The default version of Ftape included in the 2.0.xx kernel sources is
+2.08 or 2.09 and is very out of date. Please update the Ftape drivers
+to the latest from the
+Ftape Home Page.
+
You need to add -D__SMP__ to the KERNEL_OPT variable in the
+file MCONFIG. In newer ftape versions you only need to
+uncomment a certain line in the MCONFIG file.
+
Seriously, reliable software do not crash. Especially kernels do not
-or rather should not crash. If the kernel crashes upon you
-when you are running ftape, and you can show that it is
-ftape that is messing things up, regard it as a Bug That Should
-Be Fixed. Mail the details to the maintainer
-(<heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>) and to the tape list.
+
Ignore the depmod error messages. The problem is that the Ftape modules
+have to be compiled without the version checksum feature (i.e.
+CONFIG_MODVERSIONS) with 2.0.* kernels. This causes no problem, even
+when the modules are used with a kernel that has support for this feature;
+only that depmod wrongly complains about undefined symbols. Ignore the
+complaints of depmod and try to insert the modules despite of these
+complaints:
+
The insmod program can check the kernel version against the
+version that Ftape was compiled for in two ways: It can directly
+compare the kernel version number recorded in the Ftape module against
+the version of the running kernel, or, if both the kernel and
+Ftape is compiled with versioned symbols, compare the version of
+the used kernel symbols.
+
If you have upgraded your version of GCC to v2.7.0 or later, you must
+recompile the modules utilities with gcc v2.7.x.
+
Newer versions of insmod allows you to "force" insertion of
+a module into the kernel, even though the version string is incorrect.
+
First, make sure you can reproduce the problem. Spurious errors are a
-pain in the ass, since they are just about impossible to hunt down
-:-/ This is a quick check list:
+
Did you remember to apply the ksyms.c patch to the kernel? If
+not, read the README.linux-1.2 file in the source distribution.
+
The modversions.h file is created when the kernel is compiled
+with the configuration item CONFIG_MODVERSIONS turned on. With
+this option enabled, the file will be created during the make dep
+step.
+
One more handy tip is that a make mrproper will remove
+/usr/include/linux/modversions.h. You will need to reconfig
+the kernel and do a make dep to get the file back.
+
When you say `yes' to CONFIG_MODVERSIONS during `make config',
+all the symbols exported by the kernel, i.e: the symbols that the
+loadable modules can "see", are augmented to include a checksum
+across the types of the call/return parameters. This allows
+insmod to detect whether the definition of a variable or function
+in the kernel has changed since the time when Ftape was compiled.
+
This ensures a high degree of safety, such that you do not crash the
+kernel because you used an outdated module with your kernel.
+
If you enable CONFIG_MODVERSIONS in the kernel, make sure you have
+
+
+uncommented in the MODULE_OPT line in the Ftape Makefile. Conversely,
+if you do not have CONFIG_MODVERSIONS enabled, make sure you have it
+commented out.
+
There are (at least) two possible sources of the problem:
-
Kernel version, and patches applied
-
ftape version
-
tape drive model / manufacturer
-
Expansion bus type (EISA, ISA, PCI, or VL-bus)
-
What you did to expose the problem
-
What went wrong on your system.
-
Do not delete the kernel and the ftape.o file. I might want
-you run try some patches out or run a different test on your system.
-
+
All Ftape-3.* versions prior to 3.04 install the modules into
+
+
+/lib/modules/misc
+instead of
+/lib/modules/uname -r/misc
+
+
+
+As modprobe searches in /lib/modules/misc/ last there might be
+an old ftape.o module floating around in /lib/modules/
+uname -r/misc which modprobe finds first (uname -r
+stands for the kernel version).
+Remove the old ftape.o module.
+
Your kernel has support for Ftape compiled in. Reconfigure
+your kernel without support for Ftape (CONFIG_FTAPE) and
+recompile and install it.
You are probably trying to use the same IRQ and DMA settings as your on-board
+FDC. This does not work in versions of Ftape prior to 3.03b. Please
+update the Ftape Drivers to the latest from the
+Ftape Home Page.
+
Sadly to say there are some SVGA cards and Ethernet cards that do not
+decode their addresses correct. This typically happens when the
+Ftape buffers are in the range 0x1a0000 to 0x1c0000.
+Somehow, the DMA write cycles get clobbered and every other byte
+written gets a bad value (0xff). These problems are reported to
+happen with both SVGA and Ethernet cards. We know of at least one
+(bad?) ATI 16bit VGA card that caused this.
+
The easiest solution is to put the card in an 8bit slot (it is often
+not enough to reconfigure the card to 8bit transfers). Moving the
+Ftape buffer away from the VGA range is only a partial
+solution; All DMA buffers used in Linux can have this problem! Let us
+make this one clear: This has nothing to do with the Ftape
+software.
+
You should only see this is you are trying to insmod the
+ftape.o module. Try running swapout first. It is provided
+with the standalone Ftape source. It doesn't appear in the
+Ftape source that's provided with the kernel.
+
Here's an example of how you can set your rc.local file to use it.
+
+
+
+# Install the Floppy Tape Driver
+if [ -f /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o ]; then
+ echo Installing ftape for Linux `uname -r`
+ swapout
+ insmod /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o
+fi
+
+
+
Please note that you won't have this type of problem if you compile
+the Ftape driver into the kernel.
+
The compile-time options NO_TRACE and NO_TRACE_AT_ALL in Ftape
+control the amount of system logging. Add whichever is appropriate to the
+FTAPE_OPT line in the Makefile and recompile.
+
There are three ways you can do this (in order of personal
+preference).
+
While we're at it, here are the meanings of the various trace levels.
+
+
+
0 Bugs
+
1 + Errors
+
2 + Warnings
+
3 + Information
+
4 + More information
+
5 + Program flow
+
6 + FDC/DMA info
+
7 + Data flow
+
8 + Everything else
-
Increase the tracing level to 4 or 5 and run the command that caused
-problems again (don't do it if your fear that you loose data or damage
-your hardware, there is absolutely no warranty for neither data loss
-nor hardware damage caused by ftape, remember this). Increasing
-the trace level beyond 5 probably doesn't make any sense as it affects
-the timing of the driver in a way that it doesn't work well any
-more. Get the tracing data from the kernel log or /proc/kmsg,
-depending on where you harvest your error messages. Try to look at
-what ftape spews out at you. It may look in-comprehensible to
-you at first, but you can get valuable information from the logfile.
-Most messages have a function name prepended, to make it easier to
-locate the problem. Look through the source, don't just cry
-``WOLF!'', without giving it a try. If your version of the kernel (or
-ftape for that matter), is ``old'', when compared to the newest
-version of the kernel, try to get a newer (or even the newest) kernel
-and see if the problem goes away under the new kernel. When you post
-your problem report, include the information about ftape version,
-kernel version, expansion bus type (ISA, VL-bus, PCI or EISA), bus
-speed, floppy controller, and tape drive. State exactly what you did,
-and what happened on your system. Some people have experienced that
-ftape would not run in a PCI based box, but ran flawlessly in a
-normal ISA based 386DX machine (see section
-Getting PCI motherboards to work with <tt/ftape/ on PCI
-machines above)
-
Also, please think of the poor souls who actually pay the
-their Internet access (like me): avoid posting a (huge) log from the
-ftape run, without reason. Instead, you could describe the
-problem, and offer to send the log to the interested parties.
-
Send your bug report to <linux-tape@vger.rutgers.edu>. You
-might also want to mail the bug to
-<heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>.
+
+
Using insmod to change trace-level
+
+If you are using the modules mechanism to load the Ftape
+driver, you can specify the tracing level as an option to the insmod
+command.
+
+
+ /sbin/insmod ftape.o tracing=<tracing-level>
+
+
+
+
Using mt to change trace-level
+
+The Ftape driver has a hack in it that allows the fsr option
+in mt to be used to set the tracing level. zftape does not
+have this hack.
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/ftape fsr <tracing-level>
+
+
+
+The use of the fsr command in mt is a hack,
+and will probably disappear or change with time.
+
+
Recompiling to change trace-level
+
+The file tracing.c contains a line int tracing = 3;.
+Change the 3 to whatever is appropriate and recompile.
+
Check the
+Ftape Home Page.
+for an even newer version. Then check the FAQ contained in the that package
+if your problem is listed there. Next, try to check if the manual that comes
+with the Ftape distribution mentions your problem.
+
There is no need to read the entire manual, simply check the "Concept Index"
+if it contains a keyword that might be related to your problem, then jump
+to the proper location in the manual.
+
If you are still convinced you've found a bug, then post a general question
+describing the problem to the
+Linux-Tape Mailing List
+, but do not attach your entire Ftape error-log. If we've seen the
+problem before, we'll let you know where the resolution effort stands. If
+we haven't, the
+Ftape maintainer
+will most likely request that you send him the entire Ftape error-log
+(snipped from your system messages file).
+
The following is a list of notable folks that have contributed to
-ftape's HOWTO document. This is a recent addition added by someone
-coming in midstream. My sincerest apologies if I've inadvertently left
-someone important off the list. You can view anoterh attempt to collect
-such kind of information at
-Ftape's Hall of Fame
Johan De Wit <jo@correct.nl>: The maintainer of the Ftape
-FAQ.
-
Kevin Johnson <kjj@pobox.com>: The previous maintainer of
-the Ftape-HOWTO
-
Kai Harrekilde-Petersen <khp@dolphinics.no>: The
-previous maintainer of ftape and the HOWTO.
-
Andrew Martin <martin@biochemistry.ucl.ac.uk>: Many
-additions to the HOWTO.
+
You can achieve quite respectable backup and restore speeds with
+Ftape: a Colorado DJ-20 and an Adaptec 1542CF controller, has
+been measured at 4.25Mbyte/min sustained data transfer rate (no
+compression) across a 70Mbyte tar archive, while comparing the archive
+on the tape with data on an IDE disk. The speed of Ftape is
+mostly dependent on the data transfer rate of your FDC: The AHA1542CF
+has a ``post-1991 82077'' FDC, and it will push 1Mbit/sec at the tape
+drive. If you have an FDC which can only deliver 500Kbit/sec data
+rates, you will see half the transfer rate (well, roughly).
+
There has been a few reports of "shoeshining". This is when the tape just
+seems to run back and forth endlessly. This has been seen on a Jumbo
+250 (74407.3051@compuserve.com) and on an Iomega 250 Ditto Insider
+(tom@opus.cais.com). In the latter case it has been narrowed own to
+using an ELF Linux and running off a SCSI hard disk (connected to an
+Adaptec 1542cf). Please contact me if you have an update to this
+problem.
+
<from the Ftape-Howto>
+
Probably not. If you are backing up a large number of < 2K files, you're
+just going to have to live with it. In this event, the repositions are caused
+by file system access overhead. If you are backing up a normal system's files,
+this may be caused by slop or media stretching in the tape cartridge. By
+simply retensioning the tape, you should see this go away. Try
+
+
+ftmt -f /dev/zqft0 reten
+
+
+
+to retension the tape. If retensioning doesn't solve this, and it's only
+happening on certain tapes, it might be wise to replace the tapes in question.
+
<answer from Tim Jones>
+
If you use afio as your backup tool you can set it to write a very large
+number of buffers in one hit by using the -c flag. Make it large enough so
+that you supply enough data for most of a single end-to-end pass over the tape.
+For my system, the following streams quite nicely - stopping relatively few
+times per tape pass on an unloaded system:
+
+
+In my case I'm writing 800 x 10240 bytes per tape write, i.e. about 8MB.
+haven't experimented that much with these settings - so someone might like
+to establish more optimal ones.
+
Presumably other backup utilities could be modified to use a similar technique.
+
<answer by Michael Hamilton>
+
GNU tar doesn't use buffering in this way. The commercial backup program
+"bru" is able to multi-buffer using shared memory; this works only when
+writing compressed archive with bru (regardless whether you use Ftape's
+builtin compression)
+
Another way to overcome the problem might be to use more dma buffers in the
+Ftape kernel driver like:
+
+
+mt -f /dev/qft0 setdrvbuffer $((6*32786))
+
+
+
+$((6*32786)) should be expanded by your shell when using a Bourne
+compatible one. This has a negative impact on the system's memory pool:
+Ftape's dma buffers cannot be used by any other part of the kernel nor
+by any other application. And kernel memory cannot be swapped out. If you
+decide to use this kind of multi-buffering then you should unload the driver
+as soon as it isn't needed any longer.
+
Not if you are using the latest version of the Ftape drivers from the
+Ftape Home Page.
+
To format a QIC-80, TR-1, TR-3, QICWide 3010 or 3020 tape, get the
+latest version of ftape and the latest version of the
+ftape-tools package (from the same location) and read the
+documentation of the ftformat utility which is included in the
+ftape-tools package.
+
+
Comment
+Do not try to format Ditto 2GB tapes.
+
Comment
+Do not try to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes.
+
It isn't possible to format Ditto 2GB tapes with Ditto 2GB
+tape drive, and it isn't possible at all to re-format Ditto 2GB
+tapes in a way that they still can be used by a Ditto 2GB tape
+drive.
+
This is a hardware limitation of the Ditto 2GB tape drive. It
+can't be helped at the software level, i.e. it isn't ftape's
+fault.
+
If you look at the difference, you will notice that Ftape
+always detects 2784 sectors more than DOS.
+
The number that Ftape reports is correct (of course :-). Each
+correctly formatted QIC-3020 tape has 2784 sectors at fixed positions
+that are marked in the bad sector map. To quote from the specs:
+
+
+Tracks 5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25 and 27 within 4 segments of
+either EOT or BOT are prone to increased error rates due to hole
+imprints. Therefore, these regions shall be mapped as bad at format
+time and entered in the bad sector map by indicating that all sectors
+within the identified segments are bad.
+
So Ftape choose to report the real number of sectors that cannot be
+used on the tape, while DOS gives a more optimistic number giving a
+better indication of tape quality. (Ftape's behavior might change in
+the future to detect correct formatting and display the separate
+numbers. It has rather low priority though).
+
QIC-3010 are alike QIC-3020 tapes regarding this.
+
Yes. The driver merely updates an internal counter when those
+commands are issues. The tape should move to the proper location on
+the next read or write access to the tape drive.
+
zftape requires the data to be written in multiples of a fixed minimal
+block size. This is a very usual behavior for a tape device. There are three
+ways to get rid of those errors:
+
+
set Ftape's block size to the block size used by the backup program. The example below works for "afio":
+
+
+mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 5120
+
+
+
+
If you don't want to use Ftape's built in compression you can also use
+
+
+mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 0
+
+
+
+to switch Ftape to variable block size mode and be able to write the
+data in arbitrary portions to the tape (BUT: the builtin compression doesn't
+work with this setting). When you intend to use "KBackup" then this is the
+only way to make it work together with Ftape (it _may_ work, don't know
+if it does)
+
tell your backup program about Ftape's default block size of 10k (which
+is also the default of GNU tar). For "afio" you can use the following command
+line switch:
+
+
+afio -b 10k ...
+
+
+
+
+
You may want to read the section "Tape blocks" of the manual (use its
+"Concept index" to directly jump to that section)
+
When using GNU tar's builtin compression with GNU tar versions prior to
+tar-1.12 one needs to run tar with the --block-compress switch to
+re-block the output to the tape. Otherwise tar will compress the data
+it reads, and write it in arbitrary portions to the tape.
+
WARNING:
+One shouldn't use tar's builtin compression with large backups as it makes the
+entire data stream one huge compressed block. If such archives are corrupted
+right at the beginning it will be very difficult to recover.
+
When you get next messages, this could be interesting for you !
+
+
+
fdc-io.c (ft_handle_perpend) - Your FDC does not support QIC-3020.
+
Cannot write to /dev/qft0: I/O error
+
+
The explanations:
+
"FDC" menas "Floppy Disk Controller". The
+problem is that your floppy disk controller must be able to support
+something that is called "perpendicular mode" to be able to read and
+write QIC-3020/QIC-3010 cartridges (i.e. TR-3 cartridges). To my
+knowledge all FDCs that are capable of at least 1Mbit/sec data
+transfer rate also support "perpendicular mode" ("perpendicular"
+refers to the direction of magnetization of the ferro-magnetic
+particles on the tape).
+
This means that you need to purchase another FDC. Either look around
+some computer stores and ask for an IO controller cards that is able
+to support 2.88 Mb floppies (which imlies 1Mbit data transfer rate and
+perpendicular mode).
+
Or get one of the so called "high speed" controllers that even support
+2Mbit/sec data transfer rate. Those controllers are based on an Intel
+82078 FDC. Iomega sells such a card under the name "Ditto Dash". I
+think Exabyte sells their 2Mbit controllers separately, too, whereas
+Seagate ships its TR-3 drives (i.e. the TST-3200) together with such a
+controller.
+
I assume that the following is the problem:
+The Ftape module is loaded OK into the kernel:
+
+
+/usr/src/ftape-3.03b-970603# lsmod
+ Module Pages Used by
+ ftape 22 0
+
+
+
+but then this happens:
+
+
+$ ftmt -f /dev/qft0 status
+ftmt: /dev/qft0: No such device
+
+
+
Solution
+You need to load the zftape.o module as well. With Ftape-3.* the
+ftape.o module doesn't implement the VFS interface. This is done by
+zftape.o.
+
The "device busy" messages can only occur while the Ftape devices are
+still held open by some program. As soon as the close() system call has
+completed the busy flag is cleared. May be "bru" or some other program has
+still forked off a child that dies delayed?
+
+
+You can skip the "--block-compress" if using the most recent version
+of GNU tar.
+
However, this is not a bug of Ftape. It seems that the parent tar
+process exits before its child has closed the tape device. I know,
+however, from hacking the tar code ages ago, that tar properly waits
+for its parent to die.
+
However, the busy message simply means that the "busy" variable is
+still held at 1 (zftape/zftape-init.c). And this simply means that
+there still is a process hanging around that holds the tape device
+open.
+
I think I have it (only for the case of tar 'cause I have the source
+code.
+
If on uses tar with compression, then it forks a child which will
+become the compressor bei execing "gzip" or whatever. Before the call
+to execlp() the child will fork off a grand child of its parent
+tar. That grandchild will do the actual tape I/O.
+
+
+tar - fork() - write to child tar
+ |
+ child tar - fork() - gzip (will pipe to grand child tar)
+ |
+ grand child tar - open archive.
+
+
+
Now, parent tar only waits for its child to die. gzip surely doesn't
+wait for the grand child as the gzip is a result of an execlp().
+
What I don't know is whether the grand child should be implicitly
+waited for by the parent tar, or if the wait() function also waits for
+grand childs.
+
But this seems to be the problem: the parent tar already has exited
+while its grandchild still is busy closing the archive. One hardly
+will notice this problem if the close() happens fast (i.e. regular
+files, block devices, also other tape devices?), but it isn't a bug in
+Ftape, but either in the backup programs or in the kernel or maybe
+libc exit code.
+
Don't know if the considerations above also apply to bru. If there is
+no grandchild and the parent process properly waits for its childs
+then there shouldn't be a problem.
+
These are really tar questions: Please read the man page and
+the info page. If you have not got it either, try
+
+
+tar --help 2>&1 | less
+
+
+
If your version of tar is v1.11.1 or earlier, consider
+upgrading to v1.11.8 - This version can call GNU zip directly
+(i.e.: it supports the -z option) and has an elaborate help
+included. Also, it compiles right out of the box on Linux.
+
When using compression, and in all general, it can be a benefit to
+specify to tar, that it should block the output into chunks.
+Since Ftape cuts things into 29Kbyte blocks, saying `-b58'
+should be optimum.
+
"Why 29Kbyte?", I hear you cry. Well, the QIC-80 standard specifies
+that all data should be protected by an Error Correcting Code (ECC)
+code. The code specified in the QIC-80 standard is known as a
+Reed-Solomon (R-S) code. The R-S code takes 29 data bytes and
+generates 3 parity bytes. To increase the performance of the ECC
+code, the parity bytes are generated across 29 1Kbyte sectors. Thus,
+Ftape takes 29Kbytes of data, adds 3Kbytes of ECC parity, and
+writes 32Kbytes to the tape at a time. For this reason, Ftape will
+always read and write 32K byte blocks to be able to detect (and
+correct) data errors.
+
If you are curious, and wish to know more, look in the ecc.c and
+ecc.h files, for an explanation of the code and a reference to a
+textbook on Reed-Solomon codes.
+
All of these tools have been developed by the GNU project, and the
+source (and man page) can be fetched from just-about any ftp site in
+the world (including ftp.funet.fi, tsx-11.mit.edu, and
+sunsite.unc.edu). In any case they can be fetched from the
+official GNU home site: prep.ai.mit.edu [18.71.0.38]:/pub/gnu. The latest versions (as of September 12
+1996) are:
+
It is not bad as such to compress data twice (which would be the case
+when using tapers compression together with zftape's compression) but
+it doesn't make any sense. You won't gain much further compression,
+but only waste CPU cycles.
+
Tapers compression should be quite safe, as taper compresses single
+files; in contrast to tar -czf ... which makes the entire data
+stream a large compressed block of data, which is really a bad thing
+with serious backups as a single bad byte at the beginning of the
+archive can make the entire archive unusable, well, it will be at
+least quite difficult to recover.
+
gzip -9 is better (i.e. one gains higher compression). zftape's
+compression is comparable with the Un*x compress program, but should
+be faster, and is faster than gzip.
+
You get this complaint if you haven't erased your freshly
+formatted tape. This is because Ftape expect a "magic header"
+on the tape, to be able that it is allowed to interpret the header
+segment in its own way (eg: file marks). To remove the problem, say
+
Bas Laarhoven <bas@vimec.nl>: The original author of
-ftape.
+
No. The DOS software conforms to the QIC-80 specs about the layout of
+the DOS filesystem, and it should(?) be a small problem to write a
+program that can read/write the DOS format. In fact, I'd bet that
+creating a nice user interface would be a bigger problem.
+
(EOM is "End Of recorded Media", the position right after all data
+already recorded to the tape)
+
One cannot use tape "files" like files on an ordinary file system.
+
In principle, a tape doesn't allow anything but appending new data at
+EOM. However, if one positiones just in the middle of the already
+recorded data AND starts writing, then the driver first deletes all
+following files (thus moving the EOM to the actual position) and then
+starts writing.
+
Thus, the new EOM after finishing the write process, is then after the
+newly recorded data.
+
One of the consequences of the above is, of course, that writing to
+the tape in the middle of the already recorded area, is destructive in
+the sense, that it not only overwrites the "file" the tape is
+positioned at, but also deletes all following files.
+
<from the Ftape-Howto>
+<Answer from Claus Heine>
+
It probably didn't work before because you didn't use a
+
+
+mt -f /dev/rft0 erase
+
+
+
+before writing data to the cartridge. THIS ISN'T necessary any more.
+
But, hey, what does mt fsf? Tape drives don't store files in the
+sense that you can use
+
+cp somefile /dev/my_what_ever_tape
+
+
+or be able to mount the tape drive like you could mount a harddisk.
+You can't do nothing with a tape drive but write data to it in a sequential
+manner.
+
As this is quite inconvenient, somebody invented something which is
+known under the name file mark or eof mark (eof == End Of
+File). Those marks don't separate files that have been backed up to
+the tape device, but only separate blocks of data (whatever data that
+might be).
+
Normally, the kernel tape device drivers take care of writing file
+marks when the tape device is closed, i.e.
+
+
+would result in a backup of all files under /bin and /etc. When
+the first tar finishes, the kernel driver will take care of writing
+a file mark to the tape at the the current tape position, and when the
+second tar process has finished, another file mark is written to the
+tape cartridge at that position.
+
Now, the sense of those file marks is, that it is possible to skip
+between different archives on the tape more quickly than would be
+possible with reading the data back.
+
The commands to do that are:
+
+
mt fsf
fast skip to the next file mark towards EOT (End Of Tape)
+
mt bsf
fast skip to the next file marks towards BOT (Begin Of Tape)
+
+
+Thus, to extract the second archive in the example above, one doesn't
+need to read the first archive back, but can proceed as follows:
+
When Ftape was young there were two versions of the floppy tape
+driver, one of them was called zftape because of its built-in
+user-transparent on-the-fly compression. Whether such a thing is a
+feature or a bug ('cause this needn't be done in kernel space) is
+another question. However, the ioctl interface and file mark handling
+provided by zftape was much better and had less bugs. And zftape
+allows to use floppy tape cartridges with different OS. Well, you
+can't exchange data, but zftape won't overwrite volumes created by
+your Windoze program, and vice versa.
+
Nowadays, Ftape is name of the entire floppy tape driver package AND
+ftape.o is the file-name of the kernel module that implements the
+low-level hardware support. zftape has ceased to exist as a separate
+package, but the new Ftape versions (since ftape-3.00) contain a
+zftape.o module that needs to be loaded on top of ftape.o
+(i.e. you need to load BOTH modules to be able to access your floppy
+tape drive) and implements the file system interface and the advanced
+(?) features of the previous verions zftape.
+
Well, the rewinding tape devices rewind the tape to BOT (Begin Of
+Tape) when the device is closed, i.e.
+
+
+tar -cvf /dev/qft0 /bin
+
+
+
+will rewind the tape cartridge when the tar job has finished. In contrast,
+
+
+tar -cvf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+
+
+
+will NOT rewind the tape cartridge and leave the tape R/W head at its
+current position.
+
Rewinding devices should be used when performing a single backup,
+non-rewinding devices can be useful when doing multiple backups as one
+doesn't need to space to EOM (End Of recorded Media) before appending
+another archive.
+
Non-rewinding devices MUST be used when sending any of the tape motion
+command to the tape drive, such as
+
+
+mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+
+
+
+, because when the mt process finishes then the tape device is closed
+which would result in rewinding the cartridge with the rewinding devices.
+
Well, it depends. If the tape is still positioned inside the volume
+just written, "mt bsf 1" (or equivalently "mt bsf") will backspace
+just to the beginning of that volume (this is how "tar --verify"
+works). If the tape is already positioned AFTER the filemark that
+marks the end of the last written volume, then you need to issue
+"mt bsf 2"
+
The logic behind this is as follows:
+"MTBSF count" backspaces over count file marks, stops, and then
+positions on the EOT side of the last skipped file mark. This means,
+an "mt bsf 2" will position right at the beginning of the previous
+volume.
+
You are right: auto-rewind means, the tape is rewound when the tape
+device is closed, non-rewinding means, the tape isn't automatically
+rewound when the tape device is closed (but you can, of course, use
+the tape motion commands BSF/FSF etc. to position the tape head at
+every position you like).
+
A record is the minimal amount of bytes that will be accepted by the
+tape in one read/write operation (except in "variable block size mode"
+where it just should be the amount of data actually written in a
+single write operation??).
+
For zftape every read and write access has to be a multiple of a fixed
+block size (fixed, but tunable with MTSETBLK). This block size is a
+"tape record" (as mentioned in the GNU mt man page and defaults to
+10kb for zftape.
+
A "file" (in the sense of the mt man page) is a, well, misleading
+terminus. What is meant is an area of the tape between two file
+marks. This is not a file like a file on the file system, in the sense
+that it could have a name, file access modes, could be moved or copied
+with cp, mv, rm etc.
+
Instead, It simply is the area of the tape that was recorded in one
+backup session, its end is marked by a tape file mark, and its
+beginning is delimited by either BOT or the file mark of the previous
+tape "file". That tape "files" are the things that can be skipped with
+the MTBSF/FSF commands.
+
Is there a good way to erase, as in remove the data or at least the volumes
+from a tape, without reformating?
+
Can you overwrite the last volume on a tape with making a mess out of it?
+
Can you overwrite the last several volumes without making a mess?
+
Can you delete the last volume?
+
+
If you want to "erase" an entire cartridge, then simply do:
+
+
+
+mt -f /dev/qft0 erase
+
+
+
This will erase the volume table (i.e. the "file marks").
+
Pre-ftape-3.x releases of zftape and ftape used to allow overwriting
+of already existing volumes on a cartridge. I have removed this
+feature as it was reported that it already has caused data-loss with
+some backup programs.
+
If you indeed need to remove some volumes on the tape then you should
+use the
+
+
+
+vtblc
+
+
+
program that comes with the ftape-tools package which can be
+down-loaded from the same locations as the ftape kernel driver
+package. Please refer to the documentation which is contained in the
+ftape-tools package for more information.
+
If you simply want to reuse old tapes, then it suffices to do
+
+
+
+mt rewind
+
+
+
If the tape is at BOT (Begin Of Tape) then every write access to the
+tape will silently erase all file marks and overwrite the data already
+existing on the tape.
+
Here is as little perl/bash script that lists the contents of a cartridge
+using the zftape specific "volinfo" ioctl. Hope this shows how to
+handle this kind of stuff.
+
What it basically does is the following:
+
+
+
Rewind the cartridge
+
Issue the volinfo command:
+
+
+ claus@thales:~$ mt volinfo
+ file number = 1
+ block size = 10240
+ physical space used = 522.0 kilobytes
+ real size of volume = 520.0 kilobytes
+
+
+
+Parse the ouput and place the values in appropriate variables
+
Skip to the next volume with "mt fsf"
+
Exit if this gives an error (EOD), otherwise "goto 2)"
+
+
The Perl Script
+
+
+
+
+#!/usr/bin/perl
+#
+# Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+# any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+# the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+#
+# This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+# package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+#
+
+$version = <<EOT;
+listtape-1.0 -- a perl script to list the contents of a floppy tape cartridge
+under Linux using the zftape driver
+
+RCS \$Revision: 1.14 $
+RCS \$Date: 2000/07/12 06:10:36 $
+EOT
+
+$tapedev = "/dev/tape";
+$usage = <<EOT;
+Usage: listtape [options ...]
+
+Mandatory or optional arguments to long options are mandatory or optional
+for short options too.
+
+-f, --file=FILE Tape device to use. Default is "/dev/tape".
+-h, --help Print this help.
+-? Same as '-h'.
+--usage Same as '-h'.
+-V, --version Print version information.
+
+Author: Claus-Justus Heine <heine\@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>
+EOT
+
+while ($ARGV[0] =~ /^-/) {
+$_ = shift;
+if (/--file/) {$_ = shift; $tapedev = $_; next;}
+if (/-f/) {$_ = shift; $tapedev = $_; next;}
+if (/--help/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/-h/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/--usage/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/-\?/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/--version/) { print $version; exit 0; }
+if (/-V/) { print $version; exit 0; }
+die $usage;
+}
+
+&open_tape($tapedev, "status");
+while(<FTMT>)
+{
+$online = 1 if (/.*online.*/);
+}
+
+if (! $online) { die "No cartridge present.\n"; }
+
+&mtop($tapedev, "rewind");
+
+printf "%11s%12s%20s%20s\n",
+"file number", "block size", "volume size", "tape space";
+
+while (1)
+{
+&open_tape($tapedev, "volinfo");
+while (<FTMT>) {
+if (/^file number\s*=\s*([0-9]*)$/) { $filenumber = $1; }
+if (/^block size\s*=\s*([0-9]*)$/) { $blocksize = $1; }
+if (/^physical space used\s*=\s*([[0-9]*.*)/) { $rawsize = $1; }
+if (/^real size of volume\s*=\s*([[0-9]*.*)/) { $size = $1; }
+}
+close(FTMT);
+if (&mtop($tapedev, "fsf 1") != 0) {
+&mtop($tapedev,"rewind");
+print "\nRemaining space: $rawsize\n";
+print "Tape block size: $blocksize\n";
+exit 0;
+}
+printf "%6d %5d %20s%20s\n",
+ $filenumber, $blocksize, $size, $rawsize;
+}
+
+sub mtop
+{
+local ($tape, $operation) = @_;
+local ($exitval);
+system "ftmt -f $tape $operation > /dev/null 2>&1";
+}
+
+sub open_tape
+{
+local ($tape, $operation) = @_;
+local ($command);
+
+$command = "ftmt -f " . $tape . " " . $operation . " |";
+open(FTMT, $command) || die "Couldn't open $command -- $!\n";
+}
+
+
+
+
+
The Bash Script
+
+
+
+
+#! /bin/bash
+#
+# Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+# any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+# the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+#
+# This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+# package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+#
+
+#
+# insert better option parsing here
+#
+TAPEDEV=${1-/dev/tape}
+
+if ! echo $TAPEDEV | grep "/dev/n"
+then
+TAPEDEV=/dev/n$(basename $TAPEDEV)
+fi
+
+if ! [ -c $TAPEDEV ]
+then
+echo $TAPEDEV is not a character device! 1>&2
+exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV rewind
+then
+echo Could not rewind $TAPEDEV - no cartridge present? 1>&2
+exit 1
+fi
+
+echo -e "\nContents of $TAPEDEV:\n"
+
+printf "%11s%12s%20s%20s\n" "file number" "block size" "volume size" "tape space"
+
+trap "rm -f /tmp/$0.$$" exit
+
+while true
+do
+if ! foo=$(mt -f $TAPEDEV volinfo |cut -f 2 -d =)
+then
+echo $TAPEDEV doesn\'t seem to be a floppy tape device 1>&2
+exit 1
+fi
+#
+# "echo foo | read foo" will not work as the "read foo" is executed in
+# another shell.
