How to check if a tape is inserted

[Mason Liu]

Is there a simple way to tell whether a tape is in the drive? Not sure if "mt status" can do this.

Also, fbackup allows me to notify a user when it's done. Can I attach a file with that notification msg? If not, I have to sendmail.

Thanks.

[MAD_2]

You may do it as described below, but first you must know your device location (name), it will be something like /dev/rmt/0m, or /dev/rmt/1m (normally 0m if you only have one tape drive). To check the status do this:

mt -t status
i.e.:
mt -t /dev/rmt/0m status

[MAD_2]

You may also write a small script that will notify users of the tape status, let's say if you are running a special backup and want someone to be notified if the backup fails due to tape problems, see attachment.

[Corthouts Carlo]

Hi,

The best way to check this is with :

mt -t status (10.20)
mt -f status (11.00)

[Mason Liu]

I will try Mynor's script. This is a Oracle online backup script I was writing on HP-UX 11.00. If the tape is not ready, I don't want the script to mess up with the tablespaces.

I did a "mt offl" at the end of the script to eject the tape. This check can be useful if someone forgets to change tape.

Thanks.