[ILUG] dumping multiple volumes to tape?

[gerodonoghue at sigma-sl.ie]

> Hi,
> 
> I'm using dump/restore with a 40GB DLT tape. I want to backup three
> volumes of 3GB,  11GB, and 5 GB. However dump defaults to assuming a tape
> length of 2300 feet, and 1600 BPI (bytes/inch) ==> 27600 inches x 1600
> BPI == 43 MB. So anything larger than 43 MB and it asks you to put in a
> new tape! Okay, so you fool it by giving it the -s and -d options to
> specify a density and tape length which would allow your volume to fit on
> the tape, and away it goes. However it takes much longer than it should to
> write the data to the tape. ie it just keeps running the tape until it
> gets the EOT (end of tape) at the end, by which time it's too late to
> dump the other two volumes on the tape!?! How can I get it to stop when
> it's dumped the volume, so I can dump the next one?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
Paul

try using the a option instead of the -s and -d
dump -0uaf /dev/nst0 /

Also solaris has better options when using ufsdump & ufsrestore 
You can write to a non rewinding or a hardware compressed device device
if you are using tapes for dumping  multiple volumes. If you have such a
beast it could be better to use it for backing up.

It would be nice to have this available in linux or maybe it is i am not
sure.

Regards Ger