[comp.unix.wizards] Problems Backing Up Large Filesystems to Tape

chrisb@ALMSA-1.arpa (03/23/87)

I am trying to write dump procedures for a Sperry 5000/80 (same as Arete 1200)
running on Unix System V.2 and have run into difficulties trying to copy large
filesystems to tape using the tar and the cpio command.  I am copying at 6250
bpi in both cases.  On large filesystems that require more than one tape, both
tar and cpio go to the end of the tape, issue a tape write error message and
exit the tar or cpio command.  The volcopy command does prompt for additional
tapes; however, we have problems restoring files with this command since we do
not have an additional disk which is large enough for restoring our large
filesystems.

Is this the way the tar and cpio commands should handle end of tape or is this
something unique to the Sperry?

If this is normal, how do you backup large filesystems without writing your
own routines to calculate how much of a filesystem you copy to each tape?
We do not have source code on the Sperry so we can't modify that.

I do not currently subscribe to these mailing lists, please reply to:

Christy Blumenkamp<chrisb@almsa-1.arpa>
seismo!sysop@almsa-1.arpa
USAMC ALMSA, ATTN:  AMXAL-TS, Box 1578, St. Louis, MO  63188-1578
COMMERCIAL:  (314) 263-5901	AUTOVON:  693-5901

Thank you for your help.

				Christy Blumenkamp
				Operating Systems Division - ALMSA