[comp.unix.i386] UNIX Driver for JUMBO Tape Backup

enc@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US (Erez N. Carmel) (08/28/90)

I have a Colorado Memory Systems tape backup, which used to serve
under DOS.  CMS does not seem to have a Unix driver available. Did
anybody have any Unix success with this drive?  Can VPIX help?
-- 
#############################################################
# As soon as I discover this, #  SAC-*NIX, Sacramento, Ca.  #  
#     I will change it!       # UUCP=..ames!pacbell!sactoh0 #
########################default .sig#########################

gaf@uucs1.UUCP (gaf) (08/30/90)

In article <3819@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US> enc@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US (Erez N. Carmel) writes:
>I have a Colorado Memory Systems tape backup, which used to serve
>under DOS.  CMS does not seem to have a Unix driver available. Did
>anybody have any Unix success with this drive?  Can VPIX help?

The CMS Jumbo tape we have looks to the PC like a floppy disk drive, and
2.2 Interactive Unix has a driver for "floppy tape" drives.  Our experience
with it has been less than wonderful, though.

The tape moves *very* slowly, with *very* long pauses for no obvious reason.
We've tried both the simple (cat /etc/passwd >/dev/ftape) and the complex
(find / -print | cpio -ocBv | ftape /dev/ftape), with the above result.
We even went so far as to format the tape and started to do a verify operation.
45 minutes into the verify we ran out of patience and decided it wasn't
worth the trouble.

We've got a Wangtek streamer on order now.
-- 
Guy Finney					It's that feeling of deja-vu
UUCS inc.   Phoenix, Az				all over again.
ncar!noao!asuvax!hrc!uucs1!gaf	sun!sunburn!gtx!uucs1!gaf

dave@westmark.UU.NET (Dave Levenson) (08/30/90)

In article <3819@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US>, enc@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US (Erez N. Carmel) writes:
> I have a Colorado Memory Systems tape backup, which used to serve
> under DOS.  CMS does not seem to have a Unix driver available. Did
> anybody have any Unix success with this drive?  Can VPIX help?

I have seen CMS' announcements that UNIX support is coming.  XENIX
support is already available.  I've spoken with their customer
support hotline (800 432 5858) about this.  They claim that it's in
beta testing.  Every time I've spoken with them, they have given me
an estimated availability date that was a month or two from now.
Their most recent claim (7/15) is that it will be shipping in
September of 1990, or a few weeks from now.  This has been going on
for about a year, so I'm not holding my breath, but I'll be calling
them again in late September to see if it's still vapor-ware.
-- 
Dave Levenson			Voice: 908 647 0900  Fax: 908 647 6857
Westmark, Inc.			UUCP: {uunet | rutgers | att}!westmark!dave
Warren, NJ, USA			AT&T Mail: !westmark!dave
[The Man in the Mooney]		

savage@boulder.Colorado.EDU (Metallica Rules) (08/31/90)

In article <3819@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US> enc@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US (Erez N. Carmel) writes:
>I have a Colorado Memory Systems tape backup, which used to serve
>under DOS.  CMS does not seem to have a Unix driver available. Did
>anybody have any Unix success with this drive?  Can VPIX help?

Colorado Memory Systems has been working on this problem for a while.
I received a beta version back in feb, and just recently called them
back for an update.  They said the might be going on the market with
their completed driver and software sometime next week.  The told
me to call back on the 4th of Sept. and see if they are producing it yet
and not having more problems.  But what ever they have must be allot
better than the beta version I have.  Give them a call at their new
800 number

1-800-432-5858

and ask for their Jumbo tape driver for a UNIX system.

About VPIX???  I havn't tried it.

Chuck
savage%tigger@boulder.colorado.edu