how to change a tape device filename

[Nabil Boussetta]

i'd like to change a tape device filename from /dev/rmt/0mn to /dev/rmt/1mn.
how to do?

[Pete Randall]

Here's a guide:

1. Use "ioscan" to find out what the current device files look like and what th
e instance number is:
ioscan -kfnCtape


2. Use "mksf" to create each of the four types of device files:

/sbin/mksf -d stape -I 12 -a -b BEST rmt/12m
/sbin/mksf -d stape -I 12 -u -b BEST rmt/12mb
/sbin/mksf -d stape -I 12 -a -n -b BEST rmt/12mn
/sbin/mksf -d stape -I 12 -u -n -b BEST rmt/12mnb


3. Use "ll" to compare your newly created device files with those created by the
system. Major and minor numbers should match between corresponding entries (205
0x061000 for both 12m and the equivalent c6t1d0BEST):

ll /dev/rmt |more

crw-rw-rw 1 bin bin 205 0x061000 Mar 17 08:40 12m
.
.
.
crw-rw-rw 1 bin bin 205 0x061000 Mar 17 08:40 c6t1d0BEST
.
.
.



4. repeat the ioscan to double check that your new device files are associated w
ith the correct tape drive:

ioscan -kfnCtape



I was using 12m in the example but you can use anything you want.


Pete

[Robert-Jan Goossens]

How about creating a link to /dev/rmt1mn ?

# ln -s /dev/rmt/0mn /dev/rmt/1mn

Regards,
Robert-Jan

[Thierry Poels_1]

hi,

renaming tape, lan ... device filenames is tricky stuff.

How about creating a simple link?
ln -s /dev/rmt/0mn /dev/rmt/1mn

or always use links:
ln -s /dev/rmt/0mn /dev/rmt/DLT1
ln -s /dev/rmt/1mn /dev/rmt/LTO2
...

regards,
Thierry.

[Bill Hassell]

Actually, tape device names are quite neutral. You can simply use mv to rename the device file. Other than some default 0mn names in tar and other backup tools, you can rename 0mn to tape37 if you want. Note also that insf/mksf create some lengthy names that are duplicates of other device file values. A tape device file is just a connection to the driver (major number) and options for the tape operation (minor number) such as rewind and density. There are no special connections to the 0mn 1mn 2mn ... names other than historic.

[Hoang Chi Cong_1]

Hi Nabil

Here are the proceduces:

1. rm -f /dev/rmt/*
2. insf -eC tape

That's all!

Goodluck

[Nguyen Anh Tien]

Hi Nabil.
I recommand you use hard link. (read Hard link doc at attached doc)
#ln /dev/rmt/0mn /dev/rmt/1mn
I usually use this way for my tape in backup.
HTH