Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!jjr From: jjr@ut-emx.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.rt Subject: Determining Density and Cluster Size for Tape Backup Message-ID: <17911@ut-emx.UUCP> Date: 31 Aug 89 18:14:20 GMT Reply-To: jjr@emx.utexas.edu (Jeff Rodriguez) Organization: Dept. of Elec. Engr.; U. of TX at Austin Lines: 12 I use "cat list | backup -i -f$DEVICE -d$DENSITY -C$CLUSTER" to backup files to a streaming tape cartridge. What are the appropriate values for $DEVICE, $DENSITY, and $CLUSTER? I have been using $DEVICE = /dev/rmt8, $DENSITY = 700 bytes per inch (default value), and $CLUSTER = 2000 blocks. I use a 3M DC 300 XL/P data cartridge (450 feet, 6400 to 10000 ftpi, 310 oersted tape). What does "ftpi" represent, and how does that relate to the number of bytes per inch? Is 2000 the best cluster size? Is /dev/rmt8 the correct device? Any help would be much appreciated. jjr@emx.utexas.edu