+#
+echo $foo > /tmp/$0.$$
+read file blksz used usedunit size sizeunit < /tmp/$0.$$
+if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV fsf 1 > /dev/null 2>&1
+then
+echo -e "\nRemaining space: $used $usedunit"
+echo -e "Tape block size: $blksz"
+if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV rewind
+then
+ echo Rewind of $TAPEDEV failed 1>&2
+ exit 1
+fi
+exit 0
+fi
+printf "%6d %5d %20s%20s\n"\
+$file $blksz "$size $sizeunit" "$used $usedunit"
+done
+
I was the UNIX Product Manager at Archive Corp (Prior to the Conner/Seagate
+mess) and we performed extensive tests of tape media for compatibility
+certification, including retentivity, flaking and length consistancy. Based
+on the results of the tests, we selected the best of these certified
+manufacturers' products to private label as our own media. Here is the
+order in which we selected vendors up through 1995 (when I lost contact
+with the ATI group):
+
+
+
QIC
+
+
3M (now known as Imation)
+
QMaxell/Sony (tie)
+
(BTW - Iomega uses Sony private-labelled media)
+
+
4MM
+
+
Fuji
+
Maxell/Sony (tie - is this a trend?)
+
+
8MM
+
+
Fuji/Exabyte - which we believed to be OEM'd Fuji (tie - so much for trend!)
+
Sony
+
Maxell
+
+
DLT
+
+
Maxell
+
Sony
+
+
+
Otherwise, we had entries in our search from other vendors which were
+generally a private-labelled version of one of the major labels above. The
+exceptions were Verbatim and DIC. Both of these manufacturer's media had
+fall-out rates and length discrepancies that were so high that we would not
+certify them and even warned customers about them indicating that we could
+not offer any sort of guarantee that they would get a good backup using the
+media from these manufacturers.
+
In addition, since coming to EST, I've found that Verbatim media is still
+not worth the money saved in purchasing it. We have 11 of their TR-Extra
+and QIC-Extra (QICXL) tapes that were useless after fewer than 20 passes each.
+
While this is my personal opinion, it is based on over 9 years of experience
+with this very question, I strongly recommend Imation/3M media for QIC/Travan
+user, Fuji media 4MM users, Exabyte/Fuji for 8MM and DEC labelled media
+for DLT users.
+
If you wish to help developing Ftape, or add some utility
+(e.g. a tape formatting program), you will need that appropriate QIC
+standards. The standard(s) to get is: QIC-80, -117, -3010, and 3020.
+QIC-117 describes how commands are sent to the tape drive (including
+timing etc), so you would probably never need it. QIC-80/3010/3020
+describes higher level part, such as tape layout, ECC code, standard
+filesystem. You can get the QIC standards from the following address:
+
+
+
+Quarter Inch Cartridge Drive Standards, Inc.
+311 East Carrillo Street
+Santa Barbara, California 93101
+Phone: (805) 963-3853
+Fax: (805) 962-1541
+
+
+
Note: They are registered as `Freeman Associates, Inc' in the phone
+book.
+
As the Ditto 2GB is a Tr-3 tape (though it can only store 1GB instead of the
+1.6GB you get with a regular Tr-3 drive) you need an FDC (FDC means: Floppy
+Disk Controller) that is capable of at 1Mbit/sec transfer rate. You don't need
+to worry about this if you have an accellerator card (i.e. the Ditto Dash
+controller). Otherwise try to purchase an FDC that claims to be capable of
+driving 2.88Mb floppies because this implies that the FDC is capable of 1Mbit
+transfer rate.
+
Ftape prints the maximum data rate of the FDC to the kernel log
+files like this:
+
Yes. But if you want to use the 5GB (10GB with compression) cartridges
+you don't need it. With ftape there doesn't seem to be any
+difference between the Ditto Max and the Ditto Max Pro.
+
You can subscribe to that list by sending mail to
+
+
+majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu
+
+
+
+with the single line
+
+
+subscribe linux-tape
+
+
+
+in its body. Please store the answer you get from majordomo in a safe place
+because it contains instructions how to UNSUBSCRIBE from the mailing list.
+
+
+where MY@EMAIL.ADDRESS has to be replaced by the the email
+address that you used when subscribing to the list. Note that you must
+have received an email with instructions how to unsubscribe from the
+mailing list at the time you subscribed to it.
+
Seriously, reliable software do not crash. Especially kernels do not
+or rather should not crash. If the kernel crashes upon you
+when you are running ftape, and you can show that it is
+ftape that is messing things up, regard it as a Bug That Should
+Be Fixed. Mail the details to the maintainer
+(<heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>) and to the tape list.
+
First, make sure you can reproduce the problem. Spurious errors are a
+pain in the ass, since they are just about impossible to hunt down
+:-/ This is a quick check list:
+
+
+
Kernel version, and patches applied
+
ftape version
+
tape drive model / manufacturer
+
Expansion bus type (EISA, ISA, PCI, or VL-bus)
+
What you did to expose the problem
+
What went wrong on your system.
+
Do not delete the kernel and the ftape.o file. I might want
+you run try some patches out or run a different test on your system.
+
+
+
Increase the tracing level to 4 or 5 and run the command that caused
+problems again (don't do it if your fear that you loose data or damage
+your hardware, there is absolutely no warranty for neither data loss
+nor hardware damage caused by ftape, remember this). Increasing
+the trace level beyond 5 probably doesn't make any sense as it affects
+the timing of the driver in a way that it doesn't work well any
+more. Get the tracing data from the kernel log or /proc/kmsg,
+depending on where you harvest your error messages. Try to look at
+what ftape spews out at you. It may look in-comprehensible to
+you at first, but you can get valuable information from the logfile.
+Most messages have a function name prepended, to make it easier to
+locate the problem. Look through the source, don't just cry
+``WOLF!'', without giving it a try. If your version of the kernel (or
+ftape for that matter), is ``old'', when compared to the newest
+version of the kernel, try to get a newer (or even the newest) kernel
+and see if the problem goes away under the new kernel. When you post
+your problem report, include the information about ftape version,
+kernel version, expansion bus type (ISA, VL-bus, PCI or EISA), bus
+speed, floppy controller, and tape drive. State exactly what you did,
+and what happened on your system. Some people have experienced that
+ftape would not run in a PCI based box, but ran flawlessly in a
+normal ISA based 386DX machine (see section
+Getting PCI motherboards to work with <tt/ftape/ on PCI
+machines above)
+
Also, please think of the poor souls who actually pay the
+their Internet access (like me): avoid posting a (huge) log from the
+ftape run, without reason. Instead, you could describe the
+problem, and offer to send the log to the interested parties.
+
Send your bug report to <linux-tape@vger.rutgers.edu>. You
+might also want to mail the bug to
+<heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>.
+
The following is a list of notable folks that have contributed to
+ftape's HOWTO document. This is a recent addition added by someone
+coming in midstream. My sincerest apologies if I've inadvertently left
+someone important off the list. You can view anoterh attempt to collect
+such kind of information at
+Ftape's Hall of Fame
Johan De Wit <jo@correct.nl>: The maintainer of the Ftape
+FAQ.
+
Kevin Johnson <kjj@pobox.com>: The previous maintainer of
+the Ftape-HOWTO
+
Kai Harrekilde-Petersen <khp@dolphinics.no>: The
+previous maintainer of ftape and the HOWTO.
+
+
Andrew Martin <martin@biochemistry.ucl.ac.uk>: Many
+additions to the HOWTO.
+
+
Bas Laarhoven <bas@vimec.nl>: The original author of
+ftape.
+
ftape has undergone several changes since then. While the
Linux-2.0.x kernel series still contains ftape-2.08 the v2.1.x
and soon the v2.2.* kernel series come with ftape-3.x (hopefully
-even with ftape-4.03, but this wasn't clear at the time of this
+even with ftape-4.04, but this wasn't clear at the time of this
writing) which differs in some points from the ftape-2.x driver.
Since version 3.00 the ftape driver has been maintained by
me (Claus-Justus Heine); it has been changed and improved in several
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-4.html ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-4.html
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-4.html Fri Jun 30 13:24:23 2000
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-4.html Fri Jul 21 11:36:22 2000
@@ -146,16 +146,16 @@
section
Getting ftape above.
Once you've downloaded the source code (probably
-ftape-4.03-tar.gz), untar it. You can do this by determining what
+ftape-4.04-tar.gz), untar it. You can do this by determining what
directory you want the source code to be located in. I recommend
/usr/src/ or ~/src. When the tar file is extracted,
-it will dump everything into a ftape-4.03 subdirectory, so that
+it will dump everything into a ftape-4.04 subdirectory, so that
you'll end up, in the example I've given, with something like
-/usr/src/ftape-4.03 or ~/src/ftape-4.03.
-
NOTE: you cannot compile ftape-4.03 into your v2.0.x
+/usr/src/ftape-4.04 or ~/src/ftape-4.04.
+
NOTE: you cannot compile ftape-4.04 into your v2.0.x
kernel. Instead, configure your kernel to not compile the
ftape driver and follow the installation instructions in the
-ftape-4.03 distribution and install ftape-4.03 as a module.
+ftape-4.04 distribution and install ftape-4.04 as a module.
Read the README file. The README is required reading. It's
the top of the tree, so to speak. If there are specific files that
the README tells you to read then read them. It will make the
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
Comment
-Maybe ftape-4.03 will be included into the v2.4.x kernel, but
+Maybe ftape-4.04 will be included into the v2.4.x kernel, but
this isn't clear at the time of this writing. This HOWTO will be
revised appropriately when this has become clear. So long you have to
refer to the previous section
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-6.html ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-6.html
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-6.html Fri Jun 30 13:24:23 2000
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-6.html Fri Jul 21 11:36:23 2000
@@ -190,7 +190,8 @@
and later.
Can't format cartridges, writing is only possible with special Ditto
2GB cartridges (hardware limitation, not a lacking feature of
-ftape).
+ftape). Nowadays, only so called 3.7GB cartridges are available
+(roughly 1.9 GB uncomressed). These work as well.
Iomega Ditto Max
Iomega Ditto Max Pro
Supported since ftape-4.00. Thanks to Tim Jones
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-9.html ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-9.html
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-9.html Fri Jun 30 13:24:24 2000
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto-9.html Fri Jul 21 11:36:24 2000
@@ -31,11 +31,57 @@
Ftape-FAQ (Johan De Wit <jo@correct.nl>) a note
+
You might encounter references to the following addresses while reading
+this document:
There is surely quite a lot missing. Please feel free to improve this FAQ.
+The preferred way of doing this is to post to the
+Ftape Mailing List
+in case you have a question that isn't answered here.
+
Also, if you are already reading the list regularly and have the impression
+that some questions occur again and again, feel free to send that question
+and possibly an answer in the format indicated below to the
+maintainer
+of the Ftape FAQ AND to
+Ftape Mailing List.
+
If you make FAQ related postings, then please DON'T FORGET to prepend the
+word "[FAQ]" to the subject of your posting. Please don't add the word
+"FAQ" to the subject if you post something that isn't related to the FAQ.
+
v3.0, June 2000
+<heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>v3.1, July 2000
This HOWTO discusses essential do's and dont's for the ftape
floppy tape driver under Linux. It focusses on the newest version
-which is ftape-4.03 at the time of this writing. This HOWTO is to
+which is ftape-4.04 at the time of this writing. This HOWTO is to
be intended as first step help and source of information.
The ftape driver interfaces to QIC-40, QIC-80, QIC-3010 and
QIC-3020 compatible drives, and to the Iomega Ditto 2GB and Ditto Max
@@ -100,14 +100,85 @@
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info Fri Jun 30 13:24:20 2000
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info Fri Jul 21 11:36:28 2000
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
This is Info file ftape-howto.info, produced by Makeinfo version 1.68
-from the input file /tmp/sgmltmp.ftape-howto16981.info.2.
+from the input file /tmp/sgmltmp.ftape-howto9229.info.2.
\input texinfo
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
@@ -7,1632 +7,112 @@
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Top, Next: Legalese, Up: (dir)
-
-Ftape-HOWTO
-***********
-
- Claus-Justus Heine,
- v3.0, June 2000
-
- This HOWTO discusses essential do's and dont's for the `ftape'
-floppy tape driver under Linux. It focusses on the newest version which
-is `ftape-4.03' at the time of this writing. This HOWTO is to be
-intended as first step help and source of information. The `ftape'
-driver interfaces to QIC-40, QIC-80, QIC-3010 and QIC-3020 compatible
-drives, and to the Iomega Ditto 2GB and Ditto Max drives. The QIC-3010
-and QIC-3020 standards are also known as `Travan' (TR-2 and TR-3).
-These drives connect via the floppy disk controller (`FDC') which may
-be either an internal FDC or inside of certain parallel port floppy
-tape drives. Please refer to the section *Note Supported tape drives::
-for further information. `ftape' `does not' cover SCSI or QIC-02 tape
-drives. DAT tape drives usually (always?) connect to a SCSI controller.
-This is but one of the Linux HOWTO documents. You can get an index of
-the HOWTOs from the Linux HOWTO index, while the real HOWTO's can be
-fetched (using `ftp') from `sunsite.unc.edu:pub/Linux/doc/HOWTO' (this
-is the "official" place) or via the World Wide Web from the Linux
-Documentation Project home page.
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Legalese::
-* Revision History::
-* The preliminaries::
-* Getting and installing `ftape'::
-* The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives::
-* Hardware support::
-* Backing up and restoring data::
-* Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape'::
-* Frequently Asked Questions::
-* Debugging the `ftape' driver::
-* Contributions::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Legalese, Next: Revision History, Prev: Top, Up: Top
-
-Legalese
-********
-
- The Linux ftape-HOWTO may be reproduced and distributed in whole or
-in part, subject to the following conditions:
-
- Copyright (c) 1993-1996 by Kai Harrekilde-Petersen
- Email: khp@dolphinics.no
-
- Copyright (c) 1996-1997 by Kevin Johnson
- Email: kjj@pobox.com
-
- Copyright (c) 1998-2000 by Claus-Justus Heine
- Email: heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
-
- The Linux ftape-HOWTO is a free document; you may reproduce and/or
-modify it under the terms of version 2 (or, at your option, any later
-version) of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
-Software Foundation.
-
- This HOWTO is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
-WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU
-General Public License for more details.
-
- The author encourages wide distribution of this document for personal
-or commercial use, provided that the above copyright notice remains
-intact and the provisions of the GNU General Public License are adhered
-to. The summary is that you may copy and distribute this document free
-of charge, or for a profit. No explicit permission is required from
-the author for reproduction of this document in any medium, physical or
-electronic.
-
- Note that derivative works and translations of this document must be
-placed under the GNU General Public License, and the original copyright
-notice must remain intact. If you have contributed new material to
-this document, you must make the source code (e.g., SGML source)
-available for your revisions. Please make revisions and updates
-available directly to the author: Contact heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
-via Internet e-mail. This will allow the author to merge updates and
-provide consistent revisions to the Linux community.
-
- The author encourages distributors of Linux software in any medium to
-use the HOWTO as an installation and user guide. Given the copyright
-above, you are free to print and distribute copies of this document
-with your software. If doing so, you may wish to include a short
-"installation supplement" for your release, or modify the relevant
-sections of this book to reflect your product.
-
- The author would like to know of any plans to publish and distribute
-this HOWTO commercially. In this way, we can ensure that you are kept
-up-to-date with new revisions. And, should a new version be right
-around the corner, you might wish to delay your publication of the
-HOWTO until it is available.
-
- If you are distributing this HOWTO commercially, donations,
-royalties, and/or printed copies are greatly appreciated by the author.
-Contributing in this way shows your support for free software and the
-Linux Documentation Project.
-
- If you have questions or comments, please contact the author at
-
- heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Revision History, Next: The preliminaries, Prev: Legalese, Up: Top
-
-Revision History
-****************
-
-`version 3.0 (August, 1998)'
- * Additions to list of supported hardware.
-
- * New section about differences between ftape versions.
-
- * Pointers to the Ftape-FAQ and the Ftape manual.
-
- * Updated to ftape-4.03.
-
- * Additions to the FAQ.
-
- * Update all URLs.
-
-`version 2.0 (March 15, 1997)'
- * Updated to ftape v2.11 and v3.xx
-
- * Lots of updates.
-
-`version 1.9 (September 20, 1996)'
- * New maintainers of ftape and the HOWTO.
-
- * A few minor formatting and spelling fixes.
-
- * Updated for Linux v2.0.
-
- * Started to integrate some of Andrew Martin's ftape info.
-
-`version 1.8 (May 22, 1996)'
- * Copyright policy changed to GNU GPL v2
-
- * The maintainer's email address has changed.
-
- * Updated to ftape-2.08
-
- * `ftape' is now a part of the kernel distribution.
-
-`version 1.7.1 (February 13, 1996)'
- * Updated to ftape-2.06b
-
-`version 1.7 (January 28, 1996)'
- * Updated to ftape-2.06 and modules-1.3.57
-
-`version 1.6.2 (January 23, 1996)'
- * Connor TST3200R drive added
-
- * Updated 2Mbps fdc information.
-
-`version 1.6.1 (January 16, 1996)'
- * minor corrections
-
-`version 1.6 (January 10, 1996)'
- * New maintainer of `ftape'
-
- * updated to v2.05
-
- * added new drives
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: The preliminaries, Next: Getting and installing `ftape', Prev: Revision History, Up: Top
-
-The preliminaries
-*****************
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Other sources of information::
-* Contacts::
-* What is `ftape'::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Other sources of information, Next: Contacts, Up: The preliminaries
-
-Other sources of information
-============================
-
-`ftape version 3'
- `ftape-3.x' came with a manual of its own, which is contained in
- the `ftape-3.04d' package available from the usual places. See
- *Note Getting `ftape':: .
-
-`ftape version 4'
- `ftape-4.x' also has a documentation package `ftape-doc' which is
- available from the usual places. It contains the `ftape-howto' as
- well as the `ftape-manual' which can be viewed online (e.g.) at
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/archives/ftape-4.x/ftape-manual/html/
-
- This Ftape-HOWTO, however, also focusses on `ftape-4.x' and is
- meant as an entry point to the available documentation. See *Note
- Getting `ftape':: .
-
-`ftape-tools'
- The `ftape-tools' package (including useful utilities for `ftape')
- comes with its own manual. See *Note Getting `ftape':: .
-
-`Ftape-FAQ'
- The `Ftape-FAQ' is included wordly in this manual, but more recent
- versions may be found at http://www.correct.nl/~ftape.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Contacts, Next: What is `ftape', Prev: Other sources of information, Up: The preliminaries
-
-Contacts
-========
-
- The maintainer of the source for `ftape' is Claus Heine
-. He has a web page at
-http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/.
-
- If you have a problem or questions about ftape, try posting to the
-`Linux Tape' mailing list `linux-tape@vger.rutger.edu' (see *Note
-Following the development of the `ftape' driver:: below). There also
-used to be a newsgroup that mirrored the mailing list traffic but it
-has vanished some time ago.
-
- I use `ftape' (it is my sole means of backing up on my linux box :-).
-I hesitate to make recommendations on what hardware to buy. See the
-section *Note Supported tape drives:: and *Note Unsupported tape
-drives:: for a list of supported and unsupported drives.
-
- You should try to post a summary of your problems and its
-solution(s), after you've got it working, even if you only got it
-partially working. Please also send a copy copy of your solution to the
-Linux Tape mailing list at so that it can
-be added to the HOWTO and/or the FAQ.
-
- If you receive this as part of a printed distribution or on a CD-ROM,
-please check out the Linux Documentation home page or ftp to
-ftp://sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/doc/HOWTO to see if there exists a
-more recent version. This could potentially save you a lot of trouble.
-
- If you email me, please include the string `ftape' in the subject
-line. This will help ensure the mail doesn't inadvertently get buried.
-But preferrably you should email to the Linux Tape mailing list at
- instead of contacting me directly.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What is `ftape', Prev: Contacts, Up: The preliminaries
-
-What is `ftape'
-===============
-
- `ftape' is a driver program that controls various low-cost tape
-drives that connect to the floppy controller.
-
- `ftape' is not a backup program as such; it is a device driver,
-which allows you to use the tape drive (just like the SoundBlaster 16
-driver let you use your sound card) through the device files
-`/dev/[n]qft[0-3]'.
-
- `ftape' was originally written by Bas Laarhoven `',
-with "a little help from his friends" to sort out the ECC (Error
-Correcting Code) stuff. `ftape' is copyrighted by Bas under the GNU
-General Public License, which basically says: "go ahead and share this
-with the world, just don't disallow other people from copying it
-further".
-
- `ftape' has undergone several changes since then. While the
-Linux-2.0.x kernel series still contains `ftape-2.08' the v2.1.x and
-soon the v2.2.* kernel series come with `ftape-3.x' (hopefully even
-with `ftape-4.03', but this wasn't clear at the time of this writing)
-which differs in some points from the `ftape-2.x' driver. Since
-version `3.00' the `ftape' driver has been maintained by me
-(Claus-Justus Heine); it has been changed and improved in several
-respects and support for new hardware has been added.
-
- `ftape' is quite stable, and has been that for some time now. It is
-reliable enough for critical backups (but it's always a good idea to
-check your backups, so you won't get a nasty surprise some day).
-
- `ftape' supports drives that conform to the QIC-117 and one of the
-QIC-80, QIC-40, QIC-3010, and QIC-3020 standards as well as the Iomega
-Ditto 2GB and Ditto Max drives which no longer strictly conform to the
-QIC standards in all respects.
-
- `ftape' can drive floppy tape drives that connect to the internal FDC
-as well as certain parallel port floppy tape drives.
-
- `ftape' supports neither QIC-02, IDE (ATAPI), nor SCSI tape drives.
-SCSI drives are accessed as `/dev/[n]st[0-7]' and are supported by the
-kernel through the SCSI drivers. If you look for help on SCSI tape
-drives, you should read the `SCSI-howto'. ATAPI tape drives are
-supported by the kernel since 1.3.46. See section *Note Supported tape
-drives:: and *Note Unsupported tape drives:: for a list of supported
-and unsupported drives.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Getting and installing `ftape', Next: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives, Prev: The preliminaries, Up: Top
-
-Getting and installing `ftape'
-******************************
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Getting `ftape'::
-* Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions::
-* Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier::
-* Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels::
-* Following the development of the `ftape' driver::
-* Mixing `ftape' and floppies::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Getting `ftape', Next: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
-
-Getting `ftape'
-===============
-
- The v2.0.x versions of the kernel include version 2.08 of `ftape' I
-recommend, however, that you grab the latest version of the full source
-code package for `ftape'. It is a newer version, includes files that
-are not included in the kernel v2.0.X distribution, and includes much
-better documentation about how to install `ftape'. The v2.1.x and
-later versions of the kernel include the version 3.04 of `ftape'.
-
- I recommend that you download the latest stable version of `ftape'
-which is 4.03 at the time of this writing and is available from
-
- http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/archives.html
-
- as well as from
-
- ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/kernel/tapes/.
-
- You probably should also grab the `ftape-doc' and the `ftape-tools'
-package that are available from the same locations.
-
- If you still want to use the `ftape-2.08' which is shipped with the
-v2.0.x kernels, then you get a version of the driver which is really
-out of date and doesn't support QIC-3020 tapes at 2Mbps correctly,
-neither does it support the Ditto 2GB drives nor the Ditto Max drives
-nor any kind of parallel port tape drive. The section *Note Supported
-tape drives::
-
- gives detailed information about which version of the `ftape' driver
-supports which hardware.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions, Next: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier, Prev: Getting `ftape', Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
-
-Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions
-====================================================================
-
- `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' use the file system interface that was
-implemented for a branch release which was called `zftape'. Actually,
-the module that implements the `VFS' (`Virtual File System') interface
-of `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' still is called `zftape.o' and its
-`C'-sources inside the kernel tree reside in
-`[/usr/src/linux/]drivers/char/ftape/zftape/'.
-
- `ftape-2.x' (i.e. the version still contained in the v2.0.x kernel)
-uses another file system interface, that was implemented by `ftape's'
-original author Bas Larhoven.
-
-`File Marks'
- The conceptional difference between `ftape-2.x' and later versions
- of `ftape' is the way `file marks' are implemented.
-
- `Floppy tape devices' don't have real file marks.(1) Because the
- goal of `ftape's' file system interface was from the beginning on
- to provide an interface that could be used with standard Unix-like
- tape utilities (i.e. `mt') the developers of `ftape' started to
- emulate file marks by storing the positions on the tape where a
- file mark should be located in certain fields of the header
- segments.(2)
-
- However, the `QIC' standards already designate a special region to
- store such information in, the so called `volume table segment'.
- Since `ftape-3.x' this `volume table segment' is used instead of
- using unused data fields in the header segment. As a result it is
- possible to use your tape cartridge with different operating
- systems in the sense that your Win or DOS backup program will
- realize that certain regions of the tape cartridge are already
- occupied with data, and `ftape-3.x' and later will detect the
- regions used by those DOS and Win programs. However, you can't
- extract a DOS backup set under Linux or extract a volume written
- by `ftape' under DOS, safe you write your own software to do that.
-
-`IOCTL interface'
- There are certain differences in the `IOCTL'(3) interface between
- `ftape-2.x' and `ftape-3.x' and later. A detailed description can
- be found in the `ftape-manual' contained in the `ftape-doc'
- package. See *Note Getting `ftape':: .
-
-`Formatting'
- Formatting of cartridges is supported with `ftape-3.x' and later
- `only'. Please get the `ftape-tools' package that contains the
- `ftformat' program that interfaces to the driver to format
- cartridges. See *Note Getting `ftape':: . The `ftape-tools'
- package comes with (more or less) detailed documentation, so the
- case of formatting cartridges is not dealt with in this document.
-
-`Compression'
- `ftape-3.x' supported user transparent on-the-fly compression in
- software. This feature (or `bug') has vanished in `ftape-4.x' as
- it made further improvements concerning the realiability of backups
- very very hard. This means, `ftape-4.x' comes without compression
- support.
-
- However `de-compression' of compressed archives produced with
- `ftape-3.x' `is' supported in order not to brake existing backup
- programs where a user-level filter would not suffice to preserve
- compatibility. Think, e.g., of `taper' which calls the `MTIOC'
- ioctls itself instead of relying on the `mt' program to perform
- tape operations.
-
- The `ftape-manual' contained in the `ftape-doc' package contains
-much more detailed information about `ftape`s' file system interface as
-well as implementation notes which by far exceed the scope of this
-HOWTO. See *Note Getting `ftape':: for informations about where to
-obtain the manual.
-
- ---------- Footnotes ----------
-
- (1) `File marks' are used to distinguish different backup sets if
-you write multiple backup sets to a tape. SCSI and QIC-150 tapes have
-`real' file marks, i.e. between two different backup sets there is a
-region on the tape that is written special data to so that the drive
-logic can detect that marker when the tape is wound with (possibly)
-high speed over those file marks.
-
- (2) `header segments' refers to a region at the beginning of the
-tape sized two times 29k to hold some important information about the
-tape format and size and some status information.
-
- (3) This `IO control' interface is used by e.g. `mt' to rewind the
-tape or skip to the next file mark or do any other tape operation.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier, Next: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels, Prev: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
-
-Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier
-====================================================
-
- kernels
-
- The following section provides some useful information to get you
-going with the installation of v4.x which is `not' shipped with the
-kernel source tree yet but has to be downloaded separately, see the
-section *Note Getting `ftape':: above.
-
- Once you've downloaded the source code (probably
-`ftape-4.03-tar.gz'), untar it. You can do this by determining what
-directory you want the source code to be located in. I recommend
-`/usr/src/' or `/src'. When the tar file is extracted, it will dump
-everything into a `ftape-4.03' subdirectory, so that you'll end up, in
-the example I've given, with something like `/usr/src/ftape-4.03' or
-`/src/ftape-4.03'.
-
- `NOTE:' you cannot compile `ftape-4.03' into your v2.0.x kernel.
-Instead, configure your kernel to `not' compile the `ftape' driver and
-follow the installation instructions in the `ftape-4.03' distribution
-and install `ftape-4.03' as a module.
-
- Read the `README' file. The `README' is required reading. It's the
-top of the tree, so to speak. If there are specific files that the
-`README' tells you to read then read them. It will make the process
-much less complicated.
-
- Do NOT proceed with compiling the package until you have read the
-appropriate `README' files and the `INSTALL' file.
-
- Afterwards you need to edit the `MCONFIG' file and configure you
-package according to your hardware. The `MCONFIG' file contains lots of
-explanations so it should be fairly easy to go along with it.
-
- However, most of the hardware configuration can be done via setting
-parameters during module load time so most parameters specified in the
-file `MCONFIG' simply give the default configuration, but you don't
-need to recompile the driver to change IO addresses or interrupt
-settings. The file `INSTALL' and the file `modules/insert' contain
-examples how to specify the proper module parameters when loading the
-kernel modules, so I won't go into further detail here.
-
- If you are using a Linux-v1.3.x kernel, you should consider moving to
-v2.0.x. v1.3.x was the development release prior to the production
-release v2.0.x.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels, Next: Following the development of the `ftape' driver, Prev: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
-
-Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels
-===================================================
-
- Maybe `ftape-4.03' will be included into the v2.4.x kernel, but
- this isn't clear at the time of this writing. This HOWTO will be
- revised appropriately when this has become clear. So long you have to
- refer to the previous section
- *Note Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier::
- .
- this section.
-
- In case a kernel already includes `ftape-4.x' then you don't need to
-download the `ftape-4.x' kernel driver package.
-
- If `ftape-4.x' is included in any kernel source tree then
-`ftape-4.x' can be completely configured using the kernel configuration
-menus (either with `make menuconfig' or `make xconfig'. Also, there is
-online help available that documents each parameter setting which I
-won't repeat here.
-
- The various boot- and loadtime parameter settings are explained in
-the file
-
- `[/usr/src/linux/]Documentation/ftape.txt'
-
- in the Linux kernel source tree.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Following the development of the `ftape' driver, Next: Mixing `ftape' and floppies, Prev: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
-
-Following the development of the `ftape' driver
-===============================================
-
- If you want to follow the development of the `ftape' driver, you
-should subscribe to the Linux Tape mailing list
-`linux-tape@vger.rutgers.edu'. To do so you need to send an email
-saying "subscribe linux-tape" (`in the body') to
-`majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu'. When you subscribe, you will be sent a
-greeting mail, which will tell you how to submit real mails and how to
-get off the list again. `Store this email in a safe place'. Please.
-
- Please note that I do not, repeat `DO NOT', have any special powers
-with regard to this mailing list. If you're stuck on the list, don't
-bother to tell me that. I can only shrug and send you my sympathy (but
-that won't get you off the list).
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Mixing `ftape' and floppies, Prev: Following the development of the `ftape' driver, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
-
-Mixing `ftape' and floppies
-===========================
-
- If you use your floppy tape drive with the standard FDC then the
-floppy drive and the floppy tape drive cannot run concurrently as they
-share the same hardware, the FDC, and the `floppy' and the `ftape'
-driver do not talk to each other. Thus, if you have mounted a floppy
-and then try to access the tape drive, `ftape' will complain that it
-cannot grab IRQ6 and then die. This is especially a problem when
-designing a emergency disk for use with ftape. This solution is to
-either load the boot/root disk into a ramdisk and then unmount the
-floppy, or have two floppy drive controllers.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives, Next: Hardware support, Prev: Getting and installing `ftape', Up: Top
-
-The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
-********************************************
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Formatting::
-* Retensioning::
-* Drive Cleaning::
-* Repairing de-spooled cartridges::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Formatting, Next: Retensioning, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
-
-Formatting
-==========
-
- Before a tape can be used, it must be formatted. The formatting
-process lays out sector information onto the tape. Other tape
-interfaces don't typically require formatting. The reason floppy tapes
-do is that they need to look like a floppy (kinda gross, but what the
-hey - it works :-).
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Can I format my tapes under Linux?::
-* Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Can I format my tapes under Linux?, Next: Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?, Up: Formatting
-
-Can I format my tapes under Linux?
-----------------------------------
-
- Yes, you can, if you use `ftape-3.04d' or above. To format a floppy
-tape cartridge you need a user level tool called `ftformat' as well
-which is contained in the `ftape-tools' distribution (see section *Note
-Getting `ftape':: ).
