Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:28:43 -0400 From: Renee Gehlbach <fbsd-ml@gehlbach.com> To: Robert Bonomi <bonomi@mail.r-bonomi.com> Cc: questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Problem reading from tape drive -- SOLVED, or at least a workaround Message-ID: <4E5FB2BB.5070805@gehlbach.com> In-Reply-To: <201108270043.p7R0hul1028575@mail.r-bonomi.com> References: <201108270043.p7R0hul1028575@mail.r-bonomi.com>
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>> Is there any way I could test to make sure this is in fact what's happening? > Try writing several files to the tape, each in it's own operation, > and issue a 'mt -bsf' between each operation. > > THEN try reading from the tape. with just successive 'read' operations. > *NO* 'mt' positioning > > If everything is working 'properly', there will be *ONLY*ONE* file on the tape. > > If there is an O/S failure to 'backspace on close' you'll get all the original > files, one on each read attempt. > > If the O/S has a _complete_ 'failure to backspace', you'll get a tape that > functions identially to your earlier tests -- you can find all the file > by 'mt -fsf' between reads > > Other things to try. > 1) *write* a multi-file tape under Unbuntu, and try to read it under FreeBSD. > 2) *write* a multi-file tape under FreeBSD, and try to read it under Unbuntu. > 3) If there are read issues, see if the 'mt -fsf' hack allows you to > find everything. > OK, it's definitely an O/S failure to backspace on close, because the tape does read properly when I manually backspace after each file. >> Unfortunately, the "workaround" of running mt -fsf >> after every file read > if it worked, 'mf -bsf' after every _write_ would be a better solution.<grin> > But it probably suffers from the same 'not really usable' defect. *cheers* And YES!!!! That's a usable workaround! Luckily enough, Bacula will run a script after each backup job, all I'll have to do is add a mt -bsf command to that script! > _I_ have no clue what 'bacula' is -- sounds sort-of like a Transylvanian > back-up utility. One with 'fangs' init, and issues with mirrors.<grin> Close! It's a multi-platform client-server backup application. Its tagline used to be something like "Comes in the night, and sucks the essence from your computers." When I went to check the precise wording, though, it's no longer on their logo. I guess someone objected.....too bad, I got a kick from that tagline. I find it to be a great open-source replacement for backup exec. I can have the Bacula server and tape drive on one FreeBSD or Linux box, and install clients on all of my other FreeBSD & Linux servers, and Linux & Windows desktops to back them all up to that one tape drive. Thanks for all of your help!!!!!! Renee
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