How to write using tar after the last file in the tape

[siva0123]

Hi,

I've written some files to a tape using tar with no rewind option

I want to list the files in tape and i'll be using tar -tvf option.

I presume that listing the tape will rewind the tape automatically , if not it will atleast request me to rewind the tape.

In either case what should i do to make the tape point to the location where it has written the last file so that i can start writting to the tape again without losing my earlier files.

Sorry if it is a beginner's question!!! :-(

Thanks,
Siva

[Piergiacomo Perini]

Hi Siva,

i'm not absolutely sure but you can try with "-r" option .

hth
regards
pg

[Peter Godron · Accepted solution]

Siva,
please see:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=205964

More details on mt command options (bsf,fsf) "man mt"

[Coolmar]

tar -r will not work if the archive is a tape.

From the man page. "Add the named file to the end of the archive. The same blocking factor used to create the archive must be used to append to it. This option cannot be used if the archive is a tape."

Check out this thread, it might help:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=734220

[siva0123]

Thanks all

[Geetha_1]

Siva,

Try this command

mt -f /dev/rmt/0mn offl

It rewinds the tape and goes off line. (Note: substitute the device name as appropriate).

Geetha.