fbackup error

[Pramod M]

Hi,
My server details are below
Model : HP RX 4640 2 X 1.66 GHZ, 6 GB
HP UX 11i version 3
I am trying to backup files using fbackup utility and getting the below error. "output file /dev/rmt/0m is not a valid device file for backup "

=================================================
# fbackup -f /dev/rmt/0m -g graph -v
fbackup(1421): no history is available for graph file graph (below level 0)
fbackup(1004): session begins on Wed Feb 17 15:45:50 2010
fbackup(3038): output file /dev/rmt/0m is not a valid device file for backup
fbackup(3019): would you like to enter a new output file?
====================================================

This is the ioscan -fnC tape output
Class I H/W Path Driver S/W State H/W Type Description
=====================================================================
tape 0 0/4/1/0.5.0 stape CLAIMED DEVICE IBM ULTRIUM-TD3
/dev/rmt/0m /dev/rmt/c3t5d0BEST
/dev/rmt/0mb /dev/rmt/c3t5d0BESTb
/dev/rmt/0mn /dev/rmt/c3t5d0BESTn
/dev/rmt/0mnb /dev/rmt/c3t5d0BESTnb

However I am able to take backup using tar -cvf command. What will be the issue for the fbackup??

Waiting for your help...

Thanks in advance...
Pramod M

[Fabian Briseño]

Hello Pramod.
Have you tried using a different tape?, sometimes tape medium can be defective

also check your /var/adm/syslog/syslog.log file for more info on the error

[Pramod M]

Hi,
Yes I tried with different tape. Mean time I am able to take backup using 'tar' command.

Thanks....

Pramod M

[OldSchool]

I thought fbackup required a non-rewind device....can't get to the man page to check

did you try /dev/rmt/0mn ?

[R.K. #]

Hi Pramod,

You can also check if the server has patches related to these:

fbackup cumulative
SCSI tape driver cumulative
JFS patch

[Dennis Handly]

>OldSchool: I thought fbackup required a non-rewind device.

No, it says the opposite:
fbackup should not be used with no-rewind devices, for example, /dev/rmt/0mn.