-
- The `ftape-tools' package comes with its own manual, so I do not need
-to repeat here how to use `ftformat'.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?, Prev: Can I format my tapes under Linux?, Up: Formatting
-
-Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?
-----------------------------------------------
-
- The following are known to work:
-
- * Colorado Memory System's software (`tape.exe')
-
- * Conner Backup Basics v1.1 and all Windows versions
-
- * Norton Backup
-
- * QICstream version 2
-
- * Tallgrass FileSecure v1.52
-
- * Escom Powerstream 3.0 (`qs3.exe' - QICstream v3?)
-
- These programs are known to be more or less buggy:
-
- * Conner Backup Basics 1.0
-
- * Colorado Windows tape program
-
- * CP Backup (wastes tape space, but is OK apart from that)
-
- As a general rule, most software under DOS should work. The Conner
-Backup Basics v1.0 has a parameter off by one (someone could not read
-the QIC-80 specs right!), which is corrected in version 1.1. However,
-`ftape' detects this, and will work around it. Dennis T. Flaherty
-(`') report that Conner C250MQ owners can
-obtain the new v1.1, by calling Conner at 1-800-4Conner (in the US) and
-ask for an upgrade (for a nominal fee for the floppy). The Windows
-versions should work fine. Some versions of Colorado's tape program
-for windows, has an off-by-one error in the number of segments. `ftape'
-also detect and work around that bug.
-
- Central Point Backup can be used, but it wastes precious tape space
-when it encounters a bad spot on the tape.
-
- NOTE: If you are running a formatting software under DOS, which is
-not mentioned here, please mail the relevant info to me
-(), so I can update the list.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Retensioning, Next: Drive Cleaning, Prev: Formatting, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
-
-Retensioning
-============
-
- QIC tapes are particularly sensitive to tape stretch. The reason is
-that floppy tapes are pre-formatted with sector information, whereas
-other tape types have their sync information written as the data is
-written to the tape. If the floppy tape stretches and the sync fields
-get out of sync the result will be read errors. The problem is worse
-with longer tapes.
-
- It is a good idea to retension new tapes a few times before using
-them and before formatting them. You should also try retensioning the
-tape if you are start getting read errors. It might also be a good idea
-retension the tape before a backup.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Drive Cleaning, Next: Repairing de-spooled cartridges, Prev: Retensioning, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
-
-Drive Cleaning
-==============
-
- The coating on the tape is an oxide compound. As the tape is dragged
-across the tape head it has a tendency to leave tiny amounts of residue
-on the head. You should periodically use a tape cleaner - following
-the specs for the drive in question. Tape cleaners should be available
-from any distributer of tapes.
-
- One more additional note about tape cleaning. You might want to
-clean the drive after the first use of a brand new tape. A brand new
-tape will typically leave quite a bit of residue the first time it's
-used.
-
- Thanks to Neal Friedman for the explanation and suggestion that this
-information be included in the HOWTO.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Repairing de-spooled cartridges, Prev: Drive Cleaning, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
-
-Repairing de-spooled cartridges
-===============================
-
- In rare occasions it can happen that the tape drive doesn't detect
-the `EOT' (End Of Tape) markers correctly. These markers are simply
-holes in the tape which are detected by the tape drive with means of a
-little photo-transistor (or the like).
-
- The manual of your tape drive will probably give you proper hints how
-to clean those EOT detectors.
-
- However, if the EOT detection fails, then the tape drive despooles
-the cartridge because the tape isn't glued to the wheels, but hold by
-friction only.
-
- There are detailed instructions how to fix such a despooled tape at
-the Iomega WWW pages at
-
- http://www.iomega.com/support/techs/ditto/3006.html
-
- and at the Hewlett Packard WWW pages at
-
- http://www.hp.com/isgsupport/cms/docs/lpg12020.html
-
- If the pages shouldn't be in the exact locations as given above, then
-please try to browse a little bit through the web pages of HP or Iomega
-until you find the needed information.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Hardware support, Next: Backing up and restoring data, Prev: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives, Up: Top
-
-Hardware support
-****************
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Supported tape drives::
-* Supported special controllers::
-* Unsupported tape drives::
-* Using an external tape drive with `ftape'::
-* PCI motherboards and `ftape'::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Supported tape drives, Next: Supported special controllers, Up: Hardware support
-
-Supported tape drives
-=====================
-
- All drives that are both QIC-117 compatible `and' one of the QIC-40,
-80, 3010, and 3020 standards should work. QIC-WIDE and Travan drives
-are also supported (TR-1 is just QIC-80 with 8mm tapes, while TR-2 and
-TR-3 is a.k.a QIC-3010 and 3020 respectively). Iomega Ditto 2GB and
-Ditto Max drives are supported, too, though they no longer conform to
-the QIC standards in every respect. Some parallel port tape drives are
-supported as well.
-
- Some of the comments given below about possible problems with certain
-tape drives are very old, and I don't have access to all of the
-hardware, so I couldn't check everything.
-
- Some of the reports below have been commented by me
-() like this:
-
- This is a comment.
-
- Currently, the list of drives that are known to work with `ftape' is:
-
-`Alloy Retriever 250'
-
-`Archive 5580i, XL9250i'
-
-`Colorado DJ-10, DJ-20 (aka: Jumbo 120, Jumbo 250)'
-
-`Colorado 1400'
- reported a problem doing a 1G
- backup using taper.
-
-`Colorado Trakker parallel port tape drive'
- Support added by Jochen Hoenicke
- .
-
-`HP Colorado T1000'
- The problem reports are probably totally out-dated. In
- particular, the `zftape' the people talk about doesn't exist
- any more, and the `ftape' driver is the very `ftape-2.08'.
-
- Works with 3M Travan 400M (TR-1) tapes with 120M tapes. Also
- reported that mt dies, but with backups using tar it works ok.
- With cpio, ftape is recommended rather than zftape.
- ()
-
- Problems have been reported with the drive continually stopping and
- starting with zftape (<75104.1756@compuserve.com>). This appears
- to be a problem with the tape going too fast for the computer; the
- DMA buffers are getting flushed before getting filled again. Newer
- versions of zftape don't do this any more is a suitably fast backup
- program or large DMA buffers are used
- ().
-
-`Conner C250MQ(T)'
- The 250Q is reported to generate write error and frequent
- repositioning. (Frank Stuess at Nacamar Data Communications)
-
- Write errors need not be caused by the tape drive, but also
- by bad tape cartridges. Frequent repositioning can be caused
- by bad cartridges, too, but can also be caused by overrun
- errors which would indicate that the FDC and DMA controller
- have problems to talk to each other.
-
-`Conner TSM420R, TSM850R'
- The 400 and 800 models only work with TR-1 tapes.
-
- I don't know whether it was meant that named drives doesn't
- work with ordinary 120MB DC-2120 cartridges, or that TR-3
- tapes can't be read. The tape drives weren't designed for the
- latter. So what.
-
-`Conner TST3200R'
- Works with TR-3 tapes at 1Mbps (ie. 1600M capacity only). Wirks
- with QIC-WIDE 400M tapes (Sony 5122's?) ().
- Works with TR3, QIC-3010, and QIC-3020 tapes. Comes with a 2MB FDC
- which the Promise 2300+ 1Mbps controller works
- ().
-
- Reported that the floppy disk can no longer read low-density
- floppies. May have to fiddle with IRQ/ports/dma channels
- ().
-
- The TST3200R works well with `ftape'.
-
-`Conner TST800R'
- The TST800R works with TR-1, Sony QW5122F (210M) and DC2120 tapes.
-
- Works well with `ftape' since `ftape-2.07' at least. Used it
- myself until the drive died with a melted transistor.
- Probably caused by over-heating it previously.
-
-`Conner CTT3200'
- The CTT3200 is supposedly identical to the Iomega Ditto 3200. It
- works with the supplied 2Mbps controller, but reported not to work
- under DOS on some machines. ()
-
-`Conner 1.7G Tapestor (TSM1700R)'
- Works with QIC-WIDE tapes (). Partially works
- with QIS-3200. Using the HSC-2 controller, the DMA channel needs
- to be changed (incremented by 1, channel2?, Modify the Makefile).
- You then need to modify the ftape Makefile to reflect this change.
- However, ftape seems to be a bit flaky with this (no version number
- supplied) (). It may not work at 2Mbps (QIC-3020)
- with the HSC controller. The tape died with a messages like "dumb
- tape stop" and has since been unreliable ().
-
- No recent informations available
-
-`Escom or Archive (Hornet) 31250Q'
-
-`Exabyte EXB-1500'
- Work with QIC-3010 tapes.
-
-`Exabyte TR-3'
-
-`Irwin 80SX, Insight 80Mb'
-
-`Iomega 250'
-
-`Iomega Ditto Tape Insider 420, 1700'
-
-`Iomega Ditto Tape Insider 3200'
- This is the unit, that I use. The default jumper settings don't
- work. Leave the irq and ioport address at the default (6 and
- 0x370, respectfully), but change the DMA from 3 to 2. (Kevin
- Johnson ).
-
- Refer to the file `MCONFIG' of recent `ftape' distributions
- for other suggestions for ioport, irq and DMA channel.
-
- May require the having `{0x08882, 80, wake_up_colorado, "Iomega
- 3200"},' added to `vendors.h' on older versions of `ftape'.
-
- Problems reported with ftape 2.07 and kernel 1.12.13. With all
- sorts of combinations of accelerator, etc, the drive may (on some
- systems) only be accessed once (). Also, after the
- first access, the next use of the tape says it is write protected
- (, ).
-
- There has been one report of a problem where the tape got wound off
- the end of the spool.
-
- This may be caused by a dirty EOT sensor, and need not be a
- real hardware bug (except when it was a bug that dirtied the
- EOT sensor ...)
-
- Another problem has been reported with writing archives (with dd)
- to the tape. It may start fine, but when the driver catches up
- with dd, it stops the tape and rewinds it to the beginning. Then
- it starts winding on through the tape ad infinitum. It appears to
- occur when the driver asks the tape to pause which should cause
- the tape to move back by 3 segments, but instead is moves back to
- the beginning of the tape. A bug fix submitted is reported to not
- solve the problem.
-
- Should have been fixed somewhere between `ftape-3.00' and
- `ftape-4.00'. Unluckily, the fast-skipping facilities of all
- Iomega floppy tape drives are `really' poor. Recent `ftape'
- versions work around this problem. I suggest getting the
- latest version of the `ftape' driver when you experience this
- problem.
-
-`Iomega Ditto 800 Insider'
- Works with Travan TR1, TR2, or DC2120 tapes
- ().
-
-`Iomega Ditto 2GB'
- Support added by Jochen Hoenicke
- to `ftape-3.xx' and
- later.
-
- Can't format cartridges, writing is only possible with special
- Ditto 2GB cartridges (hardware limitation, not a lacking feature of
- `ftape').
-
-`Iomega Ditto Max'
-
-`Iomega Ditto Max Pro'
- Supported since `ftape-4.00'. Thanks to Tim Jones
- .
-
- Can't format cartridges, writing is only possible with special
- Ditto Max cartridges (hardware limitation, not a lacking feature
- of `ftape')
-
- I wasn't able to get the Ditto Max to work with any other device
- than `/dev/[n]qft0'. I don't know whether this is a feature of the
- Ditto Max or the Ditto EZ controller I had plugged the Ditto Max
- into.
-
- You don't need to buy a `Ditto Max Pro' to use the 5/10GB
- cartridges. With `ftape' there is no real difference between the
- `Ditto Max' and the `Ditto Max Pro'.
-
-`Iomega Ditto 800/3200/2GB/Max/Max Pro Easy (parallel port)'
- Supported since `ftape-4.00' with the `bpck-fdc' FDC driver.
-
-`Mountain FS8000'
-
-`Reveal TB1400'
- Reported not to work with kernel 1.3.79 and ftape (no version
- given) or with kernel 1.2.13 and zftape 1.04
- ().
-
- The mentioned `ftape' driver versions are out of date. If you
- still have such a beast try the more recent versions of the
- `ftape' driver.
-
-`Summit SE 150, SE 250'
-
-`Tallgrass FS300'
- If you have a Tallgrass FS300 and an AHA1542B, you need to increase
- the bus-on / bus-off time of the 1542B. Antti Virjo
- (`'), says that changing `CMD_BUSON_TIME' to 4 and
- `CMD_BUSOFF_CMD' to 12 in `linux/drivers/scsi/aha1542.c' will do
- the trick.
-
-`Teac 800'
-
-`Memorex tape drive backup system'
-
-`Wangtek 3040F, 3080F'
- You can always check out the newest list of drives that are
-recognised by `ftape', by looking in the file `vendors.h' in the `ftape'
-distribution.
-
- Although I do not want to endorse one drive type over another, it has
-been reported that the Colorado DJ-20 drive is rather noisy, when
-compared to, say, a Conner C250MQ drive ('tis said that the Colorado is
-5-10 times as noisy as the Conner drive. Since I have neither, I can't
-tell for sure).
-
- If you have a drive that works fine, but it is not listed here, or
- if you have corrections to the above information, please send a
- mail to the HOWTO maintainer (`').
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Supported special controllers, Next: Unsupported tape drives, Prev: Supported tape drives, Up: Hardware support
-
-Supported special controllers
-=============================
-
- These dedicated high-speed tape controllers are supported by `ftape':
-
- * Colorado FC-10, FC-20
-
- * Mountain MACH-2
-
- * Iomega Tape Accelerator II
-
- * 2Mbps controllers (using the i82078-1 fdc)
-
- * Iomega Ditto EZ 4Mbps PnP controller
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Colorado FC-10 FC-20::
-* Mountain MACH-2::
-* Iomega Tape Accelerator II::
-* Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers::
-* Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Colorado FC-10 FC-20, Next: Mountain MACH-2, Up: Supported special controllers
-
-Colorado FC-10 FC-20
---------------------
-
- Support for the FC-10 controller has been merged into the `ftape'
-driver in version 1.12. See the `RELEASE-NOTES' and the `Makefile'
-files in the `ftape' distribution. Since of version 2.03 of `ftape',
-the FC-20 controller will work, but only at 1Mbit/sec (check the
-Release notes!).
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Mountain MACH-2, Next: Iomega Tape Accelerator II, Prev: Colorado FC-10 FC-20, Up: Supported special controllers
-
-Mountain MACH-2
----------------
-
- The support for the MACH-2 controller was added in `ftape-1.14d'.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Iomega Tape Accelerator II, Next: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers, Prev: Mountain MACH-2, Up: Supported special controllers
-
-Iomega Tape Accelerator II
---------------------------
-
- To use the Iomega Tape Accelerator II (`not' to be mistaken as the
-Iomega Ditto Dash!), use `-DMACH2', and set the right settings for I/O
-base, IRQ and DMA. This works (by the empirical testing of Scott
-Bailey ), with at least `ftape-2.02'.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers, Next: Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller, Prev: Iomega Tape Accelerator II, Up: Supported special controllers
-
-Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers
----------------------------------------------
-
- The Iomega Ditto Dash, and all other known 2Mbps controllers, use the
-Intel 82078-1 chip, which can run at 2Mbps. This is supported properly
-since `ftape-3.00'.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller, Prev: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers, Up: Supported special controllers
-
-Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller
-------------------------------
-
- This controller requires the use of e.g. the `isapnptools' package to
-configure it. You may get it from
-
- http://www.roestock.demon.co.uk/isapnptools/
-
- The controller will cause too many overrun errors when used at the
-highest possible speed of 4Mbps. Neither Tim Jones
-nor I have been able to find but a
-single system which could run the controller at 4Mbps. 3Mbps seems to
-be fine.
-
- If you configure the Ditto EZ to use DMA 2 (the DMA channel used by
-the floppy controller) then your floppy drive will no longer work. It
-doesn't help to disable the controllers DMA gate (as is the case with
-other hight speed controllers) so this can't be helped from inside
-`ftape'.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Unsupported tape drives, Next: Using an external tape drive with `ftape', Prev: Supported special controllers, Up: Hardware support
-
-Unsupported tape drives
-=======================
-
- * Some parallel port floppy tape drives still not work. Others do.
-
- * Irwin AX250L / Accutrak 250. (not a QIC-80 drive)
-
- * IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit (identical to the Irwin AX250L
- drive)
-
- * COREtape light
-
- The Irwin AX250L (and the IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit) does not
-work the `ftape'. This is because they only support QIC-117, but not
-the QIC-80 standard (they use Irwin's proprietary "servoe (Rhomat)"
-format). I know nothing about the Rhomat format, nor where to get any
-info on it. Sorry.
-
- The COREtape light does not accept the initialisation commands, we're
-feeding it. This pretty much leaves the drive unusable.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Using an external tape drive with `ftape', Next: PCI motherboards and `ftape', Prev: Unsupported tape drives, Up: Hardware support
-
-Using an external tape drive with `ftape'
-=========================================
-
- If you have a floppy controller which has a female DB37 connector on
-the bracket (and some means of delivering power to the drive), you can
-use it with `ftape'. OK, that sentence was not very obvious. Let's try
-it this way: Some FDC's (the very ancient one's), have a DB37 connector
-on the bracket, for connecting to external floppy drives.
-
- If you make a suitable cable from the DB37 connector (on the FDC) to
-your external tape drive, you can get `ftape' to control your tape
-drive.
-
- This is because that from a program's view there is no difference
-between the internal and the external connectors. So, from `ftape"s
-point of view, they are identical.
-
- * Pins 20-37: GROUND
-
- * 1: +12 Volt (POWER)
-
- * 2: +12 Volt return (GROUND)
-
- * 3: +5 Volt return (GROUND)
-
- * 4: +5 Volt (POWER)
-
- * 5: 2
-
- * 6: 8
-
- * 7: 10
-
- * 8: 12
-
- * 9: 14
-
- * 10: 16
-
- * 11: 18
-
- * 12: 20
-
- * 13: 22
-
- * 14: 24
-
- * 15: 26
-
- * 16: 28
-
- * 17: 30
-
- * 18: 32
-
- * 19: 34
-
- The power connector is of the "mini" type, sitting on 3.5" floppy
-drives. The idea appears to be that you plug one of the power
-connectors from the PSU to this connector on the board. If you want to
-use just a single cable, you might want to get a 50 wire cable, and use
-multiple wires for the power lines (and ground, for that matter).
-
- I have received no confirmation from anyone that this works. Let me
-know your results if you try it.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: PCI motherboards and `ftape', Prev: Using an external tape drive with `ftape', Up: Hardware support
-
-PCI motherboards and `ftape'
-============================
-
- Unfortunately, some PCI motherboards cause problems when running
-`ftape'. Some people have experienced that `ftape' would not run in a
-PCI based box, but ran flawlessly in a normal ISA based 386DX machine.
-If you have such a problem, please read the `README.PCI' file in the
-`ftape' distribution.
-
- A floppy disk controller needs the ISA bus DMA controller for its
- memory transfers. Seemingly the ISA DMA controller doesn't get
- control over the memory bus often enough on some PCI based systems.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Backing up and restoring data, Next: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape', Prev: Hardware support, Up: Top
-
-Backing up and restoring data
-*****************************
-
- This section describes some simple uses of `tar' and `mt'. Other
-examples can be found in the `ftape-manual' of the `ftape-doc' package.
-The `ftape-tools' contains some simple automated `DejaGnu'(1)
-test-suites. See section *Note Getting `ftape':: for informations
-about where to download those additional packages from.
-
-* Menu:
-
-* Writing an archive to a tape::
-* Restoring an archive::
-* Testing the archive::
-* Putting more than one backup on a tape::
-* Appending files to an archive::
-* Mount/unmounting tapes::
-
- ---------- Footnotes ----------
-
- (1) Package for writing automated tests.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Writing an archive to a tape, Next: Restoring an archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
-
-Writing an archive to a tape
-============================
-
- You can use "tar", "dd", "cpio", and "afio". You will need to use
-"mt" to get the full potential of your tapes and the `ftape' driver.
-For a start I'd recommend using "tar", as it can archive lots of
-directories and let you pick out separate files from an archive.
-`cpio' creates smaller archives and is more generally more flexible
-than `tar', but is missing some features like volume labels. "afio"
-creates backups where each file is compressed individually and then
-concatenated. This will allow you to access the files "after" the
-point of the error. If you use `gzip'ped `tar' files, all data after
-the point of the error is lost! (to me, this is a pretty good reason
-for NOT using compression on backups). The choice of which is most
-appropriate depends on the situation and the features and malfeatures
-of each of the packages. I recommend taking a look at each package at
-reviewing the options that each provides. It's possible that this
-HOWTO may provide more detail on this subject at some point in the
-future.
-
- There are more links pointing to backup software at
-http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/ in the `software'
-section of that page.
-
- To make a backup of your kernel source tree using `tar', do this
-(assuming you have the sources in `/usr/src/linux'):
-
- # cd /usr/src
- # tar cf /dev/ftape linux
-
- This will not compress the files, but gives you a smoother tape run.
-If you want the compression (and you've got `tar' 1.11.2), you just
-include the `-z' flag(*), eg: "tar czf /dev/ftape linux"
-
- For further instructions on how to use `tar', `dd' and `mt' look at
-the man pages and the texinfo files that comes with the respective
-distributions.
-
- (*) `tar' assumes that the first argument is options, so the "-" is
-not necessary, i.e. these two commands are the same: "tar xzf
-/dev/ftape" and "tar -xzf /dev/ftape"
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Restoring an archive, Next: Testing the archive, Prev: Writing an archive to a tape, Up: Backing up and restoring data
-
-Restoring an archive
-====================
-
- OK, let us restore the backup of the kernel source you made in
-section *Note Writing an archive to a tape:: above. To do this you
-simply say
-
- tar xf /dev/ftape
-
- If you used compression, you will have to say
-
- tar xzf /dev/ftape
-
- When you use compression, `gzip' will complain about trailing
-garbage after the very end of the archive (and this will lead to a
-`broken pipe' message). This can be safely ignored.
-
- For the other utilities, please read the man page.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Testing the archive, Next: Putting more than one backup on a tape, Prev: Restoring an archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
-
-Testing the archive
-===================
-
- tar has an option (`-d') for detecting differences between two
-archives. To test your backup of the kernel source say
-
- tar df /dev/ftape
-
- If you do not have the man page for `tar', you are not lost (yet);
-tar has a built-in option list: try "tar -help 2>&1 | less"
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Putting more than one backup on a tape, Next: Appending files to an archive, Prev: Testing the archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
-
-Putting more than one backup on a tape
-======================================
-
- To put more than one backup on a tape you must have the `mt'
-utility. You will probably have it already, if you got one of the
-mainline distributions (eg. Slackware or Debian).
-
- Programs like `tar' and `cpio' generate a single Tape ARchive and
-know nothing about multiple files or positioning of a tape, it just
-reads or writes from/to a device. `mt' knows everything about moving
-the tape back and forth, but nothing about reading the data off the
-tape. As you might have guessed, combining `tar' or `cpio' with `mt'
-does the trick.
-
- By using the `nqft[0-3]' (`nftape') device, you can use "mt" to
-position the tape the correct place ("mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf 2" means
-step over two "file marks", i.e. `tar' files) and then use `tar' or
-`cpio' to read or write the relevant data.
-
- The most common use of the non-rewinding device is to append another
-backup to an existing tape. Here are the specific steps with a little
-explanation thrown in for good measure.
-
- * Insert a tape into the drive. On some devices this may cause the
- tape to be rewound.
-
- * Issue an End-of-Tape command to the NON-rewinding device.
-
- mt -f /dev/n???? eof
-
- The tape should now be positioned at the End-of-Data (`EOD'). The
- tape won't move unless a program opens the device, closes the
- rewinding device, removes the device driver from kernel memory
- (rmmod) or ejects the tape. Using "mt eof" may be faster on QIC
- tapes.
-
- * The next tape operation will start at the EOD mark. If you
- perform a write, it will append a new `file'. If you perform a
- read it will fail with EOF. The EOD mark on most tape formats is
- actually two consecutive EOF marks, however, since version 3.xx
- `ftape ' uses the volume table as specified in the `QIC-113'
- standard to emulate file marks, thus there aren't two consecutive
- file marks at EOD. Writing the EOF marks is handled by either the
- device driver or the hardware when a close() is performed.
-
- * Here's where you write the actual data to the tape.
-
- * Here's the important part. `Now rewind the tape'. Both `ftape'
- caches some information that belongs in the header segments on the
- tape and update those header segments `only when the tape is
- rewound'. This caching is necessary because rewinding the tape and
- updating the header segments takes a conspicuous amount of time.
- The drawback of this caching is that you will lose information if
- you have written to the tape and not rewound the device.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Appending files to an archive, Next: Mount/unmounting tapes, Prev: Putting more than one backup on a tape, Up: Backing up and restoring data
-
-Appending files to an archive
-=============================
-
- "Is there a way to extend an archive - put a file on the tape, then
-later, add more to the tape?"
-
- No. The `tar' documentation will tell you to use "tar -Ar", but it
-does not work. This is a limitation of the current `ftape' driver.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Mount/unmounting tapes, Prev: Appending files to an archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
-
-Mount/unmounting tapes
-======================
-
- Since a tape does not have a "filesystem" on it, you do not mount /
-unmount the tape. To backup, you just insert the tape and run your
-"tar" command (or whatever you use to access the tape with).
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape', Next: Frequently Asked Questions, Prev: Backing up and restoring data, Up: Top
-
-Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape'
-*********************************************
-
- As of the time of this writing (August 1998) I remember that I have read
- about several emergency disk sets in the `c.o.l.a'
- (`comp.os.linux.announce') news group since the time this section has
- been written. Some of those packages actually might produce rather
- sophisticated emergency boot floppy sets. Please check out yourself. I
- didn't try to create an emergency boot floppy with recent versions of
- `ftape'.
-
- This section was written by Claus Toendering `'.
-
- Once you are the happy owner of a tape drive and several tapes full
-of backups, you will probably ask yourself this question: "If everything
-goes wrong, and I completely lose my hard disk, how do I restore my
-files from tape?"
-
- What you need is an emergency floppy disk that contains enough files
-to enable you to boot Linux and restore your hard disk from tape.
-
- The first thing you should do is to read "The Linux Bootdisk HOWTO"
-written by Graham Chapman . That document tells
-you almost everything you need to know about making an emergency floppy
-boot kit. The paragraphs below contain a few extra pieces of
-information that will make your life a bit easier when you follow
-Graham Chapman's procedures:
-
- * You don't really need `/etc/init', `/etc/inittab',
- `/etc/getty', and `/etc/rc.d/*' on your floppy disk. If Linux
- doesn't find `/etc/init', it will start `/bin/sh' on your console,
- which is fine for restoring your system. Deleting these files
- gives you extra space on your floppy, which you will probably need.
-
- * Find a small version of `/bin/sh'. They are frequently
- available on the boot floppies that come with a Linux distribution.
- This again will give you extra space. I'd suggest `ash', which is
- extremely small (approx 62Kbytes), and yet very `bash' compatible.
-
- * The `/etc/fstab' you include on your floppy disk should
- look something like this:
- /dev/fd0 / minix defaults
- none /proc proc defaults
- /dev/hda /mnt ext2 defaults
-
- Once you have booted from your floppy, give the command:
- mount -av
-
- * Make sure your floppy drive is not mounted when you access
- the streamer tape! Otherwise you may get the following error
- message:
- Unable to grab IRQ6 for ftape driver
-
- This means that you `MUST' load the floppy into a RAMDISK.
-
- This has the unfortunate consequence that the programs needed to
- restore the files from the tape can not be located on a separate
- floppy disk. You have two options here:
- 1. You place `tar' (or `cpio' or `afio' or whatever
- other backup program you use) on your root floppy disk.
- (This is where you'll need all the extra space created in the
- steps above.)
-
- 2. Before you start restoring from tape, copy `tar' (or
- `cpio' or `afio' or whatever) to your hard disk and load it
- from there.
-
- * Apart from your backup program, you will probably need
- `mt' on your root floppy as well.
-
- * Make sure your ftape device (typically `/dev/nqft0') is
- present on your boot floppy.
-
- * Finally: `TRY IT OUT!' Of course, I don't recommend that
- you destroy your hard disk contents to see if you are able to
- restore everything. What I do recommend, however, is that you try
- booting from your emergency disks and make sure that you can at
- least make a file listing of the contents of your backup tape.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Frequently Asked Questions, Next: Debugging the `ftape' driver, Prev: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape', Up: Top
-
-Frequently Asked Questions
-**************************
-
- This is the literal inclusion of the Ftape Frequently Asked questions
- collection which is maintained by Johan De Wit and which may be viewed on the web at
- http://www.correct.nl/~ftape. As Linuxdoc SGML doesn't include
- sub-sub-sections into the table of contents, I have prepended the word
- `FAQ' to the sections of the original FAQ document.
-
- `This FAQ collection might be slightly out of data as it was
-collected while version 3.04d of the `ftape' driver was the newest one.
-If any answer given in the FAQ contradicts any other statement of this
-HOWTO, then please disregard the answer in the FAQ and drop me
-() as well as the maintainer of the
-`Ftape-FAQ' (Johan De Wit ) a note'
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Debugging the `ftape' driver, Next: Contributions, Prev: Frequently Asked Questions, Up: Top
-
-Debugging the `ftape' driver
-****************************
-
-* Menu:
-
-* The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?::
-* OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?::
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?, Next: OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?, Up: Debugging the `ftape' driver
-
-The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?
-=================================================================
-
- No, that is a feature `;-)'
-
- Seriously, reliable software do not crash. Especially kernels do not
-or rather `should' not crash. If the kernel crashes upon you when you
-are running `ftape', and you can show that it is `ftape' that is
-messing things up, regard it as a Bug That Should Be Fixed. Mail the
-details to the maintainer (`') and to
-the tape list.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?, Prev: The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?, Up: Debugging the `ftape' driver
-
-OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?
-============================================================
-
- First, make sure you can reproduce the problem. Spurious errors are
-a pain in the ass, since they are just about impossible to hunt down
-`:-/' This is a quick check list:
-
- * Kernel version, and patches applied
-
- * `ftape' version
-
- * tape drive model / manufacturer
-
- * Expansion bus type (EISA, ISA, PCI, or VL-bus)
-
- * What you did to expose the problem
-
- * What went wrong on your system.
-
- * Do not delete the kernel and the `ftape.o' file. I might want you
- run try some patches out or run a different test on your system.
-
- Increase the tracing level to 4 or 5 and run the command that caused
-problems again (don't do it if your fear that you loose data or damage
-your hardware, there is absolutely no warranty for neither data loss
-nor hardware damage caused by `ftape', remember this). Increasing the
-trace level beyond 5 probably doesn't make any sense as it affects the
-timing of the driver in a way that it doesn't work well any more. Get
-the tracing data from the kernel log or `/proc/kmsg', depending on
-where you harvest your error messages. Try to look at what `ftape'
-spews out at you. It may look in-comprehensible to you at first, but
-you can get valuable information from the logfile. Most messages have
-a function name prepended, to make it easier to locate the problem.
-Look through the source, don't just cry "WOLF!", without giving it a
-try. If your version of the kernel (or `ftape' for that matter), is
-"old", when compared to the newest version of the kernel, try to get a
-newer (or even the newest) kernel and see if the problem goes away
-under the new kernel. When you post your problem report, include the
-information about ftape version, kernel version, expansion bus type
-(ISA, VL-bus, PCI or EISA), bus speed, floppy controller, and tape
-drive. State exactly what you did, and what happened on your system.
-Some people have experienced that `ftape' would not run in a PCI based
-box, but ran flawlessly in a normal ISA based 386DX machine (see section
-*Note PCI motherboards and `ftape':: on PCI machines above)
-
- Also, please think of the poor souls who actually `pay' the their
-Internet access (like me): avoid posting a (huge) log from the `ftape'
-run, without reason. Instead, you could describe the problem, and
-offer to send the log to the interested parties.
-
- Send your bug report to `'. You might
-also want to mail the bug to `'.
-
-
-File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Contributions, Prev: Debugging the `ftape' driver, Up: Top
-
-Contributions
-*************
-
- The following is a list of notable folks that have contributed to
-`ftape"s HOWTO document. This is a recent addition added by someone
-coming in midstream. My sincerest apologies if I've inadvertently left
-someone important off the list. You can view anoterh attempt to collect
-such kind of information at Ftape's Hall of Fame
-
- `Johan De Wit' : The maintainer of the Ftape FAQ.
-
- `Kevin Johnson' : The previous maintainer of the
-`Ftape-HOWTO'
-
- `Kai Harrekilde-Petersen' : The previous
-maintainer of `ftape' and the HOWTO.
-
- `Andrew Martin' : Many additions to
-the HOWTO.
-
- `Bas Laarhoven' : The original author of `ftape'.
