Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!convex!killer!vector!rpp386!jfh
From: jfh@rpp386.UUCP (John F. Haugh II)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Re: Reel-to-Reel Mounting
Keywords: reel mount
Message-ID: <5006@rpp386.UUCP>
Date: 5 Aug 88 13:45:40 GMT
References: <299@hrc.UUCP> <12781@mimsy.UUCP>
Reply-To: jfh@rpp386.UUCP (The Beach Bum)
Organization: Big "D" Home for Wayward Hackers
Lines: 28

In article <12781@mimsy.UUCP> chris@mimsy.UUCP (Chris Torek) writes:
>In article <299@hrc.UUCP> dan@hrc.UUCP (Dan Troxel VP) writes:
>>I use a CT S-640 with a Kennedy 9400 for backup.
>>My question is, how do I format the tape for mounting????
>
>9-track tapes are `formatted' by being written; indeed, tape controllers
>are often called `formatters'.

on the off chance he wants to know the data layout (other meaning of
format), the tape has to have a superblock and inode list the same way
a disk or ram based file system does.  there are two ways to achieve this:

create a file system on disk or in a ramdisk, then copy the entire
device onto tape.  this can be a real waste of space on the tape ;-(

an alternate method is to use the file system prototype feature of
mkfs to put the files on the device.  make a prototype and output it
onto the tape.

you have to use the block structured device rather than the raw file
system.  also, you can't mount the file system read/write since you
will trash the tape on the first file access when the tape's ilist is
updated.
-- 
John F. Haugh II                 +--------- Cute Chocolate Quote ---------
HASA, "S" Division               | "USENET should not be confused with
UUCP:   killer!rpp386!jfh        |  something that matters, like CHOCOLATE"
DOMAIN: jfh@rpp386.uucp          |         -- apologizes to Dennis O'Connor