Multiple cpio/tar files on Apple Tape

[Rick Auricchio]

In article <AUXPOST%90032510412694 at PUCC.BITNET> MATLEVAN at EKU.BITNET (Jerry LeVan) writes:
>Hello,
>Has anyone out there used the Apple Tape Cartridge to store
>multiple tar/cpio file archives? It is clear that the "norewind"
>device must be used, but does the tape driver write and eof mark?
>Should the "mt" command be used to write eof marks after each
>archive?
	The driver correctly writes TWO EOF marks, then backspaces
	between them, so that if you continue with another file you
	get the proper single EOF between files, and two at the
	end of all files.  Exact emulation of 9track tape.

Is there any way to determine how many archives are stored
>on the tape...
	Keep doing "mt fsf 1" commands (on the norewind device)
	and "mt status" commands and watch for the block to bump
	by only one block (which means you hit another eof instantly).

	Or, simply run dd >/dev/null, counting the dd commands until
	one returns "0+0 blocks in".  That last one is hitting an
	instant EOF at the double EOF.

-- 
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Rick Auricchio, Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariani Av MS 58A Cupertino CA 95014
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