-
-
+Indirect:
+ftape-howto.info-1: 237
+ftape-howto.info-2: 49910
+ftape-howto.info-3: 99807
Tag Table:
-Node: Top238
-Node: Legalese1890
-Node: Revision History4860
-Node: The preliminaries6358
-Node: Other sources of information6597
-Node: Contacts7749
-Node: What is `ftape'9492
-Node: Getting and installing `ftape'11835
-Node: Getting `ftape'12352
-Node: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions13821
-Node: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier18480
-Node: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels20954
-Node: Following the development of the `ftape' driver22218
-Node: Mixing `ftape' and floppies23219
-Node: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives24024
-Node: Formatting24365
-Node: Can I format my tapes under Linux?24899
-Node: Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?25456
-Node: Retensioning27141
-Node: Drive Cleaning27928
-Node: Repairing de-spooled cartridges28763
-Node: Hardware support29914
-Node: Supported tape drives30278
-Node: Supported special controllers39882
-Node: Colorado FC-10 FC-2040517
-Node: Mountain MACH-240964
-Node: Iomega Tape Accelerator II41217
-Node: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers41719
-Node: Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller42167
-Node: Unsupported tape drives43118
-Node: Using an external tape drive with `ftape'43996
-Node: PCI motherboards and `ftape'45848
-Node: Backing up and restoring data46558
-Node: Writing an archive to a tape47375
-Node: Restoring an archive49451
-Node: Testing the archive50153
-Node: Putting more than one backup on a tape50645
-Node: Appending files to an archive53457
-Node: Mount/unmounting tapes53937
-Node: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape'54316
-Node: Frequently Asked Questions58272
-Node: Debugging the `ftape' driver59262
-Node: The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?59596
-Node: OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?60329
-Node: Contributions63131
+(Indirect)
+Node: Top237
+Node: Legalese2057
+Node: Revision History5027
+Node: The preliminaries6706
+Node: Other sources of information6945
+Node: Contacts8097
+Node: What is `ftape'9840
+Node: Getting and installing `ftape'12183
+Node: Getting `ftape'12700
+Node: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions14169
+Node: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier18828
+Node: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels21302
+Node: Following the development of the `ftape' driver22566
+Node: Mixing `ftape' and floppies23567
+Node: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives24372
+Node: Formatting24713
+Node: Can I format my tapes under Linux?25247
+Node: Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?25804
+Node: Retensioning27489
+Node: Drive Cleaning28276
+Node: Repairing de-spooled cartridges29111
+Node: Hardware support30262
+Node: Supported tape drives30626
+Node: Supported special controllers40341
+Node: Colorado FC-10 FC-2040976
+Node: Mountain MACH-241423
+Node: Iomega Tape Accelerator II41676
+Node: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers42178
+Node: Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller42626
+Node: Unsupported tape drives43577
+Node: Using an external tape drive with `ftape'44455
+Node: PCI motherboards and `ftape'46307
+Node: Backing up and restoring data47017
+Node: Writing an archive to a tape47834
+Node: Restoring an archive49910
+Node: Testing the archive50612
+Node: Putting more than one backup on a tape51104
+Node: Appending files to an archive53916
+Node: Mount/unmounting tapes54396
+Node: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape'54775
+Node: Frequently Asked Questions58731
+Node: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !61273
+Node: What Ftape version should I use?62810
+Node: I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?63407
+Node: I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!64211
+Node: Why does depmod complain about undefined symbols?64968
+Node: insmod says the kernel version is wrong65893
+Node: insmod says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ66869
+Node: Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error modversions.h no such file or directory67407
+Node: What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?68272
+Node: I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run ftmt status command I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0 Invalid argument ). Why?69620
+Node: My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux.71156
+Node: Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors72246
+Node: Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file.73507
+Node: Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape74538
+Node: How do I change the trace-level?75089
+Node: I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?76646
+Node: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !78132
+Node: How fast is Ftape ?80673
+Node: When I write to some of my tapes they seem to spend a lot of time shoe-shining or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?81567
+Node: Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?84795
+Node: Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?85768
+Node: Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?86481
+Node: Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes87065
+Node: Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?88597
+Node: Why does my XYZ backup program complain about Invalid argument errors?89265
+Node: I/O errors and FDC - some explanations.91419
+Node: Why do I get /dev/qft0 No such device errors?93046
+Node: I get device busy when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script.93896
+Node: How do I ... with tar?96586
+Node: What block-size should I use with tar ?97289
+Node: Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?98627
+Node: If I use tapers compression is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape or would it be better to not use tapers compression and let zftape do it?99807
+Node: How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?101124
+Node: I don't trust compression but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?101832
+Node: Ftape says This tape has no 'Linux raw format102447
+Node: Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?103133
+Node: How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?103779
+Node: When I made backups before using taper under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf under the new zftape it does why would this be and what exactly is fsf ?105185
+Node: What exactly is the difference between ftape and zftape?107748
+Node: What is the difference between a rewinding and non rewinding drive?109381
+Node: Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record so I can verify it?110726
+Node: By non-rewinding they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind right? I tried using /dev/zqft0 and it instantly rewinds the tape.112039
+Node: What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?113258
+Node: Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape.114971
+Node: This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.116784
+Node: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !123882
+Node: What are good makers of Travan tapes?124355
+Node: Where can I obtain the QIC standards?126436
+Node: Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?127483
+Node: Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?128639
+Node: Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?129134
+Node: FAQ Miscellaneous !129626
+Node: How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?129962
+Node: How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?130536
+Node: Links to related information.131235
+Node: Debugging the `ftape' driver131529
+Node: The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?131856
+Node: OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?132589
+Node: Contributions135391
End Tag Table
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-1 ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-1
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-1 Thu Jan 1 01:00:00 1970
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-1 Fri Jul 21 11:36:28 2000
@@ -0,0 +1,1277 @@
+This is Info file ftape-howto.info, produced by Makeinfo version 1.68
+from the input file /tmp/sgmltmp.ftape-howto9229.info.2.
+
+ \input texinfo
+START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
+* ftape-howto: (ftape-howto). Ftape-HOWTO
+END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Top, Next: Legalese, Up: (dir)
+
+Ftape-HOWTO
+***********
+
+ Claus-Justus Heine,
+ v3.1, July 2000
+
+ This HOWTO discusses essential do's and dont's for the `ftape'
+floppy tape driver under Linux. It focusses on the newest version which
+is `ftape-4.04' at the time of this writing. This HOWTO is to be
+intended as first step help and source of information. The `ftape'
+driver interfaces to QIC-40, QIC-80, QIC-3010 and QIC-3020 compatible
+drives, and to the Iomega Ditto 2GB and Ditto Max drives. The QIC-3010
+and QIC-3020 standards are also known as `Travan' (TR-2 and TR-3).
+These drives connect via the floppy disk controller (`FDC') which may
+be either an internal FDC or inside of certain parallel port floppy
+tape drives. Please refer to the section *Note Supported tape drives::
+for further information. `ftape' `does not' cover SCSI or QIC-02 tape
+drives. DAT tape drives usually (always?) connect to a SCSI controller.
+This is but one of the Linux HOWTO documents. You can get an index of
+the HOWTOs from the Linux HOWTO index, while the real HOWTO's can be
+fetched (using `ftp') from `sunsite.unc.edu:pub/Linux/doc/HOWTO' (this
+is the "official" place) or via the World Wide Web from the Linux
+Documentation Project home page.
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Legalese::
+* Revision History::
+* The preliminaries::
+* Getting and installing `ftape'::
+* The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives::
+* Hardware support::
+* Backing up and restoring data::
+* Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape'::
+* Frequently Asked Questions::
+* FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !::
+* FAQ Using Ftape related questions !::
+* FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !::
+* FAQ Miscellaneous !::
+* Debugging the `ftape' driver::
+* Contributions::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Legalese, Next: Revision History, Prev: Top, Up: Top
+
+Legalese
+********
+
+ The Linux ftape-HOWTO may be reproduced and distributed in whole or
+in part, subject to the following conditions:
+
+ Copyright (c) 1993-1996 by Kai Harrekilde-Petersen
+ Email: khp@dolphinics.no
+
+ Copyright (c) 1996-1997 by Kevin Johnson
+ Email: kjj@pobox.com
+
+ Copyright (c) 1998-2000 by Claus-Justus Heine
+ Email: heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
+
+ The Linux ftape-HOWTO is a free document; you may reproduce and/or
+modify it under the terms of version 2 (or, at your option, any later
+version) of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+Software Foundation.
+
+ This HOWTO is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU
+General Public License for more details.
+
+ The author encourages wide distribution of this document for personal
+or commercial use, provided that the above copyright notice remains
+intact and the provisions of the GNU General Public License are adhered
+to. The summary is that you may copy and distribute this document free
+of charge, or for a profit. No explicit permission is required from
+the author for reproduction of this document in any medium, physical or
+electronic.
+
+ Note that derivative works and translations of this document must be
+placed under the GNU General Public License, and the original copyright
+notice must remain intact. If you have contributed new material to
+this document, you must make the source code (e.g., SGML source)
+available for your revisions. Please make revisions and updates
+available directly to the author: Contact heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
+via Internet e-mail. This will allow the author to merge updates and
+provide consistent revisions to the Linux community.
+
+ The author encourages distributors of Linux software in any medium to
+use the HOWTO as an installation and user guide. Given the copyright
+above, you are free to print and distribute copies of this document
+with your software. If doing so, you may wish to include a short
+"installation supplement" for your release, or modify the relevant
+sections of this book to reflect your product.
+
+ The author would like to know of any plans to publish and distribute
+this HOWTO commercially. In this way, we can ensure that you are kept
+up-to-date with new revisions. And, should a new version be right
+around the corner, you might wish to delay your publication of the
+HOWTO until it is available.
+
+ If you are distributing this HOWTO commercially, donations,
+royalties, and/or printed copies are greatly appreciated by the author.
+Contributing in this way shows your support for free software and the
+Linux Documentation Project.
+
+ If you have questions or comments, please contact the author at
+
+ heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Revision History, Next: The preliminaries, Prev: Legalese, Up: Top
+
+Revision History
+****************
+
+`version 3.2 (July, 2000)'
+ * Minor updates for ftape-4.04.
+
+`version 3.1 (July, 2000)'
+ * Minor updates for ftape-4.03.
+
+ * Email and url address changes.
+
+`version 3.0 (August, 1998)'
+ * Additions to list of supported hardware.
+
+ * New section about differences between ftape versions.
+
+ * Pointers to the Ftape-FAQ and the Ftape manual.
+
+ * Updated to ftape-4.02.
+
+ * Additions to the FAQ.
+
+ * Update all URLs.
+
+`version 2.0 (March 15, 1997)'
+ * Updated to ftape v2.11 and v3.xx
+
+ * Lots of updates.
+
+`version 1.9 (September 20, 1996)'
+ * New maintainers of ftape and the HOWTO.
+
+ * A few minor formatting and spelling fixes.
+
+ * Updated for Linux v2.0.
+
+ * Started to integrate some of Andrew Martin's ftape info.
+
+`version 1.8 (May 22, 1996)'
+ * Copyright policy changed to GNU GPL v2
+
+ * The maintainer's email address has changed.
+
+ * Updated to ftape-2.08
+
+ * `ftape' is now a part of the kernel distribution.
+
+`version 1.7.1 (February 13, 1996)'
+ * Updated to ftape-2.06b
+
+`version 1.7 (January 28, 1996)'
+ * Updated to ftape-2.06 and modules-1.3.57
+
+`version 1.6.2 (January 23, 1996)'
+ * Connor TST3200R drive added
+
+ * Updated 2Mbps fdc information.
+
+`version 1.6.1 (January 16, 1996)'
+ * minor corrections
+
+`version 1.6 (January 10, 1996)'
+ * New maintainer of `ftape'
+
+ * updated to v2.05
+
+ * added new drives
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: The preliminaries, Next: Getting and installing `ftape', Prev: Revision History, Up: Top
+
+The preliminaries
+*****************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Other sources of information::
+* Contacts::
+* What is `ftape'::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Other sources of information, Next: Contacts, Up: The preliminaries
+
+Other sources of information
+============================
+
+`ftape version 3'
+ `ftape-3.x' came with a manual of its own, which is contained in
+ the `ftape-3.04d' package available from the usual places. See
+ *Note Getting `ftape':: .
+
+`ftape version 4'
+ `ftape-4.x' also has a documentation package `ftape-doc' which is
+ available from the usual places. It contains the `ftape-howto' as
+ well as the `ftape-manual' which can be viewed online (e.g.) at
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/archives/ftape-4.x/ftape-manual/html/
+
+ This Ftape-HOWTO, however, also focusses on `ftape-4.x' and is
+ meant as an entry point to the available documentation. See *Note
+ Getting `ftape':: .
+
+`ftape-tools'
+ The `ftape-tools' package (including useful utilities for `ftape')
+ comes with its own manual. See *Note Getting `ftape':: .
+
+`Ftape-FAQ'
+ The `Ftape-FAQ' is included wordly in this manual, but more recent
+ versions may be found at http://www.correct.nl/~ftape.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Contacts, Next: What is `ftape', Prev: Other sources of information, Up: The preliminaries
+
+Contacts
+========
+
+ The maintainer of the source for `ftape' is Claus Heine
+. He has a web page at
+http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/.
+
+ If you have a problem or questions about ftape, try posting to the
+`Linux Tape' mailing list `linux-tape@vger.rutger.edu' (see *Note
+Following the development of the `ftape' driver:: below). There also
+used to be a newsgroup that mirrored the mailing list traffic but it
+has vanished some time ago.
+
+ I use `ftape' (it is my sole means of backing up on my linux box :-).
+I hesitate to make recommendations on what hardware to buy. See the
+section *Note Supported tape drives:: and *Note Unsupported tape
+drives:: for a list of supported and unsupported drives.
+
+ You should try to post a summary of your problems and its
+solution(s), after you've got it working, even if you only got it
+partially working. Please also send a copy copy of your solution to the
+Linux Tape mailing list at so that it can
+be added to the HOWTO and/or the FAQ.
+
+ If you receive this as part of a printed distribution or on a CD-ROM,
+please check out the Linux Documentation home page or ftp to
+ftp://sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/doc/HOWTO to see if there exists a
+more recent version. This could potentially save you a lot of trouble.
+
+ If you email me, please include the string `ftape' in the subject
+line. This will help ensure the mail doesn't inadvertently get buried.
+But preferrably you should email to the Linux Tape mailing list at
+ instead of contacting me directly.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What is `ftape', Prev: Contacts, Up: The preliminaries
+
+What is `ftape'
+===============
+
+ `ftape' is a driver program that controls various low-cost tape
+drives that connect to the floppy controller.
+
+ `ftape' is not a backup program as such; it is a device driver,
+which allows you to use the tape drive (just like the SoundBlaster 16
+driver let you use your sound card) through the device files
+`/dev/[n]qft[0-3]'.
+
+ `ftape' was originally written by Bas Laarhoven `',
+with "a little help from his friends" to sort out the ECC (Error
+Correcting Code) stuff. `ftape' is copyrighted by Bas under the GNU
+General Public License, which basically says: "go ahead and share this
+with the world, just don't disallow other people from copying it
+further".
+
+ `ftape' has undergone several changes since then. While the
+Linux-2.0.x kernel series still contains `ftape-2.08' the v2.1.x and
+soon the v2.2.* kernel series come with `ftape-3.x' (hopefully even
+with `ftape-4.04', but this wasn't clear at the time of this writing)
+which differs in some points from the `ftape-2.x' driver. Since
+version `3.00' the `ftape' driver has been maintained by me
+(Claus-Justus Heine); it has been changed and improved in several
+respects and support for new hardware has been added.
+
+ `ftape' is quite stable, and has been that for some time now. It is
+reliable enough for critical backups (but it's always a good idea to
+check your backups, so you won't get a nasty surprise some day).
+
+ `ftape' supports drives that conform to the QIC-117 and one of the
+QIC-80, QIC-40, QIC-3010, and QIC-3020 standards as well as the Iomega
+Ditto 2GB and Ditto Max drives which no longer strictly conform to the
+QIC standards in all respects.
+
+ `ftape' can drive floppy tape drives that connect to the internal FDC
+as well as certain parallel port floppy tape drives.
+
+ `ftape' supports neither QIC-02, IDE (ATAPI), nor SCSI tape drives.
+SCSI drives are accessed as `/dev/[n]st[0-7]' and are supported by the
+kernel through the SCSI drivers. If you look for help on SCSI tape
+drives, you should read the `SCSI-howto'. ATAPI tape drives are
+supported by the kernel since 1.3.46. See section *Note Supported tape
+drives:: and *Note Unsupported tape drives:: for a list of supported
+and unsupported drives.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Getting and installing `ftape', Next: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives, Prev: The preliminaries, Up: Top
+
+Getting and installing `ftape'
+******************************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Getting `ftape'::
+* Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions::
+* Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier::
+* Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels::
+* Following the development of the `ftape' driver::
+* Mixing `ftape' and floppies::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Getting `ftape', Next: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
+
+Getting `ftape'
+===============
+
+ The v2.0.x versions of the kernel include version 2.08 of `ftape' I
+recommend, however, that you grab the latest version of the full source
+code package for `ftape'. It is a newer version, includes files that
+are not included in the kernel v2.0.X distribution, and includes much
+better documentation about how to install `ftape'. The v2.1.x and
+later versions of the kernel include the version 3.04 of `ftape'.
+
+ I recommend that you download the latest stable version of `ftape'
+which is 4.03 at the time of this writing and is available from
+
+ http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/archives.html
+
+ as well as from
+
+ ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/kernel/tapes/.
+
+ You probably should also grab the `ftape-doc' and the `ftape-tools'
+package that are available from the same locations.
+
+ If you still want to use the `ftape-2.08' which is shipped with the
+v2.0.x kernels, then you get a version of the driver which is really
+out of date and doesn't support QIC-3020 tapes at 2Mbps correctly,
+neither does it support the Ditto 2GB drives nor the Ditto Max drives
+nor any kind of parallel port tape drive. The section *Note Supported
+tape drives::
+
+ gives detailed information about which version of the `ftape' driver
+supports which hardware.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions, Next: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier, Prev: Getting `ftape', Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
+
+Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions
+====================================================================
+
+ `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' use the file system interface that was
+implemented for a branch release which was called `zftape'. Actually,
+the module that implements the `VFS' (`Virtual File System') interface
+of `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' still is called `zftape.o' and its
+`C'-sources inside the kernel tree reside in
+`[/usr/src/linux/]drivers/char/ftape/zftape/'.
+
+ `ftape-2.x' (i.e. the version still contained in the v2.0.x kernel)
+uses another file system interface, that was implemented by `ftape's'
+original author Bas Larhoven.
+
+`File Marks'
+ The conceptional difference between `ftape-2.x' and later versions
+ of `ftape' is the way `file marks' are implemented.
+
+ `Floppy tape devices' don't have real file marks.(1) Because the
+ goal of `ftape's' file system interface was from the beginning on
+ to provide an interface that could be used with standard Unix-like
+ tape utilities (i.e. `mt') the developers of `ftape' started to
+ emulate file marks by storing the positions on the tape where a
+ file mark should be located in certain fields of the header
+ segments.(2)
+
+ However, the `QIC' standards already designate a special region to
+ store such information in, the so called `volume table segment'.
+ Since `ftape-3.x' this `volume table segment' is used instead of
+ using unused data fields in the header segment. As a result it is
+ possible to use your tape cartridge with different operating
+ systems in the sense that your Win or DOS backup program will
+ realize that certain regions of the tape cartridge are already
+ occupied with data, and `ftape-3.x' and later will detect the
+ regions used by those DOS and Win programs. However, you can't
+ extract a DOS backup set under Linux or extract a volume written
+ by `ftape' under DOS, safe you write your own software to do that.
+
+`IOCTL interface'
+ There are certain differences in the `IOCTL'(3) interface between
+ `ftape-2.x' and `ftape-3.x' and later. A detailed description can
+ be found in the `ftape-manual' contained in the `ftape-doc'
+ package. See *Note Getting `ftape':: .
+
+`Formatting'
+ Formatting of cartridges is supported with `ftape-3.x' and later
+ `only'. Please get the `ftape-tools' package that contains the
+ `ftformat' program that interfaces to the driver to format
+ cartridges. See *Note Getting `ftape':: . The `ftape-tools'
+ package comes with (more or less) detailed documentation, so the
+ case of formatting cartridges is not dealt with in this document.
+
+`Compression'
+ `ftape-3.x' supported user transparent on-the-fly compression in
+ software. This feature (or `bug') has vanished in `ftape-4.x' as
+ it made further improvements concerning the realiability of backups
+ very very hard. This means, `ftape-4.x' comes without compression
+ support.
+
+ However `de-compression' of compressed archives produced with
+ `ftape-3.x' `is' supported in order not to brake existing backup
+ programs where a user-level filter would not suffice to preserve
+ compatibility. Think, e.g., of `taper' which calls the `MTIOC'
+ ioctls itself instead of relying on the `mt' program to perform
+ tape operations.
+
+ The `ftape-manual' contained in the `ftape-doc' package contains
+much more detailed information about `ftape`s' file system interface as
+well as implementation notes which by far exceed the scope of this
+HOWTO. See *Note Getting `ftape':: for informations about where to
+obtain the manual.
+
+ ---------- Footnotes ----------
+
+ (1) `File marks' are used to distinguish different backup sets if
+you write multiple backup sets to a tape. SCSI and QIC-150 tapes have
+`real' file marks, i.e. between two different backup sets there is a
+region on the tape that is written special data to so that the drive
+logic can detect that marker when the tape is wound with (possibly)
+high speed over those file marks.
+
+ (2) `header segments' refers to a region at the beginning of the
+tape sized two times 29k to hold some important information about the
+tape format and size and some status information.
+
+ (3) This `IO control' interface is used by e.g. `mt' to rewind the
+tape or skip to the next file mark or do any other tape operation.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier, Next: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels, Prev: Differences between `ftape-2.x' `ftape-3.x' and `ftape-4.x' versions, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
+
+Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier
+====================================================
+
+ kernels
+
+ The following section provides some useful information to get you
+going with the installation of v4.x which is `not' shipped with the
+kernel source tree yet but has to be downloaded separately, see the
+section *Note Getting `ftape':: above.
+
+ Once you've downloaded the source code (probably
+`ftape-4.04-tar.gz'), untar it. You can do this by determining what
+directory you want the source code to be located in. I recommend
+`/usr/src/' or `/src'. When the tar file is extracted, it will dump
+everything into a `ftape-4.04' subdirectory, so that you'll end up, in
+the example I've given, with something like `/usr/src/ftape-4.04' or
+`/src/ftape-4.04'.
+
+ `NOTE:' you cannot compile `ftape-4.04' into your v2.0.x kernel.
+Instead, configure your kernel to `not' compile the `ftape' driver and
+follow the installation instructions in the `ftape-4.04' distribution
+and install `ftape-4.04' as a module.
+
+ Read the `README' file. The `README' is required reading. It's the
+top of the tree, so to speak. If there are specific files that the
+`README' tells you to read then read them. It will make the process
+much less complicated.
+
+ Do NOT proceed with compiling the package until you have read the
+appropriate `README' files and the `INSTALL' file.
+
+ Afterwards you need to edit the `MCONFIG' file and configure you
+package according to your hardware. The `MCONFIG' file contains lots of
+explanations so it should be fairly easy to go along with it.
+
+ However, most of the hardware configuration can be done via setting
+parameters during module load time so most parameters specified in the
+file `MCONFIG' simply give the default configuration, but you don't
+need to recompile the driver to change IO addresses or interrupt
+settings. The file `INSTALL' and the file `modules/insert' contain
+examples how to specify the proper module parameters when loading the
+kernel modules, so I won't go into further detail here.
+
+ If you are using a Linux-v1.3.x kernel, you should consider moving to
+v2.0.x. v1.3.x was the development release prior to the production
+release v2.0.x.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels, Next: Following the development of the `ftape' driver, Prev: Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
+
+Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels
+===================================================
+
+ Maybe `ftape-4.04' will be included into the v2.4.x kernel, but
+ this isn't clear at the time of this writing. This HOWTO will be
+ revised appropriately when this has become clear. So long you have to
+ refer to the previous section
+ *Note Installing the driver with v2.0.x v2.2.x and earlier::
+ .
+ this section.
+
+ In case a kernel already includes `ftape-4.x' then you don't need to
+download the `ftape-4.x' kernel driver package.
+
+ If `ftape-4.x' is included in any kernel source tree then
+`ftape-4.x' can be completely configured using the kernel configuration
+menus (either with `make menuconfig' or `make xconfig'. Also, there is
+online help available that documents each parameter setting which I
+won't repeat here.
+
+ The various boot- and loadtime parameter settings are explained in
+the file
+
+ `[/usr/src/linux/]Documentation/ftape.txt'
+
+ in the Linux kernel source tree.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Following the development of the `ftape' driver, Next: Mixing `ftape' and floppies, Prev: Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
+
+Following the development of the `ftape' driver
+===============================================
+
+ If you want to follow the development of the `ftape' driver, you
+should subscribe to the Linux Tape mailing list
+`linux-tape@vger.rutgers.edu'. To do so you need to send an email
+saying "subscribe linux-tape" (`in the body') to
+`majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu'. When you subscribe, you will be sent a
+greeting mail, which will tell you how to submit real mails and how to
+get off the list again. `Store this email in a safe place'. Please.
+
+ Please note that I do not, repeat `DO NOT', have any special powers
+with regard to this mailing list. If you're stuck on the list, don't
+bother to tell me that. I can only shrug and send you my sympathy (but
+that won't get you off the list).
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Mixing `ftape' and floppies, Prev: Following the development of the `ftape' driver, Up: Getting and installing `ftape'
+
+Mixing `ftape' and floppies
+===========================
+
+ If you use your floppy tape drive with the standard FDC then the
+floppy drive and the floppy tape drive cannot run concurrently as they
+share the same hardware, the FDC, and the `floppy' and the `ftape'
+driver do not talk to each other. Thus, if you have mounted a floppy
+and then try to access the tape drive, `ftape' will complain that it
+cannot grab IRQ6 and then die. This is especially a problem when
+designing a emergency disk for use with ftape. This solution is to
+either load the boot/root disk into a ramdisk and then unmount the
+floppy, or have two floppy drive controllers.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives, Next: Hardware support, Prev: Getting and installing `ftape', Up: Top
+
+The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
+********************************************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Formatting::
+* Retensioning::
+* Drive Cleaning::
+* Repairing de-spooled cartridges::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Formatting, Next: Retensioning, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
+
+Formatting
+==========
+
+ Before a tape can be used, it must be formatted. The formatting
+process lays out sector information onto the tape. Other tape
+interfaces don't typically require formatting. The reason floppy tapes
+do is that they need to look like a floppy (kinda gross, but what the
+hey - it works :-).
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Can I format my tapes under Linux?::
+* Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Can I format my tapes under Linux?, Next: Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?, Up: Formatting
+
+Can I format my tapes under Linux?
+----------------------------------
+
+ Yes, you can, if you use `ftape-3.04d' or above. To format a floppy
+tape cartridge you need a user level tool called `ftformat' as well
+which is contained in the `ftape-tools' distribution (see section *Note
+Getting `ftape':: ).
+
+ The `ftape-tools' package comes with its own manual, so I do not need
+to repeat here how to use `ftformat'.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?, Prev: Can I format my tapes under Linux?, Up: Formatting
+
+Which formatting programs can I use under DOS?
+----------------------------------------------
+
+ The following are known to work:
+
+ * Colorado Memory System's software (`tape.exe')
+
+ * Conner Backup Basics v1.1 and all Windows versions
+
+ * Norton Backup
+
+ * QICstream version 2
+
+ * Tallgrass FileSecure v1.52
+
+ * Escom Powerstream 3.0 (`qs3.exe' - QICstream v3?)
+
+ These programs are known to be more or less buggy:
+
+ * Conner Backup Basics 1.0
+
+ * Colorado Windows tape program
+
+ * CP Backup (wastes tape space, but is OK apart from that)
+
+ As a general rule, most software under DOS should work. The Conner
+Backup Basics v1.0 has a parameter off by one (someone could not read
+the QIC-80 specs right!), which is corrected in version 1.1. However,
+`ftape' detects this, and will work around it. Dennis T. Flaherty
+(`') report that Conner C250MQ owners can
+obtain the new v1.1, by calling Conner at 1-800-4Conner (in the US) and
+ask for an upgrade (for a nominal fee for the floppy). The Windows
+versions should work fine. Some versions of Colorado's tape program
+for windows, has an off-by-one error in the number of segments. `ftape'
+also detect and work around that bug.
+
+ Central Point Backup can be used, but it wastes precious tape space
+when it encounters a bad spot on the tape.
+
+ NOTE: If you are running a formatting software under DOS, which is
+not mentioned here, please mail the relevant info to me
+(), so I can update the list.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Retensioning, Next: Drive Cleaning, Prev: Formatting, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
+
+Retensioning
+============
+
+ QIC tapes are particularly sensitive to tape stretch. The reason is
+that floppy tapes are pre-formatted with sector information, whereas
+other tape types have their sync information written as the data is
+written to the tape. If the floppy tape stretches and the sync fields
+get out of sync the result will be read errors. The problem is worse
+with longer tapes.
+
+ It is a good idea to retension new tapes a few times before using
+them and before formatting them. You should also try retensioning the
+tape if you are start getting read errors. It might also be a good idea
+retension the tape before a backup.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Drive Cleaning, Next: Repairing de-spooled cartridges, Prev: Retensioning, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
+
+Drive Cleaning
+==============
+
+ The coating on the tape is an oxide compound. As the tape is dragged
+across the tape head it has a tendency to leave tiny amounts of residue
+on the head. You should periodically use a tape cleaner - following
+the specs for the drive in question. Tape cleaners should be available
+from any distributer of tapes.
+
+ One more additional note about tape cleaning. You might want to
+clean the drive after the first use of a brand new tape. A brand new
+tape will typically leave quite a bit of residue the first time it's
+used.
+
+ Thanks to Neal Friedman for the explanation and suggestion that this
+information be included in the HOWTO.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Repairing de-spooled cartridges, Prev: Drive Cleaning, Up: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives
+
+Repairing de-spooled cartridges
+===============================
+
+ In rare occasions it can happen that the tape drive doesn't detect
+the `EOT' (End Of Tape) markers correctly. These markers are simply
+holes in the tape which are detected by the tape drive with means of a
+little photo-transistor (or the like).
+
+ The manual of your tape drive will probably give you proper hints how
+to clean those EOT detectors.
+
+ However, if the EOT detection fails, then the tape drive despooles
+the cartridge because the tape isn't glued to the wheels, but hold by
+friction only.
+
+ There are detailed instructions how to fix such a despooled tape at
+the Iomega WWW pages at
+
+ http://www.iomega.com/support/techs/ditto/3006.html
+
+ and at the Hewlett Packard WWW pages at
+
+ http://www.hp.com/isgsupport/cms/docs/lpg12020.html
+
+ If the pages shouldn't be in the exact locations as given above, then
+please try to browse a little bit through the web pages of HP or Iomega
+until you find the needed information.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Hardware support, Next: Backing up and restoring data, Prev: The Care and Feeding of Tape and Tape Drives, Up: Top
+
+Hardware support
+****************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Supported tape drives::
+* Supported special controllers::
+* Unsupported tape drives::
+* Using an external tape drive with `ftape'::
+* PCI motherboards and `ftape'::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Supported tape drives, Next: Supported special controllers, Up: Hardware support
+
+Supported tape drives
+=====================
+
+ All drives that are both QIC-117 compatible `and' one of the QIC-40,
+80, 3010, and 3020 standards should work. QIC-WIDE and Travan drives
+are also supported (TR-1 is just QIC-80 with 8mm tapes, while TR-2 and
+TR-3 is a.k.a QIC-3010 and 3020 respectively). Iomega Ditto 2GB and
+Ditto Max drives are supported, too, though they no longer conform to
+the QIC standards in every respect. Some parallel port tape drives are
+supported as well.
+
+ Some of the comments given below about possible problems with certain
+tape drives are very old, and I don't have access to all of the
+hardware, so I couldn't check everything.
+
+ Some of the reports below have been commented by me
+() like this:
+
+ This is a comment.
+
+ Currently, the list of drives that are known to work with `ftape' is:
+
+`Alloy Retriever 250'
+
+`Archive 5580i, XL9250i'
+
+`Colorado DJ-10, DJ-20 (aka: Jumbo 120, Jumbo 250)'
+
+`Colorado 1400'
+ reported a problem doing a 1G
+ backup using taper.
+
+`Colorado Trakker parallel port tape drive'
+ Support added by Jochen Hoenicke
+ .
