Backup responsibility (was Re: Misaligned tape heads)

[Ian Darwin]

Omar A. Karim (karim at uncecs.edu) writes:
> BOTTOM LINE:  Misaligned tape heads can make ALL your dumps USELESS!

That's correct. WHENEVER your tape drive is serviced, alligned, or
otherwise modified, as well as periodically, it is your (or whoever is the
system admin at your particular site) responsibility to try reading
newly-written backup tapes on a DIFFERENT drive.  No ifs, ands, or buts.
This should not be costly if done as part of an off-site storage program
for backups (why bother doing backups at all if ALL will be ashes when
your building burns down)?

Ian Darwin
ian at sq.com

Verify your backups today -- tomorrow strikes at dawn!