tapecntl(1) UNIX System V tapecntl(1)
NAME
tapecntl - tape control for tape device
SYNOPSIS
tapecntl [-beilrtuvw] [-c arg] [-f arg] [-p arg] [special]
DESCRIPTION
tapecntl will send the optioned commands to the tape device driver sub-
device /dev/rmt/c0s0 for all options except the -e option (position),
which will use sub-device /dev/rmt/c0s0n using the ioctl command
function. Sub-device /dev/rmt/c0s0 provides a rewind on close
capability, while /dev/rmt/c0s0n allows for closing of the device without
rewind. Error messages will be written to standard error. special is the
tape device, and it defaults to /dev/rmt/c0s0n if not specified.
Not all options are supported by all tape devices and tape device
drivers.
The meaning of the options are:
-b block length limits
Reads block length limits from the tape device and displays
them.
-c [n] enable/disable Data Compression
Using an optional parameter of 0 will disable the Data
Compression. To enable, the compression algorithm must be
specified. The value for most DAT drives is 32. To obtain
the algorithm number, run tapecntl -i on a freshly booted
system. Be sure to disable data compression before using
the erase option on DAT drives or it will take an
unbelievably long time to complete the erase process. This
is only valid for drives that support Data Compression,
such as DAT drives.
-i inquiry
Query the tape for information on the Data Compression
algorithm being used and the compression status for the
drive. This is only valid for drives that support Data
Compression, such as DAT drives.
-l load tape
Loads the tape media to the tape device and positions the
tape at BOT.
-u unload tape
Unloads the tape media from the tape device. Depending on
the device, unloading may include ejecting the catridge.
-e erase tape
Erasing the tape causes the erase bar to be activated while
moving the tape from end to end, causing all data tracks to
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tapecntl(1) UNIX System V tapecntl(1)
be erased in a single pass over the tape.
-t retension tape
Retensioning the tape causes the tape to be moved from end
to end, thereby repacking the tape with the proper tension
across its length.
-r reset tape device
Reset of the tape device initializes the tape controller
registers and positions the tape at the beginning of the
tape mark (BOT).
-w rewind tape
Rewinding the tape will move the tape to the BOT.
-v set variable length block mode
Sets the tape device to read and write variable length
blocks.
-f[n] set fixed length block mode
sets the tape device to read abd write in fixed length
blocks of n bytes.
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tapecntl(1) UNIX System V tapecntl(1)
-p[n] position tape to ``end of file'' mark - n
Positioning the tape command requires an integer argument.
Positioning the tape will move the tape forward relative to
its current position to the end of the specified file mark.
The positioning option used with an argument of zero will
be ignored. Illegal or out-of-range value arguments to the
positioning command will leave the tape positioned at the
end of the last valid file mark.
Options may be used individually or strung together with selected options
being executed sequentially from left to right in the command line.
FILES
/usr/lib/tape/tapecntl
/sbin/tapecntl
/dev/rmt/c0s0n
/dev/rmt/c0s0
NOTES
Exit codes and their meanings are as follows:
exit (1) device function could not initiate properly due to
misconnected cables or poorly inserted tape cartridge.
exit (2) device function failed to complete properly due to
unrecoverable error condition, either in the command setup or
due to mechanical failure.
exit (3) device function failed due to the cartridge being write
protected or to the lack of written data on the tape.
exit (4) device /dev/rmt/c0s0n or /dev/rmt/c0s0 failed to open properly
due to already being opened or claimed by another process.
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