+
+`HP Colorado T1000'
+ The problem reports are probably totally out-dated. In
+ particular, the `zftape' the people talk about doesn't exist
+ any more, and the `ftape' driver is the very `ftape-2.08'.
+
+ Works with 3M Travan 400M (TR-1) tapes with 120M tapes. Also
+ reported that mt dies, but with backups using tar it works ok.
+ With cpio, ftape is recommended rather than zftape.
+ ()
+
+ Problems have been reported with the drive continually stopping and
+ starting with zftape (<75104.1756@compuserve.com>). This appears
+ to be a problem with the tape going too fast for the computer; the
+ DMA buffers are getting flushed before getting filled again. Newer
+ versions of zftape don't do this any more is a suitably fast backup
+ program or large DMA buffers are used
+ ().
+
+`Conner C250MQ(T)'
+ The 250Q is reported to generate write error and frequent
+ repositioning. (Frank Stuess at Nacamar Data Communications)
+
+ Write errors need not be caused by the tape drive, but also
+ by bad tape cartridges. Frequent repositioning can be caused
+ by bad cartridges, too, but can also be caused by overrun
+ errors which would indicate that the FDC and DMA controller
+ have problems to talk to each other.
+
+`Conner TSM420R, TSM850R'
+ The 400 and 800 models only work with TR-1 tapes.
+
+ I don't know whether it was meant that named drives doesn't
+ work with ordinary 120MB DC-2120 cartridges, or that TR-3
+ tapes can't be read. The tape drives weren't designed for the
+ latter. So what.
+
+`Conner TST3200R'
+ Works with TR-3 tapes at 1Mbps (ie. 1600M capacity only). Wirks
+ with QIC-WIDE 400M tapes (Sony 5122's?) ().
+ Works with TR3, QIC-3010, and QIC-3020 tapes. Comes with a 2MB FDC
+ which the Promise 2300+ 1Mbps controller works
+ ().
+
+ Reported that the floppy disk can no longer read low-density
+ floppies. May have to fiddle with IRQ/ports/dma channels
+ ().
+
+ The TST3200R works well with `ftape'.
+
+`Conner TST800R'
+ The TST800R works with TR-1, Sony QW5122F (210M) and DC2120 tapes.
+
+ Works well with `ftape' since `ftape-2.07' at least. Used it
+ myself until the drive died with a melted transistor.
+ Probably caused by over-heating it previously.
+
+`Conner CTT3200'
+ The CTT3200 is supposedly identical to the Iomega Ditto 3200. It
+ works with the supplied 2Mbps controller, but reported not to work
+ under DOS on some machines. ()
+
+`Conner 1.7G Tapestor (TSM1700R)'
+ Works with QIC-WIDE tapes (). Partially works
+ with QIS-3200. Using the HSC-2 controller, the DMA channel needs
+ to be changed (incremented by 1, channel2?, Modify the Makefile).
+ You then need to modify the ftape Makefile to reflect this change.
+ However, ftape seems to be a bit flaky with this (no version number
+ supplied) (). It may not work at 2Mbps (QIC-3020)
+ with the HSC controller. The tape died with a messages like "dumb
+ tape stop" and has since been unreliable ().
+
+ No recent informations available
+
+`Escom or Archive (Hornet) 31250Q'
+
+`Exabyte EXB-1500'
+ Work with QIC-3010 tapes.
+
+`Exabyte TR-3'
+
+`Irwin 80SX, Insight 80Mb'
+
+`Iomega 250'
+
+`Iomega Ditto Tape Insider 420, 1700'
+
+`Iomega Ditto Tape Insider 3200'
+ This is the unit, that I use. The default jumper settings don't
+ work. Leave the irq and ioport address at the default (6 and
+ 0x370, respectfully), but change the DMA from 3 to 2. (Kevin
+ Johnson ).
+
+ Refer to the file `MCONFIG' of recent `ftape' distributions
+ for other suggestions for ioport, irq and DMA channel.
+
+ May require the having `{0x08882, 80, wake_up_colorado, "Iomega
+ 3200"},' added to `vendors.h' on older versions of `ftape'.
+
+ Problems reported with ftape 2.07 and kernel 1.12.13. With all
+ sorts of combinations of accelerator, etc, the drive may (on some
+ systems) only be accessed once (). Also, after the
+ first access, the next use of the tape says it is write protected
+ (, ).
+
+ There has been one report of a problem where the tape got wound off
+ the end of the spool.
+
+ This may be caused by a dirty EOT sensor, and need not be a
+ real hardware bug (except when it was a bug that dirtied the
+ EOT sensor ...)
+
+ Another problem has been reported with writing archives (with dd)
+ to the tape. It may start fine, but when the driver catches up
+ with dd, it stops the tape and rewinds it to the beginning. Then
+ it starts winding on through the tape ad infinitum. It appears to
+ occur when the driver asks the tape to pause which should cause
+ the tape to move back by 3 segments, but instead is moves back to
+ the beginning of the tape. A bug fix submitted is reported to not
+ solve the problem.
+
+ Should have been fixed somewhere between `ftape-3.00' and
+ `ftape-4.00'. Unluckily, the fast-skipping facilities of all
+ Iomega floppy tape drives are `really' poor. Recent `ftape'
+ versions work around this problem. I suggest getting the
+ latest version of the `ftape' driver when you experience this
+ problem.
+
+`Iomega Ditto 800 Insider'
+ Works with Travan TR1, TR2, or DC2120 tapes
+ ().
+
+`Iomega Ditto 2GB'
+ Support added by Jochen Hoenicke
+ to `ftape-3.xx' and
+ later.
+
+ Can't format cartridges, writing is only possible with special
+ Ditto 2GB cartridges (hardware limitation, not a lacking feature of
+ `ftape'). Nowadays, only so called 3.7GB cartridges are available
+ (roughly 1.9 GB uncomressed). These work as well.
+
+`Iomega Ditto Max'
+
+`Iomega Ditto Max Pro'
+ Supported since `ftape-4.00'. Thanks to Tim Jones
+ .
+
+ Can't format cartridges, writing is only possible with special
+ Ditto Max cartridges (hardware limitation, not a lacking feature
+ of `ftape')
+
+ I wasn't able to get the Ditto Max to work with any other device
+ than `/dev/[n]qft0'. I don't know whether this is a feature of the
+ Ditto Max or the Ditto EZ controller I had plugged the Ditto Max
+ into.
+
+ You don't need to buy a `Ditto Max Pro' to use the 5/10GB
+ cartridges. With `ftape' there is no real difference between the
+ `Ditto Max' and the `Ditto Max Pro'.
+
+`Iomega Ditto 800/3200/2GB/Max/Max Pro Easy (parallel port)'
+ Supported since `ftape-4.00' with the `bpck-fdc' FDC driver.
+
+`Mountain FS8000'
+
+`Reveal TB1400'
+ Reported not to work with kernel 1.3.79 and ftape (no version
+ given) or with kernel 1.2.13 and zftape 1.04
+ ().
+
+ The mentioned `ftape' driver versions are out of date. If you
+ still have such a beast try the more recent versions of the
+ `ftape' driver.
+
+`Summit SE 150, SE 250'
+
+`Tallgrass FS300'
+ If you have a Tallgrass FS300 and an AHA1542B, you need to increase
+ the bus-on / bus-off time of the 1542B. Antti Virjo
+ (`'), says that changing `CMD_BUSON_TIME' to 4 and
+ `CMD_BUSOFF_CMD' to 12 in `linux/drivers/scsi/aha1542.c' will do
+ the trick.
+
+`Teac 800'
+
+`Memorex tape drive backup system'
+
+`Wangtek 3040F, 3080F'
+ You can always check out the newest list of drives that are
+recognised by `ftape', by looking in the file `vendors.h' in the `ftape'
+distribution.
+
+ Although I do not want to endorse one drive type over another, it has
+been reported that the Colorado DJ-20 drive is rather noisy, when
+compared to, say, a Conner C250MQ drive ('tis said that the Colorado is
+5-10 times as noisy as the Conner drive. Since I have neither, I can't
+tell for sure).
+
+ If you have a drive that works fine, but it is not listed here, or
+ if you have corrections to the above information, please send a
+ mail to the HOWTO maintainer (`').
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Supported special controllers, Next: Unsupported tape drives, Prev: Supported tape drives, Up: Hardware support
+
+Supported special controllers
+=============================
+
+ These dedicated high-speed tape controllers are supported by `ftape':
+
+ * Colorado FC-10, FC-20
+
+ * Mountain MACH-2
+
+ * Iomega Tape Accelerator II
+
+ * 2Mbps controllers (using the i82078-1 fdc)
+
+ * Iomega Ditto EZ 4Mbps PnP controller
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Colorado FC-10 FC-20::
+* Mountain MACH-2::
+* Iomega Tape Accelerator II::
+* Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers::
+* Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Colorado FC-10 FC-20, Next: Mountain MACH-2, Up: Supported special controllers
+
+Colorado FC-10 FC-20
+--------------------
+
+ Support for the FC-10 controller has been merged into the `ftape'
+driver in version 1.12. See the `RELEASE-NOTES' and the `Makefile'
+files in the `ftape' distribution. Since of version 2.03 of `ftape',
+the FC-20 controller will work, but only at 1Mbit/sec (check the
+Release notes!).
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Mountain MACH-2, Next: Iomega Tape Accelerator II, Prev: Colorado FC-10 FC-20, Up: Supported special controllers
+
+Mountain MACH-2
+---------------
+
+ The support for the MACH-2 controller was added in `ftape-1.14d'.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Iomega Tape Accelerator II, Next: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers, Prev: Mountain MACH-2, Up: Supported special controllers
+
+Iomega Tape Accelerator II
+--------------------------
+
+ To use the Iomega Tape Accelerator II (`not' to be mistaken as the
+Iomega Ditto Dash!), use `-DMACH2', and set the right settings for I/O
+base, IRQ and DMA. This works (by the empirical testing of Scott
+Bailey ), with at least `ftape-2.02'.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers, Next: Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller, Prev: Iomega Tape Accelerator II, Up: Supported special controllers
+
+Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers
+---------------------------------------------
+
+ The Iomega Ditto Dash, and all other known 2Mbps controllers, use the
+Intel 82078-1 chip, which can run at 2Mbps. This is supported properly
+since `ftape-3.00'.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller, Prev: Iomega Ditto Dash and other 2Mbps controllers, Up: Supported special controllers
+
+Iomega Ditto EZ PnP controller
+------------------------------
+
+ This controller requires the use of e.g. the `isapnptools' package to
+configure it. You may get it from
+
+ http://www.roestock.demon.co.uk/isapnptools/
+
+ The controller will cause too many overrun errors when used at the
+highest possible speed of 4Mbps. Neither Tim Jones
+nor I have been able to find but a
+single system which could run the controller at 4Mbps. 3Mbps seems to
+be fine.
+
+ If you configure the Ditto EZ to use DMA 2 (the DMA channel used by
+the floppy controller) then your floppy drive will no longer work. It
+doesn't help to disable the controllers DMA gate (as is the case with
+other hight speed controllers) so this can't be helped from inside
+`ftape'.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Unsupported tape drives, Next: Using an external tape drive with `ftape', Prev: Supported special controllers, Up: Hardware support
+
+Unsupported tape drives
+=======================
+
+ * Some parallel port floppy tape drives still not work. Others do.
+
+ * Irwin AX250L / Accutrak 250. (not a QIC-80 drive)
+
+ * IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit (identical to the Irwin AX250L
+ drive)
+
+ * COREtape light
+
+ The Irwin AX250L (and the IBM Internal Tape Backup Unit) does not
+work the `ftape'. This is because they only support QIC-117, but not
+the QIC-80 standard (they use Irwin's proprietary "servoe (Rhomat)"
+format). I know nothing about the Rhomat format, nor where to get any
+info on it. Sorry.
+
+ The COREtape light does not accept the initialisation commands, we're
+feeding it. This pretty much leaves the drive unusable.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Using an external tape drive with `ftape', Next: PCI motherboards and `ftape', Prev: Unsupported tape drives, Up: Hardware support
+
+Using an external tape drive with `ftape'
+=========================================
+
+ If you have a floppy controller which has a female DB37 connector on
+the bracket (and some means of delivering power to the drive), you can
+use it with `ftape'. OK, that sentence was not very obvious. Let's try
+it this way: Some FDC's (the very ancient one's), have a DB37 connector
+on the bracket, for connecting to external floppy drives.
+
+ If you make a suitable cable from the DB37 connector (on the FDC) to
+your external tape drive, you can get `ftape' to control your tape
+drive.
+
+ This is because that from a program's view there is no difference
+between the internal and the external connectors. So, from `ftape"s
+point of view, they are identical.
+
+ * Pins 20-37: GROUND
+
+ * 1: +12 Volt (POWER)
+
+ * 2: +12 Volt return (GROUND)
+
+ * 3: +5 Volt return (GROUND)
+
+ * 4: +5 Volt (POWER)
+
+ * 5: 2
+
+ * 6: 8
+
+ * 7: 10
+
+ * 8: 12
+
+ * 9: 14
+
+ * 10: 16
+
+ * 11: 18
+
+ * 12: 20
+
+ * 13: 22
+
+ * 14: 24
+
+ * 15: 26
+
+ * 16: 28
+
+ * 17: 30
+
+ * 18: 32
+
+ * 19: 34
+
+ The power connector is of the "mini" type, sitting on 3.5" floppy
+drives. The idea appears to be that you plug one of the power
+connectors from the PSU to this connector on the board. If you want to
+use just a single cable, you might want to get a 50 wire cable, and use
+multiple wires for the power lines (and ground, for that matter).
+
+ I have received no confirmation from anyone that this works. Let me
+know your results if you try it.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: PCI motherboards and `ftape', Prev: Using an external tape drive with `ftape', Up: Hardware support
+
+PCI motherboards and `ftape'
+============================
+
+ Unfortunately, some PCI motherboards cause problems when running
+`ftape'. Some people have experienced that `ftape' would not run in a
+PCI based box, but ran flawlessly in a normal ISA based 386DX machine.
+If you have such a problem, please read the `README.PCI' file in the
+`ftape' distribution.
+
+ A floppy disk controller needs the ISA bus DMA controller for its
+ memory transfers. Seemingly the ISA DMA controller doesn't get
+ control over the memory bus often enough on some PCI based systems.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Backing up and restoring data, Next: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape', Prev: Hardware support, Up: Top
+
+Backing up and restoring data
+*****************************
+
+ This section describes some simple uses of `tar' and `mt'. Other
+examples can be found in the `ftape-manual' of the `ftape-doc' package.
+The `ftape-tools' contains some simple automated `DejaGnu'(1)
+test-suites. See section *Note Getting `ftape':: for informations
+about where to download those additional packages from.
+
+* Menu:
+
+* Writing an archive to a tape::
+* Restoring an archive::
+* Testing the archive::
+* Putting more than one backup on a tape::
+* Appending files to an archive::
+* Mount/unmounting tapes::
+
+ ---------- Footnotes ----------
+
+ (1) Package for writing automated tests.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Writing an archive to a tape, Next: Restoring an archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
+
+Writing an archive to a tape
+============================
+
+ You can use "tar", "dd", "cpio", and "afio". You will need to use
+"mt" to get the full potential of your tapes and the `ftape' driver.
+For a start I'd recommend using "tar", as it can archive lots of
+directories and let you pick out separate files from an archive.
+`cpio' creates smaller archives and is more generally more flexible
+than `tar', but is missing some features like volume labels. "afio"
+creates backups where each file is compressed individually and then
+concatenated. This will allow you to access the files "after" the
+point of the error. If you use `gzip'ped `tar' files, all data after
+the point of the error is lost! (to me, this is a pretty good reason
+for NOT using compression on backups). The choice of which is most
+appropriate depends on the situation and the features and malfeatures
+of each of the packages. I recommend taking a look at each package at
+reviewing the options that each provides. It's possible that this
+HOWTO may provide more detail on this subject at some point in the
+future.
+
+ There are more links pointing to backup software at
+http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/ in the `software'
+section of that page.
+
+ To make a backup of your kernel source tree using `tar', do this
+(assuming you have the sources in `/usr/src/linux'):
+
+ # cd /usr/src
+ # tar cf /dev/ftape linux
+
+ This will not compress the files, but gives you a smoother tape run.
+If you want the compression (and you've got `tar' 1.11.2), you just
+include the `-z' flag(*), eg: "tar czf /dev/ftape linux"
+
+ For further instructions on how to use `tar', `dd' and `mt' look at
+the man pages and the texinfo files that comes with the respective
+distributions.
+
+ (*) `tar' assumes that the first argument is options, so the "-" is
+not necessary, i.e. these two commands are the same: "tar xzf
+/dev/ftape" and "tar -xzf /dev/ftape"
+
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-2 ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-2
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-2 Thu Jan 1 01:00:00 1970
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-2 Fri Jul 21 11:36:28 2000
@@ -0,0 +1,1039 @@
+This is Info file ftape-howto.info, produced by Makeinfo version 1.68
+from the input file /tmp/sgmltmp.ftape-howto9229.info.2.
+
+ \input texinfo
+START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
+* ftape-howto: (ftape-howto). Ftape-HOWTO
+END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Restoring an archive, Next: Testing the archive, Prev: Writing an archive to a tape, Up: Backing up and restoring data
+
+Restoring an archive
+====================
+
+ OK, let us restore the backup of the kernel source you made in
+section *Note Writing an archive to a tape:: above. To do this you
+simply say
+
+ tar xf /dev/ftape
+
+ If you used compression, you will have to say
+
+ tar xzf /dev/ftape
+
+ When you use compression, `gzip' will complain about trailing
+garbage after the very end of the archive (and this will lead to a
+`broken pipe' message). This can be safely ignored.
+
+ For the other utilities, please read the man page.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Testing the archive, Next: Putting more than one backup on a tape, Prev: Restoring an archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
+
+Testing the archive
+===================
+
+ tar has an option (`-d') for detecting differences between two
+archives. To test your backup of the kernel source say
+
+ tar df /dev/ftape
+
+ If you do not have the man page for `tar', you are not lost (yet);
+tar has a built-in option list: try "tar -help 2>&1 | less"
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Putting more than one backup on a tape, Next: Appending files to an archive, Prev: Testing the archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
+
+Putting more than one backup on a tape
+======================================
+
+ To put more than one backup on a tape you must have the `mt'
+utility. You will probably have it already, if you got one of the
+mainline distributions (eg. Slackware or Debian).
+
+ Programs like `tar' and `cpio' generate a single Tape ARchive and
+know nothing about multiple files or positioning of a tape, it just
+reads or writes from/to a device. `mt' knows everything about moving
+the tape back and forth, but nothing about reading the data off the
+tape. As you might have guessed, combining `tar' or `cpio' with `mt'
+does the trick.
+
+ By using the `nqft[0-3]' (`nftape') device, you can use "mt" to
+position the tape the correct place ("mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf 2" means
+step over two "file marks", i.e. `tar' files) and then use `tar' or
+`cpio' to read or write the relevant data.
+
+ The most common use of the non-rewinding device is to append another
+backup to an existing tape. Here are the specific steps with a little
+explanation thrown in for good measure.
+
+ * Insert a tape into the drive. On some devices this may cause the
+ tape to be rewound.
+
+ * Issue an End-of-Tape command to the NON-rewinding device.
+
+ mt -f /dev/n???? eof
+
+ The tape should now be positioned at the End-of-Data (`EOD'). The
+ tape won't move unless a program opens the device, closes the
+ rewinding device, removes the device driver from kernel memory
+ (rmmod) or ejects the tape. Using "mt eof" may be faster on QIC
+ tapes.
+
+ * The next tape operation will start at the EOD mark. If you
+ perform a write, it will append a new `file'. If you perform a
+ read it will fail with EOF. The EOD mark on most tape formats is
+ actually two consecutive EOF marks, however, since version 3.xx
+ `ftape ' uses the volume table as specified in the `QIC-113'
+ standard to emulate file marks, thus there aren't two consecutive
+ file marks at EOD. Writing the EOF marks is handled by either the
+ device driver or the hardware when a close() is performed.
+
+ * Here's where you write the actual data to the tape.
+
+ * Here's the important part. `Now rewind the tape'. Both `ftape'
+ caches some information that belongs in the header segments on the
+ tape and update those header segments `only when the tape is
+ rewound'. This caching is necessary because rewinding the tape and
+ updating the header segments takes a conspicuous amount of time.
+ The drawback of this caching is that you will lose information if
+ you have written to the tape and not rewound the device.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Appending files to an archive, Next: Mount/unmounting tapes, Prev: Putting more than one backup on a tape, Up: Backing up and restoring data
+
+Appending files to an archive
+=============================
+
+ "Is there a way to extend an archive - put a file on the tape, then
+later, add more to the tape?"
+
+ No. The `tar' documentation will tell you to use "tar -Ar", but it
+does not work. This is a limitation of the current `ftape' driver.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Mount/unmounting tapes, Prev: Appending files to an archive, Up: Backing up and restoring data
+
+Mount/unmounting tapes
+======================
+
+ Since a tape does not have a "filesystem" on it, you do not mount /
+unmount the tape. To backup, you just insert the tape and run your
+"tar" command (or whatever you use to access the tape with).
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape', Next: Frequently Asked Questions, Prev: Backing up and restoring data, Up: Top
+
+Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape'
+*********************************************
+
+ As of the time of this writing (August 1998) I remember that I have read
+ about several emergency disk sets in the `c.o.l.a'
+ (`comp.os.linux.announce') news group since the time this section has
+ been written. Some of those packages actually might produce rather
+ sophisticated emergency boot floppy sets. Please check out yourself. I
+ didn't try to create an emergency boot floppy with recent versions of
+ `ftape'.
+
+ This section was written by Claus Toendering `'.
+
+ Once you are the happy owner of a tape drive and several tapes full
+of backups, you will probably ask yourself this question: "If everything
+goes wrong, and I completely lose my hard disk, how do I restore my
+files from tape?"
+
+ What you need is an emergency floppy disk that contains enough files
+to enable you to boot Linux and restore your hard disk from tape.
+
+ The first thing you should do is to read "The Linux Bootdisk HOWTO"
+written by Graham Chapman . That document tells
+you almost everything you need to know about making an emergency floppy
+boot kit. The paragraphs below contain a few extra pieces of
+information that will make your life a bit easier when you follow
+Graham Chapman's procedures:
+
+ * You don't really need `/etc/init', `/etc/inittab',
+ `/etc/getty', and `/etc/rc.d/*' on your floppy disk. If Linux
+ doesn't find `/etc/init', it will start `/bin/sh' on your console,
+ which is fine for restoring your system. Deleting these files
+ gives you extra space on your floppy, which you will probably need.
+
+ * Find a small version of `/bin/sh'. They are frequently
+ available on the boot floppies that come with a Linux distribution.
+ This again will give you extra space. I'd suggest `ash', which is
+ extremely small (approx 62Kbytes), and yet very `bash' compatible.
+
+ * The `/etc/fstab' you include on your floppy disk should
+ look something like this:
+ /dev/fd0 / minix defaults
+ none /proc proc defaults
+ /dev/hda /mnt ext2 defaults
+
+ Once you have booted from your floppy, give the command:
+ mount -av
+
+ * Make sure your floppy drive is not mounted when you access
+ the streamer tape! Otherwise you may get the following error
+ message:
+ Unable to grab IRQ6 for ftape driver
+
+ This means that you `MUST' load the floppy into a RAMDISK.
+
+ This has the unfortunate consequence that the programs needed to
+ restore the files from the tape can not be located on a separate
+ floppy disk. You have two options here:
+ 1. You place `tar' (or `cpio' or `afio' or whatever
+ other backup program you use) on your root floppy disk.
+ (This is where you'll need all the extra space created in the
+ steps above.)
+
+ 2. Before you start restoring from tape, copy `tar' (or
+ `cpio' or `afio' or whatever) to your hard disk and load it
+ from there.
+
+ * Apart from your backup program, you will probably need
+ `mt' on your root floppy as well.
+
+ * Make sure your ftape device (typically `/dev/nqft0') is
+ present on your boot floppy.
+
+ * Finally: `TRY IT OUT!' Of course, I don't recommend that
+ you destroy your hard disk contents to see if you are able to
+ restore everything. What I do recommend, however, is that you try
+ booting from your emergency disks and make sure that you can at
+ least make a file listing of the contents of your backup tape.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Frequently Asked Questions, Next: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !, Prev: Creating an emergency boot floppy for `ftape', Up: Top
+
+Frequently Asked Questions
+**************************
+
+ This is the literal inclusion of the Ftape Frequently Asked questions
+ collection which is maintained by Johan De Wit and which may be viewed on the web at
+ http://www.correct.nl/~ftape. As Linuxdoc SGML doesn't include
+ sub-sub-sections into the table of contents, I have prepended the word
+ `FAQ' to the sections of the original FAQ document.
+
+ `This FAQ collection might be slightly out of data as it was
+collected while version 3.04d of the `ftape' driver was the newest one.
+If any answer given in the FAQ contradicts any other statement of this
+HOWTO, then please disregard the answer in the FAQ and drop me
+() as well as the maintainer of the
+`Ftape-FAQ' (Johan De Wit ) a note'
+
+ You might encounter references to the following addresses while
+reading this document:
+
+ * The maintainer of the Ftape FAQ :
+
+ Johan De Wit
+
+ * The Ftape maintainer :
+
+ Claus-Justus Heine
+
+ * The Ftape Home Page :
+
+
+
+ * Mirrors of the Ftape Home Page :
+
+ Thanks to Grant R. Guenther
+
+
+
+ Thanks to Jakob Curdes
+
+
+
+ Thanks to Josh Goins
+
+ * The Ftape HOWTO :
+
+
+
+ * The Ftape Mailing List :
+
+
+
+ There is surely quite a lot missing. Please feel free to improve
+this FAQ. The preferred way of doing this is to post to the Ftape
+Mailing List in case you have a question that isn't answered here.
+
+ Also, if you are already reading the list regularly and have the
+impression that some questions occur again and again, feel free to send
+that question and possibly an answer in the format indicated below to
+the maintainer of the `Ftape FAQ' AND to Ftape Mailing List.
+
+ If you make FAQ related postings, then please DON'T FORGET to
+prepend the word "`[FAQ]'" to the subject of your posting. Please don't
+add the word "FAQ" to the subject if you post something that isn't
+related to the FAQ.
+
+ That's all for now.
+
+ Claus-Justus Heine.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !, Next: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !, Prev: Frequently Asked Questions, Up: Top
+
+FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+******************************************************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* What Ftape version should I use?::
+* I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?::
+* I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!::
+* Why does depmod complain about undefined symbols?::
+* insmod says the kernel version is wrong::
+* insmod says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ::
+* Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error modversions.h no such file or directory::
+* What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?::
+* I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run ftmt status command I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0 Invalid argument ). Why?::
+* My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux.::
+* Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors::
+* Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file.::
+* Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape::
+* How do I change the trace-level?::
+* I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What Ftape version should I use?, Next: I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+What Ftape version should I use?
+================================
+
+ Always the latest stable version which is _supposed_ to be available
+from ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/kernel/tapes and
+http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/
+
+ At time of this writing the latest stable version is `ftape-4.02'.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?, Next: I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!, Prev: What Ftape version should I use?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?
+====================================================================================================================
+
+ The default version of `Ftape' included in the 2.0.xx kernel sources
+is 2.08 or 2.09 and is very out of date. Please update the `Ftape
+drivers' to the latest from the Ftape Home Page.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!, Next: Why does depmod complain about undefined symbols?, Prev: I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!
+==========================================================================================
+
+ You need to add `-D__SMP__' to the `KERNEL_OPT' variable in the file
+`MCONFIG'. In newer `ftape' versions you only need to uncomment a
+certain line in the `MCONFIG' file.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Why does depmod complain about undefined symbols?, Next: insmod says the kernel version is wrong, Prev: I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+Why does depmod complain about undefined symbols?
+=================================================
+
+ Ignore the depmod error messages. The problem is that the `Ftape
+modules' have to be compiled without the version checksum feature (i.e.
+`CONFIG_MODVERSIONS') with 2.0.* kernels. This causes no problem, even
+when the modules are used with a kernel that has support for this
+feature; only that `depmod' wrongly complains about undefined symbols.
+Ignore the complaints of `depmod' and try to insert the modules despite
+of these complaints:
+ modprobe zftape
+
+ If this fails, something is wrong.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: insmod says the kernel version is wrong, Next: insmod says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ, Prev: Why does depmod complain about undefined symbols?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+insmod says the kernel version is wrong
+=======================================
+
+ The `insmod' program can check the kernel version against the
+version that `Ftape' was compiled for in two ways: It can directly
+compare the kernel version number recorded in the `Ftape module' against
+the version of the running kernel, or, if both the kernel and `Ftape'
+is compiled with versioned symbols, compare the version of the used
+kernel symbols.
+
+ If you have upgraded your version of GCC to v2.7.0 or later, you must
+recompile the modules utilities with gcc v2.7.x.
+
+ Newer versions of `insmod' allows you to "force" insertion of a
+module into the kernel, even though the version string is incorrect.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: insmod says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ, Next: Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error modversions.h no such file or directory, Prev: insmod says the kernel version is wrong, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+insmod says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ
+==============================================
+
+ Did you remember to apply the `ksyms.c' patch to the kernel? If
+not, read the `README.linux-1.2' file in the source distribution.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error modversions.h no such file or directory, Next: What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?, Prev: insmod says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error modversions.h no such file or directory
+==================================================================================
+
+ The `modversions.h' file is created when the kernel is compiled with
+the configuration item `CONFIG_MODVERSIONS' turned on. With this
+option enabled, the file will be created during the `make dep' step.
+
+ One more handy tip is that a `make mrproper' will remove
+`/usr/include/linux/modversions.h'. You will need to reconfig the
+kernel and do a `make dep' to get the file back.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?, Next: I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run ftmt status command I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0 Invalid argument ). Why?, Prev: Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error modversions.h no such file or directory, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?
+============================================
+
+ When you say `yes' to `CONFIG_MODVERSIONS' during "make config", all
+the symbols exported by the kernel, i.e: the symbols that the loadable
+modules can "see", are augmented to include a checksum across the types
+of the call/return parameters. This allows `insmod' to detect whether
+the definition of a variable or function in the kernel has changed
+since the time when `Ftape' was compiled.
+
+ This ensures a high degree of safety, such that you do not crash the
+kernel because you used an outdated module with your kernel.
+
+ If you enable `CONFIG_MODVERSIONS' in the kernel, make sure you have
+-DMODVERSIONS -include /usr/include/linux/modversions.h uncommented in
+the MODULE_OPT line in the `Ftape' Makefile. Conversely, if you do not
+have CONFIG_MODVERSIONS enabled, make sure you have it commented out.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run ftmt status command I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0 Invalid argument ). Why?, Next: My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux., Prev: What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run ftmt status command I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0 Invalid argument ). Why?
+==============================================================================================================================================================================
+
+ There are (at least) two possible sources of the problem:
+ * All Ftape-3.* versions prior to 3.04 install the modules into
+ /lib/modules/misc
+ instead of
+ /lib/modules/uname -r/misc
+
+ As `modprobe' searches in `/lib/modules/misc/' last there might be
+ an old `ftape.o' module floating around in `/lib/modules/'` uname
+ -r'`/misc' which `modprobe' finds first (`uname -r' stands for the
+ kernel version). Remove the old `ftape.o' module.
+
+ * Your kernel has support for `Ftape' compiled in. Reconfigure your
+ kernel without support for `Ftape' (`CONFIG_FTAPE') and recompile
+ and install it.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux., Next: Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors, Prev: I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run ftmt status command I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0 Invalid argument ). Why?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux.
+============================================================================================================================================================================
+
+ You are probably trying to use the same IRQ and DMA settings as your
+on-board FDC. This does not work in versions of `Ftape' prior to 3.03b.
+Please update the `Ftape Drivers' to the latest from the Ftape Home
+Page.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors, Next: Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file., Prev: My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux., Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors
+====================================
+
+ Sadly to say there are some SVGA cards and Ethernet cards that do not
+decode their addresses correct. This typically happens when the
+`Ftape' buffers are in the range `0x1a0000' to `0x1c0000'. Somehow,
+the DMA write cycles get clobbered and every other byte written gets a
+bad value (`0xff'). These problems are reported to happen with both
+SVGA and Ethernet cards. We know of at least one (bad?) ATI 16bit VGA
+card that caused this.
+
+ The easiest solution is to put the card in an 8bit slot (it is often
+not enough to reconfigure the card to 8bit transfers). Moving the
+`Ftape' buffer away from the VGA range is only a partial solution; All
+DMA buffers used in Linux can have this problem! Let us make this one
+clear: This has nothing to do with the `Ftape' software.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file., Next: Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape, Prev: Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file.
