input file name is a valid file name, the file is opened and read to obtain argument file names.
L label Specify a six character volume label.
P position Specify the file sequence and section number at which the volume will be positioned when ltf begins operating. The position is specified by #,# (first #, represents the file sequence number, while second #, the file section). If no file arguments are specified, all files from the position number to the end of the tape are tabled or extracted. Otherwise, particular files that exist between the position number and the end of the tape can be tabled or extracted. A warning message appears if a file is requested that exists before the position number specified. It is illegal to use the P key with −c (results in a fatal error message).
R length Set record length to length. This argument is either a record length for fixed-length records in bytes or a maximum record length for variable length records. When writing text files (variable length record) files, the record length must be at least as large as the longest line. If there is a line longer than the record length, the file will have segmented record format. The maximum and default is 512-byte records, and the minimum is 1 byte records.
EXAMPLES
ltf -cfB /dev/rht1 100 file1 file2 file3
This example creates a new volume for file1 file2 and file3 using device /dev/rht1 (f key) and a blocking factor of 100 (B key).
DIAGNOSTICS
Diagnostics are written to the standard error file. They come in four forms: fatal errors, warnings, information, and prompts. The ltf command terminates when it detects that a fatal error has occurred. The diagnostics are intended to be self-explanatory. Their general format is:
ltf: FATAL > a fatal error message
ltf: Warning > a warning or advisory message
ltf: Info > an information message
ltf: a prompt asking for input
RESTRICTIONS
The ltf command does not support floppy diskettes.
During read operations, the ltf command reads a maximum block size of 10240-bytes.