Command to get tape capacity status?

Scott R. Ehrlich scott at MIT.EDU
Sat Apr 12 14:26:52 UTC 2008


On Sat, 12 Apr 2008, Mikkel L. Ellertson wrote:

> Scott R. Ehrlich wrote:
>> Hello to all:
>> 
>> I have an Overland tape library connected, via SCSI card, to an out-of-box, 
>> full install of CentOS 5 install on an old PC.
>> 
>> I have a script that uses tar to archive data to tape and mtx to change 
>> tapes. What I don't know, if possible, is to obtain the status of how much 
>> tape is left in the drive.   If I get a write failure, I'd like to know if 
>> the tape is bad or has run out of space.
>> 
>> I know of bacula, amanda, and other backup methods, but I prefer to use the 
>> simplest options possible, mainly because if a hard drive failure occurs, 
>> which has happened at the last minute, I can take the original CentOS 5 
>> media from CD, install it, and get back up and running in no time.
>> 
>> So, any way to inquire remaining tape status and [estimated] capacity?
>> 
>> Thanks.
>> 
>> Scott
>> 
> Have you looked at the mt command from the mt-st package?
>

Yes I have.  I guess I should look into playing with its eom option.

Additional insights always welcome.

Thanks.

Scott

> Mikkel
> -- 
>
>  Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
> for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!
>
>




More information about the users mailing list