+========================================================
+
+ You should only see this is you are trying to `insmod' the `ftape.o'
+module. Try running `swapout' first. It is provided with the
+standalone `Ftape' source. It doesn't appear in the `Ftape' source
+that's provided with the kernel.
+
+ Here's an example of how you can set your rc.local file to use it.
+
+ # Install the Floppy Tape Driver
+ if [ -f /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o ]; then
+ echo Installing ftape for Linux `uname -r`
+ swapout
+ insmod /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o
+ fi
+
+ Please note that you won't have this type of problem if you compile
+the `Ftape driver' into the kernel.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape, Next: How do I change the trace-level?, Prev: Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file., Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape
+=========================================
+
+ The compile-time options `NO_TRACE' and `NO_TRACE_AT_ALL' in `Ftape'
+control the amount of system logging. Add whichever is appropriate to
+the `FTAPE_OPT' line in the Makefile and recompile.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How do I change the trace-level?, Next: I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?, Prev: Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+How do I change the trace-level?
+================================
+
+ There are three ways you can do this (in order of personal
+preference).
+
+ While we're at it, here are the meanings of the various trace levels.
+
+ * 0 Bugs
+
+ * 1 + Errors
+
+ * 2 + Warnings
+
+ * 3 + Information
+
+ * 4 + More information
+
+ * 5 + Program flow
+
+ * 6 + FDC/DMA info
+
+ * 7 + Data flow
+
+ * 8 + Everything else
+
+ 1. Using insmod to change trace-level
+
+ If you are using the modules mechanism to load the `Ftape' driver,
+ you can specify the tracing level as an option to the insmod
+ command.
+ /sbin/insmod ftape.o tracing=tracing-level>
+
+ 2. Using mt to change trace-level
+
+ The `Ftape' driver has a hack in it that allows the `fsr' option
+ in `mt' to be used to set the tracing level. `zftape' does not
+ have this hack.
+ mt -f /dev/ftape fsr tracing-level>
+
+ The use of the `fsr' command in `mt' is a `hack', and will
+ probably disappear or change with time.
+
+ 3. Recompiling to change trace-level
+
+ The file `tracing.c' contains a line `int tracing = 3;'. Change
+ the 3 to whatever is appropriate and recompile.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?, Prev: How do I change the trace-level?, Up: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !
+
+I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?
+==========================================================================================================================================================
+
+ Check the Ftape Home Page. for an even newer version. Then check
+the FAQ contained in the that package if your problem is listed there.
+Next, try to check if the manual that comes with the `Ftape
+distribution' mentions your problem.
+
+ There is no need to read the entire manual, simply check the
+"Concept Index" if it contains a keyword that might be related to your
+problem, then jump to the proper location in the manual.
+
+ If you are still convinced you've found a bug, then post a general
+question describing the problem to the Linux-Tape Mailing List , but do
+not attach your entire `Ftape' error-log. If we've seen the problem
+before, we'll let you know where the resolution effort stands. If we
+haven't, the Ftape maintainer will most likely request that you send
+him the entire `Ftape' error-log (snipped from your system messages
+file).
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !, Next: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !, Prev: FAQ Compiling and installing Ftape related questions !, Up: Top
+
+FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+***********************************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* How fast is Ftape ?::
+* When I write to some of my tapes they seem to spend a lot of time shoe-shining or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?::
+* Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?::
+* Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?::
+* Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?::
+* Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes::
+* Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?::
+* Why does my XYZ backup program complain about Invalid argument errors?::
+* I/O errors and FDC - some explanations.::
+* Why do I get /dev/qft0 No such device errors?::
+* I get device busy when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script.::
+* How do I ... with tar?::
+* What block-size should I use with tar ?::
+* Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?::
+* If I use tapers compression is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape or would it be better to not use tapers compression and let zftape do it?::
+* How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?::
+* I don't trust compression but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?::
+* Ftape says This tape has no 'Linux raw format::
+* Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?::
+* How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?::
+* When I made backups before using taper under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf under the new zftape it does why would this be and what exactly is fsf ?::
+* What exactly is the difference between ftape and zftape?::
+* What is the difference between a rewinding and non rewinding drive?::
+* Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record so I can verify it?::
+* By non-rewinding they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind right? I tried using /dev/zqft0 and it instantly rewinds the tape.::
+* What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?::
+* Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape.::
+* This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How fast is Ftape ?, Next: When I write to some of my tapes they seem to spend a lot of time shoe-shining or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+How fast is Ftape ?
+===================
+
+ You can achieve quite respectable backup and restore speeds with
+`Ftape': a Colorado DJ-20 and an Adaptec 1542CF controller, has been
+measured at 4.25Mbyte/min sustained data transfer rate (no compression)
+across a 70Mbyte tar archive, while comparing the archive on the tape
+with data on an IDE disk. The speed of `Ftape' is mostly dependent on
+the data transfer rate of your FDC: The AHA1542CF has a "post-1991
+82077" FDC, and it will push 1Mbit/sec at the tape drive. If you have
+an FDC which can only deliver 500Kbit/sec data rates, you will see half
+the transfer rate (well, roughly).
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: When I write to some of my tapes they seem to spend a lot of time shoe-shining or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?, Next: Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?, Prev: How fast is Ftape ?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+When I write to some of my tapes they seem to spend a lot of time shoe-shining or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?
+========================================================================================================================================================
+
+ There has been a few reports of "shoeshining". This is when the
+tape just seems to run back and forth endlessly. This has been seen on
+a Jumbo 250 (74407.3051@compuserve.com) and on an Iomega 250 Ditto
+Insider (tom@opus.cais.com). In the latter case it has been narrowed
+own to using an ELF Linux and running off a SCSI hard disk (connected
+to an Adaptec 1542cf). Please contact me if you have an update to this
+problem.
+
+
+
+ Probably not. If you are backing up a large number of < 2K files,
+you're just going to have to live with it. In this event, the
+repositions are caused by file system access overhead. If you are
+backing up a normal system's files, this may be caused by slop or media
+stretching in the tape cartridge. By simply retensioning the tape, you
+should see this go away. Try
+ ftmt -f /dev/zqft0 reten
+
+ to retension the tape. If retensioning doesn't solve this, and it's
+only happening on certain tapes, it might be wise to replace the tapes
+in question.
+
+
+
+ If you use afio as your backup tool you can set it to write a very
+large number of buffers in one hit by using the -c flag. Make it large
+enough so that you supply enough data for most of a single end-to-end
+pass over the tape. For my system, the following streams quite nicely
+- stopping relatively few times per tape pass on an unloaded system:
+ find /usr/local -xdev -print | afio -o -v -f -b 10240 -c 800 /dev/qft0
+
+ In my case I'm writing 800 x 10240 bytes per tape write, i.e. about
+8MB. haven't experimented that much with these settings - so someone
+might like to establish more optimal ones.
+
+ Presumably other backup utilities could be modified to use a similar
+technique.
+
+
+
+ GNU tar doesn't use buffering in this way. The commercial backup
+program "bru" is able to multi-buffer using shared memory; this works
+only when writing compressed archive with bru (regardless whether you
+use `Ftape's' builtin compression)
+
+ Another way to overcome the problem might be to use more dma buffers
+in the `Ftape kernel driver' like:
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 setdrvbuffer $((6*32786))
+
+ $((6*32786)) should be expanded by your shell when using a Bourne
+compatible one. This has a negative impact on the system's memory pool:
+`Ftape's' dma buffers cannot be used by any other part of the kernel nor
+by any other application. And kernel memory cannot be swapped out. If
+you decide to use this kind of multi-buffering then you should unload
+the driver as soon as it isn't needed any longer.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?, Next: Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?, Prev: When I write to some of my tapes they seem to spend a lot of time shoe-shining or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?
+=====================================================
+
+ Not if you are using the latest version of the `Ftape drivers' from
+the Ftape Home Page.
+
+ To format a QIC-80, TR-1, TR-3, QICWide 3010 or 3020 tape, get the
+latest version of `ftape' and the latest version of the `ftape-tools'
+package (from the same location) and read the documentation of the
+`ftformat' utility which is included in the `ftape-tools' package.
+
+ Do not try to format Ditto 2GB tapes.
+
+ Do not try to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?, Next: Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?, Prev: Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?
+====================================================
+
+ It isn't possible to format `Ditto 2GB' tapes with `Ditto 2GB' tape
+drive, and it isn't possible at all to re-format `Ditto 2GB' tapes in a
+way that they still can be used by a `Ditto 2GB' tape drive.
+
+ This is a hardware limitation of the `Ditto 2GB' tape drive. It
+can't be helped at the software level, i.e. it isn't `ftape's' fault.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?, Next: Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes, Prev: Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?
+===============================================================
+
+ No, the `Ditto Max' can't format tapes.
+
+ This is a hardware limitation of the `Ditto Max (Pro)' tape drive. It
+can't be helped at the software level, i.e. it isn't `ftape's' fault.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes, Next: Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?, Prev: Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes
+=========================================================
+
+ If you look at the difference, you will notice that `Ftape' always
+detects 2784 sectors more than DOS.
+
+ The number that `Ftape' reports is correct (of course `:-)'. Each
+correctly formatted QIC-3020 tape has 2784 sectors at fixed positions
+that are marked in the bad sector map. To quote from the specs:
+
+ Tracks 5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25 and 27 within 4 segments of
+ either EOT or BOT are prone to increased error rates due to hole
+ imprints. Therefore, these regions shall be mapped as bad at
+ format time and entered in the bad sector map by indicating that
+ all sectors within the identified segments are bad.
+
+ This gives 12 tracks * 2 * 4 segments * 29 sectors == 2784 sectors.
+
+ So `Ftape' choose to report the real number of sectors that cannot be
+used on the tape, while DOS gives a more optimistic number giving a
+better indication of tape quality. (`Ftape's' behavior might change in
+the future to detect correct formatting and display the separate
+numbers. It has rather low priority though).
+
+ QIC-3010 are alike QIC-3020 tapes regarding this.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?, Next: Why does my XYZ backup program complain about Invalid argument errors?, Prev: Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?
+=============================================================================
+
+ Yes. The driver merely updates an internal counter when those
+commands are issues. The tape should move to the proper location on
+the next read or write access to the tape drive.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Why does my XYZ backup program complain about Invalid argument errors?, Next: I/O errors and FDC - some explanations., Prev: Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Why does my XYZ backup program complain about Invalid argument errors?
+======================================================================
+
+ `zftape' requires the data to be written in multiples of a fixed
+minimal block size. This is a very usual behavior for a tape device.
+There are three ways to get rid of those errors:
+ * set `Ftape's' block size to the block size used by the backup
+ program. The example below works for "afio":
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 5120
+
+ * If you don't want to use `Ftape's' built in compression you can
+ also use
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 0
+
+ to switch `Ftape' to variable block size mode and be able to write
+ the data in arbitrary portions to the tape (BUT: the builtin
+ compression doesn't work with this setting). When you intend to
+ use "KBackup" then this is the only way to make it work together
+ with `Ftape' (it _may_ work, don't know if it does)
+
+ * tell your backup program about `Ftape's' default block size of 10k
+ (which is also the default of GNU tar). For "afio" you can use the
+ following command line switch:
+ afio -b 10k ...
+
+ You may want to read the section "Tape blocks" of the manual (use its
+"Concept index" to directly jump to that section)
+
+ When using GNU tar's builtin compression with GNU tar versions prior
+to tar-1.12 one needs to run tar with the `-block-compress' switch to
+`re-block' the output to the tape. Otherwise tar will compress the data
+it reads, and write it in arbitrary portions to the tape.
+
+ Example :
+
+ tar -czvf /dev/qft0 --block-compress /etc
+
+ `WARNING:' One shouldn't use tar's builtin compression with large
+backups as it makes the entire data stream one huge compressed block.
+If such archives are corrupted right at the beginning it will be very
+difficult to recover.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I/O errors and FDC - some explanations., Next: Why do I get /dev/qft0 No such device errors?, Prev: Why does my XYZ backup program complain about Invalid argument errors?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+I/O errors and FDC - some explanations.
+=======================================
+
+ When you get next messages, this could be interesting for you !
+
+ * fdc-io.c (ft_handle_perpend) - Your FDC does not support QIC-3020.
+
+ * Cannot write to /dev/qft0: I/O error
+
+ The explanations:
+
+ "FDC" menas "Floppy Disk Controller". The problem is that your
+floppy disk controller must be able to support something that is called
+"perpendicular mode" to be able to read and write QIC-3020/QIC-3010
+cartridges (i.e. TR-3 cartridges). To my knowledge all FDCs that are
+capable of at least 1Mbit/sec data transfer rate also support
+"perpendicular mode" ("perpendicular" refers to the direction of
+magnetization of the ferro-magnetic particles on the tape).
+
+ This means that you need to purchase another FDC. Either look around
+some computer stores and ask for an IO controller cards that is able to
+support 2.88 Mb floppies (which imlies 1Mbit data transfer rate and
+perpendicular mode).
+
+ Or get one of the so called "high speed" controllers that even
+support 2Mbit/sec data transfer rate. Those controllers are based on an
+Intel 82078 FDC. Iomega sells such a card under the name "Ditto Dash". I
+think Exabyte sells their 2Mbit controllers separately, too, whereas
+Seagate ships its TR-3 drives (i.e. the TST-3200) together with such a
+controller.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Why do I get /dev/qft0 No such device errors?, Next: I get device busy when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script., Prev: I/O errors and FDC - some explanations., Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Why do I get /dev/qft0 No such device errors?
+=============================================
+
+ I assume that the following is the problem: The `Ftape' module is
+loaded OK into the kernel:
+ /usr/src/ftape-3.03b-970603# lsmod
+ Module Pages Used by
+ ftape 22 0
+
+ but then this happens:
+ $ ftmt -f /dev/qft0 status
+ ftmt: /dev/qft0: No such device
+
+ Solution You need to load the `zftape.o' module as well. With
+Ftape-3.* the `ftape.o' module doesn't implement the VFS interface.
+This is done by `zftape.o'.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I get device busy when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script., Next: How do I ... with tar?, Prev: Why do I get /dev/qft0 No such device errors?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+I get device busy when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script.
+===========================================================================
+
+ The "device busy" messages can only occur while the `Ftape devices'
+are still held open by some program. As soon as the close() system call
+has completed the busy flag is cleared. May be "bru" or some other
+program has still forked off a child that dies delayed?
+
+ Yes, this will reproduce the problem, it seems:
+ tar -cvvzf /dev/nqft0 --block-compress ; mt rewind
+
+ You can skip the "-block-compress" if using the most recent version
+of GNU tar.
+
+ However, this is not a bug of `Ftape'. It seems that the parent tar
+process exits before its child has closed the tape device. I know,
+however, from hacking the tar code ages ago, that tar properly waits
+for its parent to die.
+
+ However, the busy message simply means that the "busy" variable is
+still held at 1 (zftape/zftape-init.c). And this simply means that
+there still is a process hanging around that holds the tape device open.
+
+ I think I have it (only for the case of tar 'cause I have the source
+code.
+
+ If on uses tar with compression, then it forks a child which will
+become the compressor bei execing "gzip" or whatever. Before the call
+to execlp() the child will fork off a grand child of its parent tar.
+That grandchild will do the actual tape I/O.
+ tar - fork() - write to child tar
+ |
+ child tar - fork() - gzip (will pipe to grand child tar)
+ |
+ grand child tar - open archive.
+
+ Now, parent tar only waits for its child to die. gzip surely doesn't
+wait for the grand child as the gzip is a result of an execlp().
+
+ What I don't know is whether the grand child should be implicitly
+waited for by the parent tar, or if the wait() function also waits for
+grand childs.
+
+ But this seems to be the problem: the parent tar already has exited
+while its grandchild still is busy closing the archive. One hardly will
+notice this problem if the close() happens fast (i.e. regular files,
+block devices, also other tape devices?), but it isn't a bug in
+`Ftape', but either in the backup programs or in the kernel or maybe
+libc exit code.
+
+ Don't know if the considerations above also apply to bru. If there is
+no grandchild and the parent process properly waits for its childs then
+there shouldn't be a problem.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How do I ... with tar?, Next: What block-size should I use with tar ?, Prev: I get device busy when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script., Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+How do I ... with tar?
+======================
+
+ These are really `tar' questions: Please read the `man' page and the
+`info' page. If you have not got it either, try
+ tar --help 2>&1 | less
+
+ If your version of `tar' is v1.11.1 or earlier, consider upgrading
+to v1.11.8 - This version can call `GNU zip' directly (i.e.: it
+supports the `-z' option) and has an elaborate help included. Also, it
+compiles right out of the box on Linux.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What block-size should I use with tar ?, Next: Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?, Prev: How do I ... with tar?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+What block-size should I use with tar ?
+=======================================
+
+ When using compression, and in all general, it can be a benefit to
+specify to `tar', that it should block the output into chunks. Since
+`Ftape' cuts things into 29Kbyte blocks, saying "-b58" should be
+optimum.
+
+ "Why 29Kbyte?", I hear you cry. Well, the QIC-80 standard specifies
+that all data should be protected by an Error Correcting Code (ECC)
+code. The code specified in the QIC-80 standard is known as a
+Reed-Solomon (R-S) code. The R-S code takes 29 data bytes and
+generates 3 parity bytes. To increase the performance of the ECC code,
+the parity bytes are generated across 29 1Kbyte sectors. Thus, `Ftape'
+takes 29Kbytes of data, adds 3Kbytes of ECC parity, and writes 32Kbytes
+to the tape at a time. For this reason, `Ftape' will always read and
+write 32K byte blocks to be able to detect (and correct) data errors.
+
+ If you are curious, and wish to know more, look in the `ecc.c' and
+`ecc.h' files, for an explanation of the code and a reference to a
+textbook on Reed-Solomon codes.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?, Next: If I use tapers compression is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape or would it be better to not use tapers compression and let zftape do it?, Prev: What block-size should I use with tar ?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?
+==================================================================
+
+ All of these tools have been developed by the GNU project, and the
+source (and man page) can be fetched from just-about any ftp site in
+the world (including `ftp.funet.fi', `tsx-11.mit.edu', and
+`sunsite.unc.edu'). In any case they can be fetched from the official
+GNU home site: `prep.ai.mit.edu [18.71.0.38]:/pub/gnu'. The latest
+versions (as of September 12 1996) are:
+
+ cpio: 2.4.2 (cpio-2.4.2.tar.gz)
+ dd: 3.13 (fileutils-3.13.tar.gz)
+ mt: 2.4.2 (cpio-2.4.2.tar.gz)
+ tar: 1.11.8 (tar-1.11.8.tar.gz)
+ gzip: 1.2.4 (gzip-1.2.4.tar.gz)
+
+ They all compile out of the box on Linux `v1.0.4' / `libc v4.5.19' /
+`gcc v2.5.8'.
+
+
+
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-3 ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-3
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-3 Thu Jan 1 01:00:00 1970
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.info-3 Fri Jul 21 11:36:28 2000
@@ -0,0 +1,863 @@
+This is Info file ftape-howto.info, produced by Makeinfo version 1.68
+from the input file /tmp/sgmltmp.ftape-howto9229.info.2.
+
+ \input texinfo
+START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
+* ftape-howto: (ftape-howto). Ftape-HOWTO
+END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: If I use tapers compression is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape or would it be better to not use tapers compression and let zftape do it?, Next: How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?, Prev: Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+If I use tapers compression is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape or would it be better to not use tapers compression and let zftape do it?
+=========================================================================================================================================================
+
+ It is not bad as such to compress data twice (which would be the case
+when using tapers compression together with `zftape's' compression) but
+it doesn't make any sense. You won't gain much further compression, but
+only waste CPU cycles.
+
+ Tapers compression should be quite safe, as taper compresses single
+files; in contrast to `tar -czf ...' which makes the entire data stream
+a large compressed block of data, which is really a bad thing with
+serious backups as a single bad byte at the beginning of the archive
+can make the entire archive unusable, well, it will be at least quite
+difficult to recover.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?, Next: I don't trust compression but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?, Prev: If I use tapers compression is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape or would it be better to not use tapers compression and let zftape do it?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?
+===================================================
+
+ `gzip -9' is better (i.e. one gains higher compression). `zftape's'
+compression is comparable with the Un*x `compress' program, but should
+be faster, and is faster than `gzip'.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: I don't trust compression but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?, Next: Ftape says This tape has no 'Linux raw format, Prev: How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+I don't trust compression but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?
+=============================================================================================
+
+ Use the `zftape interface', but don't load the `zft-compressor
+module'. The device then becomes `/dev/qft0'.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Ftape says This tape has no 'Linux raw format, Next: Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?, Prev: I don't trust compression but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Ftape says This tape has no 'Linux raw format
+=============================================
+
+ You get this complaint if you haven't `erased' your freshly
+formatted tape. This is because `Ftape' expect a "magic header" on the
+tape, to be able that it is allowed to interpret the header segment in
+its own way (eg: file marks). To remove the problem, say mt -f
+/dev/nftape erase
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?, Next: How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?, Prev: Ftape says This tape has no 'Linux raw format, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?
+============================================
+
+ No. The DOS software conforms to the QIC-80 specs about the layout
+of the DOS filesystem, and it should(?) be a small problem to write a
+program that can read/write the DOS format. In fact, I'd bet that
+creating a nice user interface would be a bigger problem.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?, Next: When I made backups before using taper under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf under the new zftape it does why would this be and what exactly is fsf ?, Prev: Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?
+============================================================================
+
+ (EOM is "End Of recorded Media", the position right after all data
+already recorded to the tape)
+
+ One cannot use tape "files" like files on an ordinary file system.
+
+ In principle, a tape doesn't allow anything but appending new data at
+EOM. However, if one positiones just in the middle of the already
+recorded data AND starts writing, then the driver first deletes all
+following files (thus moving the EOM to the actual position) and then
+starts writing.
+
+ Thus, the new EOM after finishing the write process, is then after
+the newly recorded data.
+
+ One of the consequences of the above is, of course, that writing to
+the tape in the middle of the already recorded area, is destructive in
+the sense, that it not only overwrites the "file" the tape is
+positioned at, but also deletes all following files.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: When I made backups before using taper under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf under the new zftape it does why would this be and what exactly is fsf ?, Next: What exactly is the difference between ftape and zftape?, Prev: How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+When I made backups before using taper under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf under the new zftape it does why would this be and what exactly is fsf ?
+==================================================================================================================================================================
+
+ It probably didn't work before because you didn't use a
+ mt -f /dev/rft0 erase
+
+ before writing data to the cartridge. THIS ISN'T necessary any more.
+
+ But, hey, what does `mt fsf'? Tape drives don't store files in the
+sense that you can use cp somefile /dev/my_what_ever_tape or be able to
+mount the tape drive like you could mount a harddisk. You can't do
+nothing with a tape drive but write data to it in a sequential manner.
+
+ As this is quite inconvenient, somebody invented something which is
+known under the name `file mark' or `eof mark' (eof == End Of File).
+Those marks don't separate files that have been backed up to the tape
+device, but only separate blocks of data (whatever data that might be).
+
+ Normally, the kernel tape device drivers take care of writing file
+marks when the tape device is closed, i.e.
+ tar -cf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+ tar -cf /dev/nqft0 /etc
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 rewind
+
+ would result in a backup of all files under `/bin' and `/etc'. When
+the first `tar' finishes, the kernel driver will take care of writing a
+file mark to the tape at the the current tape position, and when the
+second `tar' process has finished, another file mark is written to the
+tape cartridge at that position.
+
+ Now, the sense of those file marks is, that it is possible to skip
+between different archives on the tape more quickly than would be
+possible with reading the data back.
+
+ The commands to do that are:
+`mt fsf'
+ fast skip to the next file mark towards EOT (End Of Tape)
+
+`mt bsf'
+ fast skip to the next file marks towards BOT (Begin Of Tape)
+
+ Thus, to extract the second archive in the example above, one doesn't
+need to read the first archive back, but can proceed as follows:
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 rewind
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+ tar -xvf /dev/nqft0
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What exactly is the difference between ftape and zftape?, Next: What is the difference between a rewinding and non rewinding drive?, Prev: When I made backups before using taper under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf under the new zftape it does why would this be and what exactly is fsf ?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+What exactly is the difference between ftape and zftape?
+========================================================
+
+ When `Ftape' was young there were two versions of the floppy tape
+driver, one of them was called `zftape' because of its built-in
+user-transparent on-the-fly compression. Whether such a thing is a
+feature or a bug ('cause this needn't be done in kernel space) is
+another question. However, the ioctl interface and file mark handling
+provided by `zftape' was much better and had less bugs. And `zftape'
+allows to use floppy tape cartridges with different OS. Well, you can't
+exchange data, but `zftape' won't overwrite volumes created by your
+Windoze program, and vice versa.
+
+ Nowadays, `Ftape' is name of the entire floppy tape driver package
+AND `ftape.o' is the file-name of the kernel module that implements the
+low-level hardware support. `zftape' has ceased to exist as a separate
+package, but the new `Ftape' versions (since ftape-3.00) contain a
+`zftape.o' module that needs to be loaded on top of `ftape.o' (i.e. you
+need to load BOTH modules to be able to access your floppy tape drive)
+and implements the file system interface and the advanced (?) features
+of the previous verions `zftape'.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What is the difference between a rewinding and non rewinding drive?, Next: Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record so I can verify it?, Prev: What exactly is the difference between ftape and zftape?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+What is the difference between a rewinding and non rewinding drive?
+===================================================================
+
+ Well, the rewinding tape devices rewind the tape to BOT (Begin Of
+Tape) when the device is closed, i.e.
+ tar -cvf /dev/qft0 /bin
+
+ will rewind the tape cartridge when the tar job has finished. In
+contrast,
+ tar -cvf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+
+ will NOT rewind the tape cartridge and leave the tape R/W head at its
+current position.
+
+ Rewinding devices should be used when performing a single backup,
+non-rewinding devices can be useful when doing multiple backups as one
+doesn't need to space to EOM (End Of recorded Media) before appending
+another archive.
+
+ Non-rewinding devices MUST be used when sending any of the tape
+motion command to the tape drive, such as
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+
+ , because when the `mt' process finishes then the tape device is
+closed which would result in rewinding the cartridge with the rewinding
+devices.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record so I can verify it?, Next: By non-rewinding they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind right? I tried using /dev/zqft0 and it instantly rewinds the tape., Prev: What is the difference between a rewinding and non rewinding drive?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record so I can verify it?
+============================================================================================================
+
+ Well, it depends. If the tape is still positioned inside the volume
+just written, "mt bsf 1" (or equivalently "mt bsf") will backspace just
+to the beginning of that volume (this is how "tar -verify" works). If
+the tape is already positioned AFTER the filemark that marks the end of
+the last written volume, then you need to issue "mt bsf 2"
+
+ The logic behind this is as follows: "MTBSF count" backspaces over
+count file marks, stops, and then positions on the `EOT' side of the
+last skipped file mark. This means, an "mt bsf 2" will position right
+at the beginning of the previous volume.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: By non-rewinding they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind right? I tried using /dev/zqft0 and it instantly rewinds the tape., Next: What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?, Prev: Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record so I can verify it?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+By non-rewinding they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind right? I tried using /dev/zqft0 and it instantly rewinds the tape.
+======================================================================================================================================================================================================
+
+ You are right: auto-rewind means, the tape is rewound when the tape
+device is closed, non-rewinding means, the tape isn't automatically
+rewound when the tape device is closed (but you can, of course, use the
+tape motion commands BSF/FSF etc. to position the tape head at every
+position you like).
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?, Next: Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape., Prev: By non-rewinding they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind right? I tried using /dev/zqft0 and it instantly rewinds the tape., Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?
+=======================================================================================
+
+ A record is the minimal amount of bytes that will be accepted by the
+tape in one read/write operation (except in "variable block size mode"
+where it just should be the amount of data actually written in a single
+write operation??).
+
+ For `zftape' every read and write access has to be a multiple of a
+fixed block size (fixed, but tunable with `MTSETBLK'). This block size
+is a "tape record" (as mentioned in the GNU mt man page and defaults to
+10kb for `zftape'.
+
+ A "file" (in the sense of the mt man page) is a, well, misleading
+terminus. What is meant is an area of the tape between two file marks.
+This is not a file like a file on the file system, in the sense that it
+could have a name, file access modes, could be moved or copied with cp,
+mv, rm etc.
+
+ Instead, It simply is the area of the tape that was recorded in one
+backup session, its end is marked by a tape file mark, and its
+beginning is delimited by either `BOT' or the file mark of the previous
+tape "file". That tape "files" are the things that can be skipped with
+the `MTBSF/FSF' commands.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape., Next: This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl., Prev: What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?, Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape.
+========================================================
+
+ We try to answer the followong questions :
+ * Is there a good way to erase, as in remove the data or at least
+ the volumes from a tape, without reformating?
+
+ * Can you overwrite the last volume on a tape with making a mess out
+ of it?
+
+ * Can you overwrite the last several volumes without making a mess?
+
+ * Can you delete the last volume?
+
+ If you want to "erase" an entire cartridge, then simply do:
+
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 erase
+
+ This will erase the volume table (i.e. the "file marks").
+
+ Pre-ftape-3.x releases of zftape and ftape used to allow overwriting
+of already existing volumes on a cartridge. I have removed this feature
+as it was reported that it already has caused data-loss with some
+backup programs.
+
+ If you indeed need to remove some volumes on the tape then you should
+use the
+
+ vtblc
+
+ program that comes with the `ftape-tools' package which can be
+down-loaded from the same locations as the `ftape' kernel driver
+package. Please refer to the documentation which is contained in the
+`ftape-tools' package for more information.
+
+ If you simply want to reuse old tapes, then it suffices to do
+
+ mt rewind
+
+ If the tape is at BOT (Begin Of Tape) then every write access to the
+tape will silently erase all file marks and overwrite the data already
+existing on the tape.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl., Prev: Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape., Up: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !
+
+This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+=====================================================================================================
+
+ Here is as little perl/bash script that lists the contents of a
+cartridge using the `zftape' specific "volinfo" ioctl. Hope this shows
+how to handle this kind of stuff.
+
+ What it basically does is the following:
+
+ 1. Rewind the cartridge
+
+ 2. Issue the volinfo command:
+ claus@thales:~$ mt volinfo
+ file number = 1
+ block size = 10240
+ physical space used = 522.0 kilobytes
+ real size of volume = 520.0 kilobytes
+
+ Parse the ouput and place the values in appropriate variables
+
+ 3. Skip to the next volume with "mt fsf"
+
+ 4. Exit if this gives an error (EOD), otherwise "goto 2)"
+
+ `The Perl Script'
+
+
+ #!/usr/bin/perl
+ #
+ # Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+ #
+ # This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ # it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ # the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ # any later version.
+ #
+ # This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ # but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ # MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+ # GNU General Public License for more details.
+ #
+ # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ # along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+ # the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+ #
+ # This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+ # package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+ #
+
+ $version = EOT;
+ listtape-1.0 -- a perl script to list the contents of a floppy tape cartridge
+ under Linux using the zftape driver
+
+ RCS \$Revision: 1.14 $
+ RCS \$Date: 2000/07/12 06:10:36 $
+ EOT
+
+ $tapedev = "/dev/tape";
+ $usage = EOT;
+ Usage: listtape [options ...]
+
+ Mandatory or optional arguments to long options are mandatory or optional
+ for short options too.
+
+ -f, --file=FILE Tape device to use. Default is "/dev/tape".
+ -h, --help Print this help.
+ -? Same as '-h'.
+ --usage Same as '-h'.
+ -V, --version Print version information.
