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From: weber_w@apollo.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apollo
Subject: Re: TAPES
Message-ID: <35836123.1f6@apollo.uucp>
Date: Tue, 16-Jun-87 20:00:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: apollo.35836123.1f6
Posted: Tue Jun 16 20:00:00 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Jun-87 03:08:41 EDT
References: <8706151808.AA02705@yale-eli.arpa>
Reply-To: weber_w@apollo.UUCP (Walt Weber)
Distribution: world
Organization: Apollo Computer, Chelmsford, MA
Lines: 28

In article <8706151808.AA02705@yale-eli.arpa> obrooks@NSWC-WO.ARPA wrote
about getting tape read errors when attempting to transfer a tar cartridge
from a SUN 3 to an APOLLO DN580.  He writes:
>
>My question is what is Quick 24 or 11? And which is the standard?
>I even tried to 'dd' it off and couldn't. Please HELP! Send respones to
>obrooks@nswc-wo.arpa.

I am responding here and not privately, since this comes up frequently.
Here is the scoop on QIC-11 and QIC-24 (QIC -> Quarter-Inch-Cartridge):

Unlike 1/2" tapes, there are TWO standards for the layout of data on the tape: QIC-11
and QIC-24.  APOLLO workstations read and write using the QIC-24 format.
Suns which have the Emulex or Archive tape controllers can write tapes in
QIC-24 (/dev/rst8) or in QIC-11 (/dev/rst0).  The older Suns are limited to
QIC-11 using /dev/rar0.  Until the industry settles on a single standard for
the format, the prudent course is to assume that cartridge tapes are NOT suitable
for data interchange between different system vendors, and should only be used for
backup and archive within a single system vendor product line.

Howzzat?? ("Just the facts, please....")

...walt...

-- 
Walt Weber               PHONE: (617) 256-6600 x7004
Apollo Computer          GENIE: W.WEBER
Chelmsford, People's Republic of Massachusetts