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From: jgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. DeArmond)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.i386
Subject: Re: Multiple tape backups with cpio
Message-ID: <3465@rsiatl.UUCP>
Date: 2 Aug 90 23:45:51 GMT
References: <1990Jul17.221141.5971@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us> <1437@mic.UUCP> <75@towers.UUCP> <1990Aug1.214903.699@cichlid.com>
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Organization: Radiation Systems, Inc. (a thinktank, motorcycle, car and gun works facility)
Lines: 42

aab@cichlid.com (Andrew A. Burgess) writes:

>I use SCO UNIX 3.2 and on this system the way this works is that cpio
>simply counts the bytes and then prompts you for a new tape when the
>count reaches the tape size (the tape size is explicitly set by parameters
>to cpio). No end of tape indication from the tape is required.
>If ISC does not work this way you should be able to insert
>a program into the pipeline (between cpio and the tape) that does this counting
>and prompts you to change tapes. Similarly when restoring, cpio wouldn't
>know the difference.

>Anyone see any problems with this?

>Andy


Yeah, it's way too complicated.  KISS. :-)  Cpio is SUPPOSED to detect end
of file and prompt you for a new tape.  Says so right in TFM.  At least
under ISC 2.0.2 and 2.2, it does not work. (experience with 4 systems so 
far in that regard.)  

The final solution is to get a copy of AFIO - available from comp.unix.sources
archives or I'll even mail copies as long as the requests don't get too
heavy).  This is a PD replacement for cpio that adds a number of new 
enhancements.  One of these is the ability to specify the size of each
device with a command line option.  I've added some enhancements such
as the ability to specify different devices when prompted for the next
"tape".  This allows one to recover gracefully when, for example, a 
backup fails in the middle of the 5th tape.  (just restart and send the
output to /dev/null and specify the tape drive when it prompts for the 5th
tape.)  Another benefit is that it is several times faster than cpio.

Afio has a few warts but it is vastly better than the stock cpio.  Highly
recommended.

John

-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC  | We can no more blame our loss of freedom on congress
Radiation Systems, Inc. | than we can prostitution on pimps.  Both simply
Atlanta, Ga             | provide broker services for their customers.
{emory,uunet}!rsiatl!jgd|  - Dr. W Williams |                **I am the NRA**