+
+ Author: Claus-Justus Heine heine\@instmath.rwth-aachen.de>
+ EOT
+
+ while ($ARGV[0] =~ /^-/) {
+ $_ = shift;
+ if (/--file/) {$_ = shift; $tapedev = $_; next;}
+ if (/-f/) {$_ = shift; $tapedev = $_; next;}
+ if (/--help/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+ if (/-h/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+ if (/--usage/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+ if (/-\?/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+ if (/--version/) { print $version; exit 0; }
+ if (/-V/) { print $version; exit 0; }
+ die $usage;
+ }
+
+ &open_tape($tapedev, "status");
+ while(FTMT>)
+ {
+ $online = 1 if (/.*online.*/);
+ }
+
+ if (! $online) { die "No cartridge present.\n"; }
+
+ &mtop($tapedev, "rewind");
+
+ printf "%11s%12s%20s%20s\n",
+ "file number", "block size", "volume size", "tape space";
+
+ while (1)
+ {
+ &open_tape($tapedev, "volinfo");
+ while (FTMT>) {
+ if (/^file number\s*=\s*([0-9]*)$/) { $filenumber = $1; }
+ if (/^block size\s*=\s*([0-9]*)$/) { $blocksize = $1; }
+ if (/^physical space used\s*=\s*([[0-9]*.*)/) { $rawsize = $1; }
+ if (/^real size of volume\s*=\s*([[0-9]*.*)/) { $size = $1; }
+ }
+ close(FTMT);
+ if (&mtop($tapedev, "fsf 1") != 0) {
+ &mtop($tapedev,"rewind");
+ print "\nRemaining space: $rawsize\n";
+ print "Tape block size: $blocksize\n";
+ exit 0;
+ }
+ printf "%6d %5d %20s%20s\n",
+ $filenumber, $blocksize, $size, $rawsize;
+ }
+
+ sub mtop
+ {
+ local ($tape, $operation) = @_;
+ local ($exitval);
+ system "ftmt -f $tape $operation > /dev/null 2>&1";
+ }
+
+ sub open_tape
+ {
+ local ($tape, $operation) = @_;
+ local ($command);
+
+ $command = "ftmt -f " . $tape . " " . $operation . " |";
+ open(FTMT, $command) || die "Couldn't open $command -- $!\n";
+ }
+
+ `The Bash Script'
+
+
+ #! /bin/bash
+ #
+ # Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+ #
+ # This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ # it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ # the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ # any later version.
+ #
+ # This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ # but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ # MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+ # GNU General Public License for more details.
+ #
+ # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ # along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+ # the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+ #
+ # This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+ # package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+ #
+
+ #
+ # insert better option parsing here
+ #
+ TAPEDEV=${1-/dev/tape}
+
+ if ! echo $TAPEDEV | grep "/dev/n"
+ then
+ TAPEDEV=/dev/n$(basename $TAPEDEV)
+ fi
+
+ if ! [ -c $TAPEDEV ]
+ then
+ echo $TAPEDEV is not a character device! 1>&2
+ exit 1
+ fi
+
+ if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV rewind
+ then
+ echo Could not rewind $TAPEDEV - no cartridge present? 1>&2
+ exit 1
+ fi
+
+ echo -e "\nContents of $TAPEDEV:\n"
+
+ printf "%11s%12s%20s%20s\n" "file number" "block size" "volume size" "tape space"
+
+ trap "rm -f /tmp/$0.$$" exit
+
+ while true
+ do
+ if ! foo=$(mt -f $TAPEDEV volinfo |cut -f 2 -d =)
+ then
+ echo $TAPEDEV doesn\'t seem to be a floppy tape device 1>&2
+ exit 1
+ fi
+ #
+ # "echo foo | read foo" will not work as the "read foo" is executed in
+ # another shell.
+ #
+ echo $foo > /tmp/$0.$$
+ read file blksz used usedunit size sizeunit /tmp/$0.$$
+ if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV fsf 1 > /dev/null 2>&1
+ then
+ echo -e "\nRemaining space: $used $usedunit"
+ echo -e "Tape block size: $blksz"
+ if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV rewind
+ then
+ echo Rewind of $TAPEDEV failed 1>&2
+ exit 1
+ fi
+ exit 0
+ fi
+ printf "%6d %5d %20s%20s\n"\
+ $file $blksz "$size $sizeunit" "$used $usedunit"
+ done
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !, Next: FAQ Miscellaneous !, Prev: FAQ Using Ftape related questions !, Up: Top
+
+FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !
+****************************************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* What are good makers of Travan tapes?::
+* Where can I obtain the QIC standards?::
+* Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?::
+* Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?::
+* Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: What are good makers of Travan tapes?, Next: Where can I obtain the QIC standards?, Up: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !
+
+What are good makers of Travan tapes?
+=====================================
+
+ I was the UNIX Product Manager at Archive Corp (Prior to the
+Conner/Seagate mess) and we performed extensive tests of tape media for
+compatibility certification, including retentivity, flaking and length
+consistancy. Based on the results of the tests, we selected the best
+of these certified manufacturers' products to private label as our own
+media. Here is the order in which we selected vendors up through 1995
+(when I lost contact with the ATI group):
+
+`QIC'
+ 1. 3M (now known as Imation)
+
+ 2. QMaxell/Sony (tie)
+
+ 3. (BTW - Iomega uses Sony private-labelled media)
+
+`4MM'
+ 1. Fuji
+
+ 2. Maxell/Sony (tie - is this a trend?)
+
+`8MM'
+ 1. Fuji/Exabyte - which we believed to be OEM'd Fuji (tie - so
+ much for trend!)
+
+ 2. Sony
+
+ 3. Maxell
+
+`DLT'
+ 1. Maxell
+
+ 2. Sony
+
+ Otherwise, we had entries in our search from other vendors which were
+generally a private-labelled version of one of the major labels above.
+The exceptions were Verbatim and DIC. Both of these manufacturer's
+media had fall-out rates and length discrepancies that were so high
+that we would not certify them and even warned customers about them
+indicating that we could not offer any sort of guarantee that they
+would get a good backup using the media from these manufacturers.
+
+ In addition, since coming to EST, I've found that Verbatim media is
+still not worth the money saved in purchasing it. We have 11 of their
+TR-Extra and QIC-Extra (QICXL) tapes that were useless after fewer than
+20 passes each.
+
+ While this is my personal opinion, it is based on over 9 years of
+experience with this very question, I strongly recommend Imation/3M
+media for QIC/Travan user, Fuji media 4MM users, Exabyte/Fuji for 8MM
+and DEC labelled media for DLT users.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Where can I obtain the QIC standards?, Next: Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?, Prev: What are good makers of Travan tapes?, Up: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !
+
+Where can I obtain the QIC standards?
+=====================================
+
+ If you wish to help developing `Ftape', or add some utility (e.g. a
+tape formatting program), you will need that appropriate QIC standards.
+The standard(s) to get is: QIC-80, -117, -3010, and 3020. QIC-117
+describes how commands are sent to the tape drive (including timing
+etc), so you would probably never need it. QIC-80/3010/3020 describes
+higher level part, such as tape layout, ECC code, standard filesystem.
+You can get the QIC standards from the following address:
+
+ Quarter Inch Cartridge Drive Standards, Inc.
+ 311 East Carrillo Street
+ Santa Barbara, California 93101
+ Phone: (805) 963-3853
+ Fax: (805) 962-1541
+
+ Note: They are registered as `Freeman Associates, Inc' in the phone
+book.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?, Next: Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?, Prev: Where can I obtain the QIC standards?, Up: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !
+
+Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?
+========================================
+
+ Yes, if you are using version `ftape-3.x' or later of the `Ftape
+drivers' from the Ftape Home Page or from
+ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/kernel/tapes.
+
+
+
+ As the Ditto 2GB is a Tr-3 tape (though it can only store 1GB
+instead of the 1.6GB you get with a regular Tr-3 drive) you need an FDC
+(FDC means: Floppy Disk Controller) that is capable of at 1Mbit/sec
+transfer rate. You don't need to worry about this if you have an
+accellerator card (i.e. the Ditto Dash controller). Otherwise try to
+purchase an FDC that claims to be capable of driving 2.88Mb floppies
+because this implies that the FDC is capable of 1Mbit transfer rate.
+
+ `Ftape' prints the maximum data rate of the FDC to the kernel log
+files like this: ftape-ctl.c (ftape_init_drive) - Highest FDC supported
+data rate: 500 Kbps.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?, Next: Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?, Prev: Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?, Up: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !
+
+Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?
+========================================
+
+ Yes, if you are using version `ftape-4.02' or later of the `Ftape
+drivers' from the Ftape Home Page or from
+ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/kernel/tapes.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?, Prev: Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?, Up: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !
+
+Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?
+============================================
+
+ Yes. But if you want to use the 5GB (10GB with compression)
+cartridges you don't need it. With `ftape' there doesn't seem to be any
+difference between the `Ditto Max' and the `Ditto Max Pro'.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: FAQ Miscellaneous !, Next: Debugging the `ftape' driver, Prev: FAQ Tape and Drivers related questions !, Up: Top
+
+FAQ Miscellaneous !
+*******************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?::
+* How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?::
+* Links to related information.::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?, Next: How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?, Up: FAQ Miscellaneous !
+
+How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?
+===========================================
+
+ You can subscribe to that list by sending mail to
+ majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu
+
+ with the single line
+ subscribe linux-tape
+
+ in its body. Please store the answer you get from majordomo in a
+safe place because it contains instructions how to `UNSUBSCRIBE' from
+the mailing list.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?, Next: Links to related information., Prev: How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?, Up: FAQ Miscellaneous !
+
+How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?
+================================================
+
+ Send mail to
+ majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu
+
+ with the single line
+ unsubscribe linux-tape MY@EMAIL.ADDRESS
+
+ where `MY@EMAIL.ADDRESS' has to be replaced by the the email address
+that you used when subscribing to the list. Note that you must have
+received an email with instructions how to unsubscribe from the mailing
+list at the time you subscribed to it.
+
+
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Links to related information., Prev: How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?, Up: FAQ Miscellaneous !
+
+Links to related information.
+=============================
+
+
+
+ More links wanted !!!
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Debugging the `ftape' driver, Next: Contributions, Prev: FAQ Miscellaneous !, Up: Top
+
+Debugging the `ftape' driver
+****************************
+
+* Menu:
+
+* The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?::
+* OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?::
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?, Next: OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?, Up: Debugging the `ftape' driver
+
+The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?
+=================================================================
+
+ No, that is a feature `;-)'
+
+ Seriously, reliable software do not crash. Especially kernels do not
+or rather `should' not crash. If the kernel crashes upon you when you
+are running `ftape', and you can show that it is `ftape' that is
+messing things up, regard it as a Bug That Should Be Fixed. Mail the
+details to the maintainer (`') and to
+the tape list.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?, Prev: The kernel/`ftape' crashes on me when I do `...' - is that a bug?, Up: Debugging the `ftape' driver
+
+OK it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?
+============================================================
+
+ First, make sure you can reproduce the problem. Spurious errors are
+a pain in the ass, since they are just about impossible to hunt down
+`:-/' This is a quick check list:
+
+ * Kernel version, and patches applied
+
+ * `ftape' version
+
+ * tape drive model / manufacturer
+
+ * Expansion bus type (EISA, ISA, PCI, or VL-bus)
+
+ * What you did to expose the problem
+
+ * What went wrong on your system.
+
+ * Do not delete the kernel and the `ftape.o' file. I might want you
+ run try some patches out or run a different test on your system.
+
+ Increase the tracing level to 4 or 5 and run the command that caused
+problems again (don't do it if your fear that you loose data or damage
+your hardware, there is absolutely no warranty for neither data loss
+nor hardware damage caused by `ftape', remember this). Increasing the
+trace level beyond 5 probably doesn't make any sense as it affects the
+timing of the driver in a way that it doesn't work well any more. Get
+the tracing data from the kernel log or `/proc/kmsg', depending on
+where you harvest your error messages. Try to look at what `ftape'
+spews out at you. It may look in-comprehensible to you at first, but
+you can get valuable information from the logfile. Most messages have
+a function name prepended, to make it easier to locate the problem.
+Look through the source, don't just cry "WOLF!", without giving it a
+try. If your version of the kernel (or `ftape' for that matter), is
+"old", when compared to the newest version of the kernel, try to get a
+newer (or even the newest) kernel and see if the problem goes away
+under the new kernel. When you post your problem report, include the
+information about ftape version, kernel version, expansion bus type
+(ISA, VL-bus, PCI or EISA), bus speed, floppy controller, and tape
+drive. State exactly what you did, and what happened on your system.
+Some people have experienced that `ftape' would not run in a PCI based
+box, but ran flawlessly in a normal ISA based 386DX machine (see section
+*Note PCI motherboards and `ftape':: on PCI machines above)
+
+ Also, please think of the poor souls who actually `pay' the their
+Internet access (like me): avoid posting a (huge) log from the `ftape'
+run, without reason. Instead, you could describe the problem, and
+offer to send the log to the interested parties.
+
+ Send your bug report to `'. You might
+also want to mail the bug to `'.
+
+
+File: ftape-howto.info, Node: Contributions, Prev: Debugging the `ftape' driver, Up: Top
+
+Contributions
+*************
+
+ The following is a list of notable folks that have contributed to
+`ftape"s HOWTO document. This is a recent addition added by someone
+coming in midstream. My sincerest apologies if I've inadvertently left
+someone important off the list. You can view anoterh attempt to collect
+such kind of information at Ftape's Hall of Fame
+
+ `Johan De Wit' : The maintainer of the Ftape FAQ.
+
+ `Kevin Johnson' : The previous maintainer of the
+`Ftape-HOWTO'
+
+ `Kai Harrekilde-Petersen' : The previous
+maintainer of `ftape' and the HOWTO.
+
+ `Andrew Martin' : Many additions to
+the HOWTO.
+
+ `Bas Laarhoven' : The original author of `ftape'.
+
+
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.sgml ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.sgml
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.sgml Sun Jun 25 17:53:29 2000
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.sgml Fri Jul 21 11:29:47 2000
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@
Ftape-HOWTO
Claus-Justus Heine,
-v3.0, June 2000
+v3.1, July 2000
This HOWTO discusses essential do's and dont's for the Revision History
+version 3.2 (July, 2000)
+
+ Minor updates for ftape-4.04.
+
+version 3.1 (July, 2000)
+
+ Minor updates for ftape-4.03.
+ Email and url address changes.
+ version 3.0 (August, 1998) Additions to list of supported hardware.
New section about differences between ftape versions.
Pointers to the Ftape-FAQ and the Ftape manual.
- Updated to ftape-4.03.
+ Updated to ftape-4.02.
Additions to the FAQ.
Update all URLs.
@@ -267,7 +276,7 @@
above.
Once you've downloaded the source code (probably
-/usr/src/ or ~/src. When the tar file is extracted,
-it will dump everything into a /usr/src/ftape-4.03 or ~/src/ftape-4.03.
+/usr/src/ftape-4.04 or ~/src/ftape-4.04.
-Installing the driver with v2.4.x and later kernels
-Maybe
+You might encounter references to the following addresses while reading
+this document:
+
+
+The maintainer of the Ftape FAQ :
+
+
+The Ftape maintainer :
+
+
+The Ftape Home Page :
+
+
+
+Mirrors of the Ftape Home Page :
+
+
+
+Thanks to
+
+
+
+Thanks to
+
+
+
+Thanks to
+
+The Ftape HOWTO :
+
+
+
+The Ftape Mailing List :
+
+
+
+
+There is surely quite a lot missing. Please feel free to improve this FAQ.
+The preferred way of doing this is to post to the
+
+in case you have a question that isn't answered here.
+
+Also, if you are already reading the list regularly and have the impression
+that some questions occur again and again, feel free to send that question
+and possibly an answer in the format indicated below to the
+
+of the .
+
+If you make FAQ related postings, then please DON'T FORGET to prepend the
+word ".
+"FAQ: Compiling and installing Ftape" related questions !
+
+What Ftape version should I use?
+
+Always the latest stable version which is _supposed_ to be available from
+
+and
+
+
+At time of this writing the latest stable version is I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?
+
+The default version of .
+
+<answer from Tim Jones>
+I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!
+
+You need to add Why does depmod complain about "undefined symbols"?
+
+Ignore the depmod error messages. The problem is that the
+modprobe zftape
+
+If this fails, something is wrong.
+
+<answer from Claus Heine>
+
+"insmod" says the kernel version is wrong
+
+The "insmod" says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ
+
+Did you remember to apply the Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error "modversions.h: no such file or directory"
+
+The /usr/include/linux/modversions.h. You will need to reconfig
+the kernel and do a What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?
+
+When you say `yes' to
+-DMODVERSIONS -include /usr/include/linux/modversions.h
+
+uncommented in the MODULE_OPT line in the I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run "ftmt status" command, I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0: Invalid argument ). Why?
+
+There are (at least) two possible sources of the problem:
+
+
+All Ftape-3.* versions prior to 3.04 install the modules into
+
+/lib/modules/misc
+instead of
+/lib/modules/uname -r/misc
+
+As /lib/modules/misc/ last there might be
+an old /lib/modules/
+uname -r/misc which
+Your kernel has support for
+
+<answer from Claus Heins>
+
+My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows, but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux.
+
+You are probably trying to use the same IRQ and DMA settings as your on-board
+FDC. This does not work in versions of .
+
+<answer from Tim Jones>
+
+Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors
+
+Sadly to say there are some SVGA cards and Ethernet cards that do not
+decode their addresses correct. This typically happens when the
+Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file.
+
+You should only see this is you are trying to
+
+# Install the Floppy Tape Driver
+if [ -f /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o ]; then
+ echo Installing ftape for Linux `uname -r`
+ swapout
+ insmod /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o
+fi
+
+
+
+Please note that you won't have this type of problem if you compile
+the Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape
+
+The compile-time options How do I change the trace-level?
+
+There are three ways you can do this (in order of personal
+preference).
+
+While we're at it, here are the meanings of the various trace levels.
+
+
+0 Bugs
+1 + Errors
+2 + Warnings
+3 + Information
+4 + More information
+5 + Program flow
+6 + FDC/DMA info
+7 + Data flow
+8 + Everything else
+
+
+
+
+Using insmod to change trace-level
+
+If you are using the modules mechanism to load the
+ /sbin/insmod ftape.o tracing=
+
+
+Using mt to change trace-level
+
+The
+ mt -f /dev/ftape fsr
+
+The use of the hack,
+and will probably disappear or change with time.
+
+Recompiling to change trace-level
+
+The file
+
+<From the Ftape-Howto>
+
+I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?
+
+Check the
+.
+for an even newer version. Then check the FAQ contained in the that package
+if your problem is listed there. Next, try to check if the manual that comes
+with the
+, but do not attach your entire
+ will most likely request that you send him the entire FAQ: "Using Ftape" related questions !
+
+How fast is Ftape ?
+
+You can achieve quite respectable backup and restore speeds with
+When I write to some of my tapes, they seem to spend a lot of time "shoe-shining," or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?
+
+There has been a few reports of "shoeshining". This is when the tape just
+seems to run back and forth endlessly. This has been seen on a Jumbo
+250 (74407.3051@compuserve.com) and on an Iomega 250 Ditto Insider
+(tom@opus.cais.com). In the latter case it has been narrowed own to
+using an ELF Linux and running off a SCSI hard disk (connected to an
+Adaptec 1542cf). Please contact me if you have an update to this
+problem.
+
+<from the Ftape-Howto>
+
+Probably not. If you are backing up a large number of < 2K files, you're
+just going to have to live with it. In this event, the repositions are caused
+by file system access overhead. If you are backing up a normal system's files,
+this may be caused by slop or media stretching in the tape cartridge. By
+simply retensioning the tape, you should see this go away. Try
+
+ftmt -f /dev/zqft0 reten
+
+to retension the tape. If retensioning doesn't solve this, and it's only
+happening on certain tapes, it might be wise to replace the tapes in question.
+
+<answer from Tim Jones>
+
+If you use afio as your backup tool you can set it to write a very large
+number of buffers in one hit by using the -c flag. Make it large enough so
+that you supply enough data for most of a single end-to-end pass over the tape.
+For my system, the following streams quite nicely - stopping relatively few
+times per tape pass on an unloaded system:
+
+find /usr/local -xdev -print | afio -o -v -f -b 10240 -c 800 /dev/qft0
+
+In my case I'm writing 800 x 10240 bytes per tape write, i.e. about 8MB.
+haven't experimented that much with these settings - so someone might like
+to establish more optimal ones.
+
+Presumably other backup utilities could be modified to use a similar technique.
+
+<answer by Michael Hamilton>
+
+GNU tar doesn't use buffering in this way. The commercial backup program
+"bru" is able to multi-buffer using shared memory; this works only when
+writing compressed archive with bru (regardless whether you use
+mt -f /dev/qft0 setdrvbuffer $((6*32786))
+
+$((6*32786)) should be expanded by your shell when using a Bourne
+compatible one. This has a negative impact on the system's memory pool:
+Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?
+
+Not if you are using the latest version of the .
+
+To format a QIC-80, TR-1, TR-3, QICWide 3010 or 3020 tape, get the
+latest version of
+Do not try to format Ditto 2GB tapes.
+>
+
+Do not try to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes.
+>
+
+<answers from Tim Jones and Claus Heine>
+
+Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?
+
+It isn't possible to format Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?
+
+No, the Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes
+
+If you look at the difference, you will notice that
+Tracks 5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25 and 27 within 4 segments of
+either EOT or BOT are prone to increased error rates due to hole
+imprints. Therefore, these regions shall be mapped as bad at format
+time and entered in the bad sector map by indicating that all sectors
+within the identified segments are bad.
+
+
+This gives 12 tracks * 2 * 4 segments * 29 sectors == 2784 sectors.
+
+So Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?
+
+Yes. The driver merely updates an internal counter when those
+commands are issues. The tape should move to the proper location on
+the next read or write access to the tape drive.
+
+<from the Ftape-Howto>
+
+Why does my XYZ backup program complain about "Invalid argument" errors?
+
+
+
+set
+mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 5120
+
+
+If you don't want to use
+mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 0
+
+to switch
+tell your backup program about
+afio -b 10k ...
+
+
+
+You may want to read the section "Tape blocks" of the manual (use its
+"Concept index" to directly jump to that section)
+
+When using GNU tar's builtin compression with GNU tar versions prior to
+tar-1.12 one needs to run tar with the --block-compress switch to
+re-block the output to the tape. Otherwise tar will compress the data
+it reads, and write it in arbitrary portions to the tape.
+
+
+
+Example :
+
+tar -czvf /dev/qft0 --block-compress /etc
+
+
+
+I/O errors and FDC - some explanations.
+
+When you get next messages, this could be interesting for you !
+
+
+
+fdc-io.c (ft_handle_perpend) - Your FDC does not support QIC-3020.
+
+Cannot write to /dev/qft0: I/O error
+
+
+The explanations:
+
+"FDC" menas "Floppy Disk Controller". The
+problem is that your floppy disk controller must be able to support
+something that is called "perpendicular mode" to be able to read and
+write QIC-3020/QIC-3010 cartridges (i.e. TR-3 cartridges). To my
+knowledge all FDCs that are capable of at least 1Mbit/sec data
+transfer rate also support "perpendicular mode" ("perpendicular"
+refers to the direction of magnetization of the ferro-magnetic
+particles on the tape).
+
+This means that you need to purchase another FDC. Either look around
+some computer stores and ask for an IO controller cards that is able
+to support 2.88 Mb floppies (which imlies 1Mbit data transfer rate and
+perpendicular mode).
+
+Or get one of the so called "high speed" controllers that even support
+2Mbit/sec data transfer rate. Those controllers are based on an Intel
+82078 FDC. Iomega sells such a card under the name "Ditto Dash". I
+think Exabyte sells their 2Mbit controllers separately, too, whereas
+Seagate ships its TR-3 drives (i.e. the TST-3200) together with such a
+controller.
+
+
+<answer from Claus Heine>
+
+Why do I get "/dev/qft0: No such device" errors?
+
+I assume that the following is the problem:
+The
+/usr/src/ftape-3.03b-970603# lsmod
+ Module Pages Used by
+ ftape 22 0
+
+but then this happens:
+
+$ ftmt -f /dev/qft0 status
+ftmt: /dev/qft0: No such device
+
+
+Solution
+You need to load the I get "device busy" when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script.
+
+The "device busy" messages can only occur while the
+tar -cvvzf /dev/nqft0 --block-compress ; mt rewind
+
+You can skip the "--block-compress" if using the most recent version
+of GNU tar.
+
+However, this is not a bug of
+tar - fork() - write to child tar
+ |
+ child tar - fork() - gzip (will pipe to grand child tar)
+ |
+ grand child tar - open archive.
+
+
+Now, parent tar only waits for its child to die. gzip surely doesn't
+wait for the grand child as the gzip is a result of an execlp().
+
+What I don't know is whether the grand child should be implicitly
+waited for by the parent tar, or if the wait() function also waits for
+grand childs.
+
+But this seems to be the problem: the parent tar already has exited
+while its grandchild still is busy closing the archive. One hardly
+will notice this problem if the close() happens fast (i.e. regular
+files, block devices, also other tape devices?), but it isn't a bug in
+How do I "..." with tar?
+
+These are really
+tar --help 2>&1 | less
+
+
+If your version of What block-size should I use with tar ?
+
+When using compression, and in all general, it can be a benefit to
+specify to Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?
+
+All of these tools have been developed by the GNU project, and the
+source (and man page) can be fetched from just-about any ftp site in
+the world (including prep.ai.mit.edu
+[18.71.0.38]:/pub/gnu. The latest versions (as of September 12
+1996) are:
+
+
+cpio: 2.4.2 (cpio-2.4.2.tar.gz)
+dd: 3.13 (fileutils-3.13.tar.gz)
+mt: 2.4.2 (cpio-2.4.2.tar.gz)
+tar: 1.11.8 (tar-1.11.8.tar.gz)
+gzip: 1.2.4 (gzip-1.2.4.tar.gz)
+
+
+They all compile out of the box on Linux If I use tapers compression, is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape, or would it be better to not use tapers compression, and let zftape do it?
+
+It is not bad as such to compress data twice (which would be the case
+when using tapers compression together with How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?
+
+I don't trust compression, but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?
+
+Use the /dev/qft0
.
+
+<answer from Tim Jones>
+
+Ftape says "This tape has no 'Linux raw format"
+
+You get this complaint if you haven't erased your freshly
+formatted tape. This is because
+mt -f /dev/nftape erase
+
+
+<from the Ftape-Howto>
+
+Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?
+
+No. The DOS software conforms to the QIC-80 specs about the layout of
+the DOS filesystem, and it should(?) be a small problem to write a
+program that can read/write the DOS format. In fact, I'd bet that
+creating a nice user interface would be a bigger problem.
+
+<From the Ftape-Howto>
+
+How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?
+
+(EOM is "End Of recorded Media", the position right after all data
+already recorded to the tape)
+
+One cannot use tape "files" like files on an ordinary file system.
+
+In principle, a tape doesn't allow anything but appending new data at
+EOM. However, if one positiones just in the middle of the already
+recorded data AND starts writing, then the driver first deletes all
+following files (thus moving the EOM to the actual position) and then
+starts writing.
+
+Thus, the new EOM after finishing the write process, is then after the
+newly recorded data.
+
+One of the consequences of the above is, of course, that writing to
+the tape in the middle of the already recorded area, is destructive in
+the sense, that it not only overwrites the "file" the tape is
+positioned at, but also deletes all following files.
+
+<from the Ftape-Howto>
+<Answer from Claus Heine>
+
+When I made backups before using taper, under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf, under the new zftape it does, why would this be, and what exactly is fsf ?
+
+It probably didn't work before because you didn't use a
+
+mt -f /dev/rft0 erase
+
+before writing data to the cartridge. THIS ISN'T necessary any more.
+
+But, hey, what does cp somefile /dev/my_what_ever_tape
+or be able to mount the tape drive like you could mount a harddisk.
+You can't do nothing with a tape drive but write data to it in a sequential
+manner.
+
+As this is quite inconvenient, somebody invented something which is
+known under the name
+tar -cf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+tar -cf /dev/nqft0 /etc
+mt -f /dev/nqft0 rewind
+
+would result in a backup of all files under /bin and /etc. When
+the first
+
+Thus, to extract the second archive in the example above, one doesn't
+need to read the first archive back, but can proceed as follows:
+
+mt -f /dev/nqft0 rewind
+mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+tar -xvf /dev/nqft0
+
+
+<Answer from Claus Heine>
+
+What exactly is the difference between ftape, and zftape?
+
+When What is the difference between a rewinding, and non rewinding drive?
+
+Well, the rewinding tape devices rewind the tape to BOT (Begin Of
+Tape) when the device is closed, i.e.
+
+tar -cvf /dev/qft0 /bin
+
+will rewind the tape cartridge when the tar job has finished. In contrast,
+
+tar -cvf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+
+will NOT rewind the tape cartridge and leave the tape R/W head at its
+current position.
+
+Rewinding devices should be used when performing a single backup,
+non-rewinding devices can be useful when doing multiple backups as one
+doesn't need to space to EOM (End Of recorded Media) before appending
+another archive.
+
+Non-rewinding devices MUST be used when sending any of the tape motion
+command to the tape drive, such as
+
+mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+
+, because when the Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record, so I can verify it?
+
+Well, it depends. If the tape is still positioned inside the volume
+just written, "mt bsf 1" (or equivalently "mt bsf") will backspace
+just to the beginning of that volume (this is how "tar --verify"
+works). If the tape is already positioned AFTER the filemark that
+marks the end of the last written volume, then you need to issue
+"mt bsf 2"
+
+The logic behind this is as follows:
+"MTBSF count" backspaces over count file marks, stops, and then
+positions on the By non-rewinding, they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind, correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind, right? I tried using /dev/zqft0, and it instantly rewinds the tape.
+
+You are right: auto-rewind means, the tape is rewound when the tape
+device is closed, non-rewinding means, the tape isn't automatically
+rewound when the tape device is closed (but you can, of course, use
+the tape motion commands BSF/FSF etc. to position the tape head at
+every position you like).
+
+<answer form Claus Heine>
+
+What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?
+
+A record is the minimal amount of bytes that will be accepted by the
+tape in one read/write operation (except in "variable block size mode"
+where it just should be the amount of data actually written in a
+single write operation??).
+
+For MTBSF/FSF
commands.
+
+<answer form Claus Heine>
+
+Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape.
+
+We try to answer the followong questions :
+
+
+Is there a good way to erase, as in remove the data or at least the volumes
+from a tape, without reformating?
+
+Can you overwrite the last volume on a tape with making a mess out of it?
+
+Can you overwrite the last several volumes without making a mess?
+
+Can you delete the last volume?
+
+
+If you want to "erase" an entire cartridge, then simply do:
+
+
+mt -f /dev/qft0 erase
+
+
+This will erase the volume table (i.e. the "file marks").
+
+Pre-ftape-3.x releases of zftape and ftape used to allow overwriting
+of already existing volumes on a cartridge. I have removed this
+feature as it was reported that it already has caused data-loss with
+some backup programs.
+
+If you indeed need to remove some volumes on the tape then you should
+use the
+
+
+vtblc
+
+
+program that comes with the
+mt rewind
+
+
+If the tape is at BOT (Begin Of Tape) then every write access to the
+tape will silently erase all file marks and overwrite the data already
+existing on the tape.
+
+<answer by Claus Heine>
+
+This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the "MTIOCVOLINFO" ioctl.
+
+Here is as little perl/bash script that lists the contents of a cartridge
+using the
+
+Rewind the cartridge
+
+Issue the volinfo command:
+
+ claus@thales:~$ mt volinfo
+ file number = 1
+ block size = 10240
+ physical space used = 522.0 kilobytes
+ real size of volume = 520.0 kilobytes
+
+Parse the ouput and place the values in appropriate variables
+
+Skip to the next volume with "mt fsf"
+
+Exit if this gives an error (EOD), otherwise "goto 2)"
+
+
+
+
+
+#!/usr/bin/perl
+#
+# Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+# any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+# the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+#
+# This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+# package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+#
+
+$version = <
+EOT
+
+while ($ARGV[0] =~ /^-/) {
+$_ = shift;
+if (/--file/) {$_ = shift; $tapedev = $_; next;}
+if (/-f/) {$_ = shift; $tapedev = $_; next;}
+if (/--help/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/-h/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/--usage/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/-\?/) { print $usage; exit 0; }
+if (/--version/) { print $version; exit 0; }
+if (/-V/) { print $version; exit 0; }
+die $usage;
+}
+
+&open_tape($tapedev, "status");
+while()
+{
+$online = 1 if (/.*online.*/);
+}
+
+if (! $online) { die "No cartridge present.\n"; }
+
+&mtop($tapedev, "rewind");
+
+printf "%11s%12s%20s%20s\n",
+"file number", "block size", "volume size", "tape space";
+
+while (1)
+{
+&open_tape($tapedev, "volinfo");
+while () {
+if (/^file number\s*=\s*([0-9]*)$/) { $filenumber = $1; }
+if (/^block size\s*=\s*([0-9]*)$/) { $blocksize = $1; }
+if (/^physical space used\s*=\s*([[0-9]*.*)/) { $rawsize = $1; }
+if (/^real size of volume\s*=\s*([[0-9]*.*)/) { $size = $1; }
+}
+close(FTMT);
+if (&mtop($tapedev, "fsf 1") != 0) {
+&mtop($tapedev,"rewind");
+print "\nRemaining space: $rawsize\n";
+print "Tape block size: $blocksize\n";
+exit 0;
+}
+printf "%6d %5d %20s%20s\n",
+ $filenumber, $blocksize, $size, $rawsize;
+}
+
+sub mtop
+{
+local ($tape, $operation) = @_;
+local ($exitval);
+system "ftmt -f $tape $operation > /dev/null 2>&1";
+}
+
+sub open_tape
+{
+local ($tape, $operation) = @_;
+local ($command);
+
+$command = "ftmt -f " . $tape . " " . $operation . " |";
+open(FTMT, $command) || die "Couldn't open $command -- $!\n";
+}
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+#! /bin/bash
+#
+# Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+# any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+# the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+#
+# This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+# package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+#
+
+#
+# insert better option parsing here
+#
+TAPEDEV=${1-/dev/tape}
+
+if ! echo $TAPEDEV | grep "/dev/n"
+then
+TAPEDEV=/dev/n$(basename $TAPEDEV)
+fi
+
+if ! [ -c $TAPEDEV ]
+then
+echo $TAPEDEV is not a character device! 1>&2
+exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV rewind
+then
+echo Could not rewind $TAPEDEV - no cartridge present? 1>&2
+exit 1
+fi
+
+echo -e "\nContents of $TAPEDEV:\n"
+
+printf "%11s%12s%20s%20s\n" "file number" "block size" "volume size" "tape space"
+
+trap "rm -f /tmp/$0.$$" exit
+
+while true
+do
+if ! foo=$(mt -f $TAPEDEV volinfo |cut -f 2 -d =)
+then
+echo $TAPEDEV doesn\'t seem to be a floppy tape device 1>&2
+exit 1
+fi
+#
+# "echo foo | read foo" will not work as the "read foo" is executed in
+# another shell.
