tape(1)                          UNIX System V                          tape(1)


NAME
      tape - magnetic tape maintenance

SYNOPSIS
      tape [ -csf8i ] [ -a arg ] 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 QIC-24/QIC-02
      cartridge tape device:

            device = /dev/rmt/c0s0

      If a device name is specified on the command line, it overrides the
      default device.  tape queries the device to determine its device type.
      If the device does not respond to the query, for example if the cartridge
      tape driver is from an earlier release, tape will print a warning message
      and assume the device is a QIC-24/QIC-02 cartridge tape.

OPTIONS
      You can explicitly specify the type of the device by using the device
      type flags, as follows:

            -c    QIC-24/QIC-02 cartridge tape
            -s    SCSI tape

COMMANDS
      The following commands can be used with the various tape drivers
      supported under UNIX.  The letters following each description indicate
      which drivers support each command:

            A     All drivers
            C     QIC-24/QIC-02 cartridge tape driver
            S     SCSI tape driver


      erase       Erase and retension the tape cartridge.  (C,S)

      reset       Reset tape controller and tape drive. Clears error conditions
                  and returns tape subsystem to power-up state.  (C,S)

      reten       Retension tape cartridge.  Should be used periodically to
                  remedy slack tape problems.  Tape slack can cause an
                  unusually large number of tape errors.  (A)





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tape(1)                          UNIX System V                          tape(1)


      rewind      Rewind to beginning of tape.  (A)

      rfm         Wind tape forward to the next file mark.  (C,S)

FILES
      Devices:

      /dev/rmt/c0s0
      /dev/rmt/c0s0n
      /dev/rmt/c0s0r
      /dev/rmt/c0s0nr
      /dev/rmt/c0t3d0s0

      /etc/default/tape

      Include files:

      /usr/include/sys/tape.h

SEE ALSO
      cpio(1), dd(1), tar(1)

      backup(1M), qt(7) restore(1M), xrestore(1M) in the System Administrator's
      Reference Manual

NOTES
      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.




















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