Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!gatech!mcdchg!heiby
From: heiby@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com (Ron Heiby)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.m68k
Subject: Re: Motorola Delta 3640 Tar Problem
Message-ID: <22503@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com>
Date: 23 Jun 89 23:28:28 GMT
References: <2046@csuna.csun.edu>
Reply-To: heiby@chg.mcd.mot.com (Ron Heiby)
Distribution: na
Organization: Motorola Microcomputer, Schaumburg, IL
Lines: 26

Scott Neugroschl (abcscnge@csuna.csun.edu) writes:
> Hi.  On my new 3640 box at work, tar(1) seems to run incredibly slowly.
> It seems to spend an awful lot of time seeking the tape.  Am I doing something
> wrong?
> ...
> The command I am using is:
> 
> 	$ tar cvf /dev/TAPE.CART files

Perhaps if you instead used the command:
	$ tar cvbf 20 /dev/TAPE.CART files

That way, you specify a larger block size to tar.  The only way to get decent
performance with a cartridge tape drive is to keep it running with rather
large blocks.  Personally, I use something like:
	find files (sorta) -print | cpio -ocvB > /dev/TAPE.CART

The drive seems to keep going pretty well, with few start/stops.  Of course,
load on your systems, particularly disk activity, will reduce your ability
to keep your tape drive fed with data constantly.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.  I'll help you get in
touch with your local support.
-- 
Ron Heiby, heiby@chg.mcd.mot.com	Moderator: comp.newprod
"Life is indeed an inexplicable sequence of imponderable surprises."