Remote Tape Backup Procedures on Linux

The following outlines how to back up data from a FireWire disk on a Linux system to a remote tape drive on an SGI. See here for general information on Unix tape backups.

Selecting a Tape Drive

We suggest using an 8mm tape drive on beetle for <10GB of data; use the DLT7000 on bao2 or the mammoth2 on beetle for more capacity. Click here for more information.

Each tape drive has its generic name written on it (eg, tps3d4.8500c). The tape name you will actually use is derived from the generic name; in this case, it will be /dev/rmt/tps3d4.8500c -- note that /dev/rmt/ is prepended to the generic name.

For this example, we will assume that you are using the 8mm tape on beetle whose generic name is tps3d4v.8500c.

Creating a Tape Backup

Make sure the FireWire disk is mounted on the Linux workstation. See here for FireWire procedures.
Assume all the files you want to back up are located in a single directory tree, eg, /local/fire/projectx and its subdirectories. This procedure will create a log file listing all the files copied to the tape.
Load your tape cartridge into the tape drive labelled tps3d4.8500c.
In your Core home directory (/srv/people/username), create or edit the file named .rhosts to include the name of the Linux computer you are using; e.g., emperor.core.
cd /local/fire/projectx
tar cvbf 64 beetle.core:/dev/rmt/tps3d4.8500c . >& ~/projectx.tarlog

After the backup is complete:

Eject the tape.
Label the tape with the date, the data stored (projectx), and the tar command used: tar cvbf 64.
Write-protect the tape
Put tape back in the drive and list contents to verify tape can be read
(optional) Print your logfile ~/projectx.tarlog
Eject and store tape along with the printout of your logfile.

Listing the Contents of a Tape Backup

Assuming the same tape drive in the previous example:

write-protect the tape and load it in the tape drive
tar tvf beetle.core:/dev/rmt/tps3d4.8500c
Note that the "b" blocksize specification should be unnecessary, as it will be automatically detected from the tape.
You may use [Ctrl-C] to interrupt the listing.

Restoring a Tape Backup

Assuming you are using the same tape drive in the previous example, and want to restore the tape files to /local/fire/myfiles/:

Write-protect the tape and load it in the tape drive
cd /local/fire/myfiles/
tar xvf beetle.core:/dev/rmt/tps3d4.8500c
Note that the "b" blocksize specification should be unnecessary, as it will be automatically detected from the tape.

If errors occur in restoring a tape created on another computer, it is likely a problem with the block size. Ask one of the Core staff for assistance.

Richards Center at Yale University

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Last Modified: Monday, 23-Feb-2004 14:20:25 EST