+#
+echo $foo > /tmp/$0.$$
+read file blksz used usedunit size sizeunit < /tmp/$0.$$
+if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV fsf 1 > /dev/null 2>&1
+then
+echo -e "\nRemaining space: $used $usedunit"
+echo -e "Tape block size: $blksz"
+if ! mt -f $TAPEDEV rewind
+then
+ echo Rewind of $TAPEDEV failed 1>&2
+ exit 1
+fi
+exit 0
+fi
+printf "%6d %5d %20s%20s\n"\
+$file $blksz "$size $sizeunit" "$used $usedunit"
+done
+
+
+
+<answer from Claus Heine>
+
+FAQ: "Tape and Drivers" related questions !
+
+What are good makers of Travan tapes?
+
+I was the UNIX Product Manager at Archive Corp (Prior to the Conner/Seagate
+mess) and we performed extensive tests of tape media for compatibility
+certification, including retentivity, flaking and length consistancy. Based
+on the results of the tests, we selected the best of these certified
+manufacturers' products to private label as our own media. Here is the
+order in which we selected vendors up through 1995 (when I lost contact
+with the ATI group):
+
+
+
+ 3M (now known as Imation)
+ QMaxell/Sony (tie)
+ (BTW - Iomega uses Sony private-labelled media)
+
+
+ Fuji
+ Maxell/Sony (tie - is this a trend?)
+
+
+ Fuji/Exabyte - which we believed to be OEM'd Fuji (tie - so much for trend!)
+ Sony
+ Maxell
+
+
+ Maxell
+ Sony
+
+
+
+Otherwise, we had entries in our search from other vendors which were
+generally a private-labelled version of one of the major labels above. The
+exceptions were Verbatim and DIC. Both of these manufacturer's media had
+fall-out rates and length discrepancies that were so high that we would not
+certify them and even warned customers about them indicating that we could
+not offer any sort of guarantee that they would get a good backup using the
+media from these manufacturers.
+
+In addition, since coming to EST, I've found that Verbatim media is still
+not worth the money saved in purchasing it. We have 11 of their TR-Extra
+and QIC-Extra (QICXL) tapes that were useless after fewer than 20 passes each.
+
+While this is my personal opinion, it is based on over 9 years of experience
+with this very question, I strongly recommend Imation/3M media for QIC/Travan
+user, Fuji media 4MM users, Exabyte/Fuji for 8MM and DEC labelled media
+for DLT users.
+
+<answer from Tim Jones>
+
+Where can I obtain the QIC standards?
+
+If you wish to help developing
+Quarter Inch Cartridge Drive Standards, Inc.
+311 East Carrillo Street
+Santa Barbara, California 93101
+Phone: (805) 963-3853
+Fax: (805) 962-1541
+
+
+Note: They are registered as `Freeman Associates, Inc' in the phone
+book.
+
+<from the Ftape-Howto>
+
+Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?
+
+Yes, if you are using version or from
+.
+
+<answer from Tim Jones>
+
+As the Ditto 2GB is a Tr-3 tape (though it can only store 1GB instead of the
+1.6GB you get with a regular Tr-3 drive) you need an FDC (FDC means: Floppy
+Disk Controller) that is capable of at 1Mbit/sec transfer rate. You don't need
+to worry about this if you have an accellerator card (i.e. the Ditto Dash
+controller). Otherwise try to purchase an FDC that claims to be capable of
+driving 2.88Mb floppies because this implies that the FDC is capable of 1Mbit
+transfer rate.
+
+
+ftape-ctl.c (ftape_init_drive) - Highest FDC supported data rate: 500 Kbps.
+
+
+<answer from Claus Heine>
+
+Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?
+
+Yes, if you are using version or from .
+
+<answer from Claus Heine>
+
+Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?
+
+Yes. But if you want to use the 5GB (10GB with compression) cartridges
+you don't need it. With FAQ: Miscellaneous !
+
+How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?
+
+You can subscribe to that list by sending mail to
+
+majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu
+
+with the single line
+
+subscribe linux-tape
+
+in its body. Please store the answer you get from majordomo in a safe place
+because it contains instructions how to How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?
+
+Send mail to
+
+majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu
+
+with the single line
+
+unsubscribe linux-tape MY@EMAIL.ADDRESS
+
+where Links to related information.
+
+
+
+
+More links wanted !!!
diff -u --recursive --new-file ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.txt ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.txt
--- ftape-4.x-doc-1.04/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.txt Fri Jun 30 13:24:26 2000
+++ ftape-doc-1.05/ftape-howto/ftape-howto.txt Fri Jul 21 11:36:19 2000
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
Ftape-HOWTO
Claus-Justus Heine,
- v3.0, June 2000
+ v3.1, July 2000
This HOWTO discusses essential do's and dont's for the ftape floppy
tape driver under Linux. It focusses on the newest version which is
- ftape-4.03 at the time of this writing. This HOWTO is to be intended
+ ftape-4.04 at the time of this writing. This HOWTO is to be intended
as first step help and source of information. The ftape driver inter-
faces to QIC-40, QIC-80, QIC-3010 and QIC-3020 compatible drives, and
to the Iomega Ditto 2GB and Ditto Max drives. The QIC-3010 and
@@ -118,21 +118,84 @@
9. Frequently Asked Questions
- 10. Debugging the
+ 10. "FAQ: Compiling and installing Ftape" related questions !
- 10.1 The kernel/
- 10.2 OK, it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?
+ 10.1 What Ftape version should I use?
+ 10.2 I'm having problems getting my XYZ drive to run under the 2.0.xx kernel with the built-in driver. How do I fix this?
+ 10.3 I'm running Linux/SMP and the system just freezes when trying to access the Ftape devices!
+ 10.4 Why does depmod complain about "undefined symbols"?
+ 10.5 "insmod" says the kernel version is wrong
+ 10.6 "insmod" says that kernel 1.2.0 and 1.2.0 differ
+ 10.7 Trying to compile Ftape gives me the error "modversions.h: no such file or directory"
+ 10.8 What is this versioned symbols stuff anyway?
+ 10.9 I seem to be getting sftape instead of zftape. When I run "ftmt status" command, I get output that the Ftape docs says corresponds to sftape ( /dev/qft0: Invalid argument ). Why?
+ 10.10 My Ditto DASH/FC-20/Exabyte Accelerator card works under Microsoft Windows, but I get a drive not found type of error in /var/log/messages when trying to use it under Linux.
+ 10.11 Ftape DMA transfers gives ECC errors
+ 10.12 Help! I'm getting 'dmaalloc() failed' in my syslog file.
+ 10.13 Syslogd works overtime when running Ftape
+ 10.14 How do I change the trace-level?
+ 10.15 I'm having problems with Ftape. I'm using the latest version of Ftape from the Ftape Home Page and believe that I've located a real bug. What should I do?
+
+ 11. FAQ: "Using Ftape" related questions !
+
+ 11.1 How fast is Ftape ?
+ 11.2 When I write to some of my tapes, they seem to spend a lot of time "shoe-shining," or repositioning instead of streaming. Is something wrong with my system?
+ 11.3 Do I have to reboot to the DOS world to format tapes?
+ 11.4 Is it possibly to format Ditto 2GB tapes with ftape?
+ 11.5 Is it possibly to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes with ftape?
+ 11.6 Ftape detects more bad sectors than DOS on QIC-3020 tapes
+ 11.7 Is it ok that I'm not hearing the tape move when I do a fsf or a bsf with mt?
+ 11.8 Why does my XYZ backup program complain about "Invalid argument" errors?
+ 11.9 I/O errors and FDC - some explanations.
+ 11.10 Why do I get "/dev/qft0: No such device" errors?
+ 11.11 I get "device busy" when I make multiple backups on a tape using some script.
+ 11.12 How do I "..." with tar?
+ 11.13 What block-size should I use with tar ?
+ 11.14 Where can I find the tar/mt/cpio/dd binaries - sources - manpages?
+ 11.15 If I use tapers compression, is it a bad idea to use the compression with zftape, or would it be better to not use tapers compression, and let zftape do it?
+ 11.16 How does zftape compression compare to say gzip -9?
+ 11.17 I don't trust compression, but hear that the sftape interface is going away. What should I do?
+ 11.18 Ftape says "This tape has no 'Linux raw format"
+ 11.19 Can I exchange tapes with someone using DOS?
+ 11.20 How does `mt eom' work when you've started overwriting a tape in the middle?
+ 11.21 When I made backups before using taper, under the 2.0.29 ftape my drive didn't support fsf, under the new zftape it does, why would this be, and what exactly is fsf ?
+ 11.22 What exactly is the difference between ftape, and zftape?
+ 11.23 What is the difference between a rewinding, and non rewinding drive?
+ 11.24 Can someone tell me how to use mt to rewind my TR-3 drive one record using zftape record, so I can verify it?
+ 11.25 By non-rewinding, they mean that it doesn't automatically rewind, correct? It doesn't mean that under no circumstances it will rewind, right? I tried using /dev/zqft0, and it instantly rewinds the tape.
+ 11.26 What is the difference between what mt considers a record and what it considers a file?
+ 11.27 Reusing tapes with zftape without reformatting the tape.
+ 11.28 This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape package using the "MTIOCVOLINFO" ioctl.
+
+ 12. FAQ: "Tape and Drivers" related questions !
+
+ 12.1 What are good makers of Travan tapes?
+ 12.2 Where can I obtain the QIC standards?
+ 12.3 Is the Iomega Ditto 2GB drive supported?
+ 12.4 Is the Iomega Ditto Max drive supported?
+ 12.5 Is the Iomega Ditto Max Pro drive supported?
+
+ 13. FAQ: Miscellaneous !
+
+ 13.1 How to subscribe to the Ftape Mailing List?
+ 13.2 How to un-subscribe from the Ftape Mailing List?
+ 13.3 Links to related information.
- 11. Contributions
+ 14. Debugging the
+ 14.1 The kernel/
+ 14.2 OK, it's a bug ...ehhh... feature - How do I submit a report?
+
+ 15. Contributions
- ______________________________________________________________________
+ ______________________________________________________________________
11.. LLeeggaalleessee
+
The Linux ftape-HOWTO may be reproduced and distributed in whole or in
part, subject to the following conditions:
@@ -195,16 +258,24 @@
Contributing in this way shows your support for free software and the
Linux Documentation Project.
-
If you have questions or comments, please contact the author at
heine@instmath.rwth-aachen.de
-
22.. RReevviissiioonn HHiissttoorryy
+ vveerrssiioonn 33..22 ((JJuullyy,, 22000000))
+
+ +o Minor updates for ftape-4.04.
+
+ vveerrssiioonn 33..11 ((JJuullyy,, 22000000))
+
+ +o Minor updates for ftape-4.03.
+
+ +o Email and url address changes.
+
vveerrssiioonn 33..00 ((AAuugguusstt,, 11999988))
+o Additions to list of supported hardware.
@@ -213,7 +284,7 @@
+o Pointers to the Ftape-FAQ and the Ftape manual.
- +o Updated to ftape-4.03.
+ +o Updated to ftape-4.02.
+o Additions to the FAQ.
@@ -256,6 +327,7 @@
vveerrssiioonn 11..66..22 ((JJaannuuaarryy 2233,, 11999966))
+
+o Connor TST3200R drive added
+o Updated 2Mbps fdc information.
@@ -368,7 +440,7 @@
ftape has undergone several changes since then. While the Linux-2.0.x
kernel series still contains ftape-2.08 the v2.1.x and soon the v2.2.*
- kernel series come with ftape-3.x (hopefully even with ftape-4.03, but
+ kernel series come with ftape-3.x (hopefully even with ftape-4.04, but
this wasn't clear at the time of this writing) which differs in some
points from the ftape-2.x driver. Since version 3.00 the ftape driver
has been maintained by me (Claus-Justus Heine); it has been changed
@@ -387,6 +459,7 @@
ftape can drive floppy tape drives that connect to the internal FDC as
well as certain parallel port floppy tape drives.
+
ftape supports neither QIC-02, IDE (ATAPI), nor SCSI tape drives.
SCSI drives are accessed as /dev/[n]st[0-7] and are supported by the
kernel through the SCSI drivers. If you look for help on SCSI tape
@@ -394,6 +467,11 @@
supported by the kernel since 1.3.46. See section ``Supported
drives'' and ``Unsupported drives'' for a list of supported and
unsupported drives.
+
+
+
+
+
44.. GGeettttiinngg aanndd iinnssttaalllliinngg ffttaappee
@@ -447,6 +525,7 @@
original author Bas Larhoven.
+
FFiillee MMaarrkkss
The conceptional difference between ftape-2.x and later versions
of ftape is the way _f_i_l_e _m_a_r_k_s are implemented.
@@ -513,8 +592,6 @@
compatibility. Think, e.g., of taper which calls the MTIOC
ioctls itself instead of relying on the mt program to perform
tape operations.
-
-
The ftape-manual contained in the ftape-doc package contains much more
detailed information about ftape`s file system interface as well as
implementation notes which by far exceed the scope of this HOWTO. See
@@ -523,9 +600,6 @@
-
-
-
44..33.. kkeerrnneellss IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee ddrriivveerr wwiitthh vv22..00..xx,, vv22..22..xx aanndd eeaarrlliieerr
@@ -534,17 +608,17 @@
kernel source tree yet but has to be downloaded separately, see the
section ``Getting ftape'' above.
- Once you've downloaded the source code (probably ftape-4.03-tar.gz),
+ Once you've downloaded the source code (probably ftape-4.04-tar.gz),
untar it. You can do this by determining what directory you want the
source code to be located in. I recommend /usr/src/ or ~/src. When
- the tar file is extracted, it will dump everything into a ftape-4.03
+ the tar file is extracted, it will dump everything into a ftape-4.04
subdirectory, so that you'll end up, in the example I've given, with
- something like /usr/src/ftape-4.03 or ~/src/ftape-4.03.
+ something like /usr/src/ftape-4.04 or ~/src/ftape-4.04.
- NNOOTTEE:: you cannot compile ftape-4.03 into your v2.0.x kernel. Instead,
+ NNOOTTEE:: you cannot compile ftape-4.04 into your v2.0.x kernel. Instead,
configure your kernel to nnoott compile the ftape driver and follow the
- installation instructions in the ftape-4.03 distribution and install
- ftape-4.03 as a module.
+ installation instructions in the ftape-4.04 distribution and install
+ ftape-4.04 as a module.
Read the README file. The README is required reading. It's the top
of the tree, so to speak. If there are specific files that the README
@@ -575,7 +649,7 @@
44..44.. IInnssttaalllliinngg tthhee ddrriivveerr wwiitthh vv22..44..xx aanndd llaatteerr kkeerrnneellss
- (* Maybe ftape-4.03 will be included into the v2.4.x kernel, but this
+ (* Maybe ftape-4.04 will be included into the v2.4.x kernel, but this
isn't clear at the time of this writing. This HOWTO will be revised
appropriately when this has become clear. So long you have to refer to
the previous section ``Installing the driver with v2.0.x and earlier
@@ -592,6 +666,7 @@
The various boot- and loadtime parameter settings are explained in the
file
+
[/usr/src/linux/]Documentation/ftape.txt
in the Linux kernel source tree.
@@ -647,6 +722,8 @@
+
+
55..11..11.. CCaann II ffoorrmmaatt mmyy ttaappeess uunnddeerr LLiinnuuxx??
@@ -658,6 +735,7 @@
The ftape-tools package comes with its own manual, so I do not need to
repeat here how to use ftformat.
+
55..11..22.. WWhhiicchh ffoorrmmaattttiinngg pprrooggrraammss ccaann II uussee uunnddeerr DDOOSS??
@@ -721,9 +799,6 @@
retension the tape before a backup.
-
-
-
55..33.. DDrriivvee CClleeaanniinngg
@@ -847,12 +922,11 @@
repositioning. (Frank Stuess at Nacamar Data Communications)
- Write errors need not be caused by the tape drive, but
- also by bad tape cartridges. Frequent repositioning can
- be caused by bad cartridges, too, but can also be caused
- by overrun errors which would indicate that the FDC and
- DMA controller have problems to talk to each other.
-
+ Write errors need not be caused by the tape drive, but
+ also by bad tape cartridges. Frequent repositioning can
+ be caused by bad cartridges, too, but can also be caused
+ by overrun errors which would indicate that the FDC and
+ DMA controller have problems to talk to each other.
@@ -914,14 +988,13 @@
been unreliable ().
- No recent informations available
+ No recent informations available
EEssccoomm oorr AArrcchhiivvee ((HHoorrnneett)) 3311225500QQ
-
EExxaabbyyttee EEXXBB--11550000
Work with QIC-3010 tapes.
@@ -981,13 +1054,15 @@
all Iomega floppy tape drives are rreeaallllyy poor. Recent
ftape versions work around this problem. I suggest get-
ting the latest version of the ftape driver when you
- experience this problem.
+ experience this problem.
IIoommeeggaa DDiittttoo 880000 IInnssiiddeerr
Works with Travan TR1, TR2, or DC2120 tapes
().
+
+
IIoommeeggaa DDiittttoo 22GGBB
Support added by Jochen Hoenicke
to ftape-3.xx and
@@ -995,7 +1070,8 @@
Can't format cartridges, writing is only possible with special
Ditto 2GB cartridges (hardware limitation, not a lacking feature
- of ftape).
+ of ftape). Nowadays, only so called 3.7GB cartridges are
+ available (roughly 1.9 GB uncomressed). These work as well.
IIoommeeggaa DDiittttoo MMaaxx
@@ -1054,6 +1130,7 @@
MMeemmoorreexx ttaappee ddrriivvee bbaacckkuupp ssyysstteemm
+
WWaannggtteekk 33004400FF,, 33008800FF
@@ -1107,6 +1184,8 @@
The support for the MACH-2 controller was added in ftape-1.14d.
+
+
66..22..33.. IIoommeeggaa TTaappee AAcccceelleerraattoorr IIII
@@ -1119,7 +1198,6 @@
66..22..44.. IIoommeeggaa DDiittttoo DDaasshh aanndd ootthheerr 22MMbbppss ccoonnttrroolllleerrss
-
The Iomega Ditto Dash, and all other known 2Mbps controllers, use the
Intel 82078-1 chip, which can run at 2Mbps. This is supported properly
since ftape-3.00.
@@ -1237,6 +1315,9 @@
+
+
+
66..55.. PPCCII mmootthheerrbbooaarrddss aanndd ffttaappee
@@ -1252,6 +1333,11 @@
doesn't get control over the memory bus often enough on some
PCI based systems.
+
+
+
+
+
77.. BBaacckkiinngg uupp aanndd rreessttoorriinngg ddaattaa
@@ -1318,6 +1404,8 @@
OK, let us restore the backup of the kernel source you made in section
``Writing an archive to a tape'' above. To do this you simply say
+
+
tar xf /dev/ftape
@@ -1361,6 +1449,7 @@
+
To put more than one backup on a tape you must have the mt utility.
You will probably have it already, if you got one of the mainline
distributions (eg. Slackware or Debian).
@@ -1426,6 +1515,7 @@
``Is there a way to extend an archive -- put a file on the tape, then
later, add more to the tape?''
+
No. The tar documentation will tell you to use `tar -Ar', but it does
not work. This is a limitation of the current ftape driver.
@@ -1488,9 +1578,13 @@
something like this:
- /dev/fd0 / minix defaults
- none /proc proc defaults
- /dev/hda /mnt ext2 defaults
+
+
+
+
+ /dev/fd0 / minix defaults
+ none /proc proc defaults
+ /dev/hda /mnt ext2 defaults
@@ -1516,6 +1610,7 @@
This means that you MMUUSSTT load the floppy into a RAMDISK.
+
This has the unfortunate consequence that the programs needed to
restore the files from the tape can not be located on a separate
floppy disk. You have two options here:
@@ -1552,6 +1647,7 @@
sub-sections into the table of contents, I have prepended the word FAQ
to the sections of the original FAQ document. *)
+
TThhiiss FFAAQQ ccoolllleeccttiioonn mmiigghhtt bbee sslliigghhttllyy oouutt ooff ddaattaa aass iitt wwaass ccoolllleecctteedd
wwhhiillee vveerrssiioonn 33..0044dd ooff tthhee ftape driver was the newest one. If any
answer given in the FAQ contradicts any other statement of this HOWTO,
@@ -1561,111 +1657,1797 @@
+ You might encounter references to the following addresses while
+ reading this document:
+ +o The maintainer of the Ftape FAQ :
+ Johan De Wit
+ +o The Ftape maintainer :
- 1100.. DDeebbuuggggiinngg tthhee ffttaappee ddrriivveerr
+ Claus-Justus Heine
+ +o The Ftape Home Page :
+
+ +o Mirrors of the Ftape Home Page :
- 1100..11.. TThhee kkeerrnneell// ffttaappee ccrraasshheess oonn mmee wwhheenn II ddoo ``......'' -- iiss tthhaatt aa
- bbuugg??
+
+ Thanks to Grant R. Guenther
- No, that is a feature ;-)
+
- Seriously, reliable software do not crash. Especially kernels do not
- or rather sshhoouulldd not crash. If the kernel crashes upon you when you
- are running ftape, and you can show that it is ftape that is messing
- things up, regard it as a Bug That Should Be Fixed. Mail the details
- to the maintainer () and to the tape
- list.
+ Thanks to Jakob Curdes
+
+ Thanks to Josh Goins
- 1100..22.. OOKK,, iitt''ss aa bbuugg ......eehhhhhh...... ffeeaattuurree -- HHooww ddoo II ssuubbmmiitt aa rreeppoorrtt??
+ +o The Ftape HOWTO :
- First, make sure you can reproduce the problem. Spurious errors are a
- pain in the ass, since they are just about impossible to hunt down :-/
- This is a quick check list:
+
+ +o The Ftape Mailing List :
- +o Kernel version, and patches applied
+
- +o ftape version
- +o tape drive model / manufacturer
+ There is surely quite a lot missing. Please feel free to improve this
+ FAQ. The preferred way of doing this is to post to the Ftape Mailing
+ List in case you have a question that isn't answered here.
- +o Expansion bus type (EISA, ISA, PCI, or VL-bus)
+ Also, if you are already reading the list regularly and have the
+ impression that some questions occur again and again, feel free to
+ send that question and possibly an answer in the format indicated
+ below to the maintainer of the _F_t_a_p_e _F_A_Q AND to Ftape Mailing List.
- +o What you did to expose the problem
+ If you make FAQ related postings, then please DON'T FORGET to prepend
+ the word "[[FFAAQQ]]" to the subject of your posting. Please don't add the
+ word "FAQ" to the subject if you post something that isn't related to
+ the FAQ.
+
+ That's all for now.
+
+
+ Claus-Justus Heine.
+
+ 1100.. ""FFAAQQ:: CCoommppiilliinngg aanndd iinnssttaalllliinngg FFttaappee"" rreellaatteedd qquueessttiioonnss !!
+
+
+
+ 1100..11.. WWhhaatt FFttaappee vveerrssiioonn sshhoouulldd II uussee??
+
+
+ Always the latest stable version which is _supposed_ to be available
+ from ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/kernel/tapes and
+ http://www.instmath.rwth-aachen.de/~heine/ftape/
+
+ At time of this writing the latest stable version is ftape-4.02.
+
+
+
+ 1100..22.. II''mm hhaavviinngg pprroobblleemmss ggeettttiinngg mmyy XXYYZZ ddrriivvee ttoo rruunn uunnddeerr tthhee
+ 22..00..xxxx kkeerrnneell wwiitthh tthhee bbuuiilltt--iinn ddrriivveerr.. HHooww ddoo II ffiixx tthhiiss??
+
+
+ The default version of _F_t_a_p_e included in the 2.0.xx kernel sources is
+ 2.08 or 2.09 and is very out of date. Please update the _F_t_a_p_e _d_r_i_v_e_r_s
+ to the latest from the Ftape Home Page.
+
+
+
+ 1100..33.. II''mm rruunnnniinngg LLiinnuuxx//SSMMPP aanndd tthhee ssyysstteemm jjuusstt ffrreeeezzeess wwhheenn ttrryyiinngg
+ ttoo aacccceessss tthhee FFttaappee ddeevviicceess!!
+
+
+ You need to add -D__SMP__ to the KERNEL_OPT variable in the file
+ MCONFIG. In newer ftape versions you only need to uncomment a certain
+ line in the MCONFIG file.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..44.. WWhhyy ddooeess ddeeppmmoodd ccoommppllaaiinn aabboouutt ""uunnddeeffiinneedd ssyymmbboollss""??
+
+
+ Ignore the depmod error messages. The problem is that the _F_t_a_p_e
+ _m_o_d_u_l_e_s have to be compiled without the version checksum feature (i.e.
+ CONFIG_MODVERSIONS) with 2.0.* kernels. This causes no problem, even
+ when the modules are used with a kernel that has support for this
+ feature; only that depmod wrongly complains about undefined symbols.
+ Ignore the complaints of depmod and try to insert the modules despite
+ of these complaints:
+
+
+ modprobe zftape
+
+
+
+
+ If this fails, something is wrong.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..55.. ""iinnssmmoodd"" ssaayyss tthhee kkeerrnneell vveerrssiioonn iiss wwrroonngg
+
+
+ The insmod program can check the kernel version against the version
+ that _F_t_a_p_e was compiled for in two ways: It can directly compare the
+ kernel version number recorded in the _F_t_a_p_e _m_o_d_u_l_e against the version
+ of the running kernel, or, if both the kernel and _F_t_a_p_e is compiled
+ with versioned symbols, compare the version of the used kernel
+ symbols.
+
+ If you have upgraded your version of GCC to v2.7.0 or later, you must
+ recompile the modules utilities with gcc v2.7.x.
+
+ Newer versions of insmod allows you to "force" insertion of a module
+ into the kernel, even though the version string is incorrect.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..66.. ""iinnssmmoodd"" ssaayyss tthhaatt kkeerrnneell 11..22..00 aanndd 11..22..00 ddiiffffeerr
+
+
+ Did you remember to apply the ksyms.c patch to the kernel? If not,
+ read the README.linux-1.2 file in the source distribution.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..77.. TTrryyiinngg ttoo ccoommppiillee FFttaappee ggiivveess mmee tthhee eerrrroorr ""mmooddvveerrssiioonnss..hh:: nnoo
+ ssuucchh ffiillee oorr ddiirreeccttoorryy""
+
+
+ The modversions.h file is created when the kernel is compiled with the
+ configuration item CONFIG_MODVERSIONS turned on. With this option
+ enabled, the file will be created during the make dep step.
+
+ One more handy tip is that a make mrproper will remove
+ /usr/include/linux/modversions.h. You will need to reconfig the
+ kernel and do a make dep to get the file back.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..88.. WWhhaatt iiss tthhiiss vveerrssiioonneedd ssyymmbboollss ssttuuffff aannyywwaayy??
+
+
+ When you say `yes' to CONFIG_MODVERSIONS during `make config', all the
+ symbols exported by the kernel, i.e: the symbols that the loadable
+ modules can "see", are augmented to include a checksum across the
+ types of the call/return parameters. This allows insmod to detect
+ whether the definition of a variable or function in the kernel has
+ changed since the time when _F_t_a_p_e was compiled.
+
+ This ensures a high degree of safety, such that you do not crash the
+ kernel because you used an outdated module with your kernel.
+
+ If you enable CONFIG_MODVERSIONS in the kernel, make sure you have
+
+ -DMODVERSIONS -include /usr/include/linux/modversions.h
+
+
+ uncommented in the MODULE_OPT line in the _F_t_a_p_e Makefile. Conversely,
+ if you do not have CONFIG_MODVERSIONS enabled, make sure you have it
+ commented out.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..99.. II sseeeemm ttoo bbee ggeettttiinngg ssffttaappee iinnsstteeaadd ooff zzffttaappee.. WWhheenn II rruunn ""ffttmmtt
+ ssttaattuuss"" ccoommmmaanndd,, II ggeett oouuttppuutt tthhaatt tthhee FFttaappee ddooccss ssaayyss ccoorrrreessppoonnddss ttoo
+ ssffttaappee (( //ddeevv//qqfftt00:: IInnvvaalliidd aarrgguummeenntt )).. WWhhyy??
+
+ There are (at least) two possible sources of the problem:
+
+ +o All Ftape-3.* versions prior to 3.04 install the modules into
+
+
+ /lib/modules/misc
+ instead of
+ /lib/modules/uname -r/misc
+
+
+
+
+ As modprobe searches in /lib/modules/misc/ last there might be an old
+ ftape.o module floating around in /lib/modules/ _u_n_a_m_e _-_r/misc which
+ modprobe finds first (uname -r stands for the kernel version). Remove
+ the old ftape.o module.
+
+ +o Your kernel has support for _F_t_a_p_e compiled in. Reconfigure your
+ kernel without support for _F_t_a_p_e (CONFIG_FTAPE) and recompile and
+ install it.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..1100.. MMyy DDiittttoo DDAASSHH//FFCC--2200//EExxaabbyyttee AAcccceelleerraattoorr ccaarrdd wwoorrkkss uunnddeerr
+ MMiiccrroossoofftt WWiinnddoowwss,, bbuutt II ggeett aa ddrriivvee nnoott ffoouunndd ttyyppee ooff eerrrroorr iinn
+ //vvaarr//lloogg//mmeessssaaggeess wwhheenn ttrryyiinngg ttoo uussee iitt uunnddeerr LLiinnuuxx..
+
+
+ You are probably trying to use the same IRQ and DMA settings as your
+ on-board FDC. This does not work in versions of _F_t_a_p_e prior to 3.03b.
+ Please update the _F_t_a_p_e _D_r_i_v_e_r_s to the latest from the Ftape Home
+ Page.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..1111.. FFttaappee DDMMAA ttrraannssffeerrss ggiivveess EECCCC eerrrroorrss
+
+
+ Sadly to say there are some SVGA cards and Ethernet cards that do not
+ decode their addresses correct. This typically happens when the _F_t_a_p_e
+ buffers are in the range 0x1a0000 to 0x1c0000. Somehow, the DMA write
+ cycles get clobbered and every other byte written gets a bad value
+ (0xff). These problems are reported to happen with both SVGA and
+ Ethernet cards. We know of at least one (bad?) ATI 16bit VGA card
+ that caused this.
+
+ The easiest solution is to put the card in an 8bit slot (it is often
+ not enough to reconfigure the card to 8bit transfers). Moving the
+ _F_t_a_p_e buffer away from the VGA range is only a partial solution; All
+ DMA buffers used in Linux can have this problem! Let us make this one
+ clear: This has nothing to do with the _F_t_a_p_e software.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..1122.. HHeellpp!! II''mm ggeettttiinngg ''ddmmaaaalllloocc(()) ffaaiilleedd'' iinn mmyy ssyysslloogg ffiillee..
+
+
+ You should only see this is you are trying to insmod the ftape.o
+ module. Try running swapout first. It is provided with the
+ standalone _F_t_a_p_e source. It doesn't appear in the _F_t_a_p_e source that's
+ provided with the kernel.
+
+
+ Here's an example of how you can set your rc.local file to use it.
+
+
+
+ # Install the Floppy Tape Driver
+ if [ -f /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o ]; then
+ echo Installing ftape for Linux `uname -r`
+ swapout
+ insmod /boot/modules/`uname -r`/misc/ftape.o
+ fi
+
+
+
+
+ Please note that you won't have this type of problem if you compile
+ the _F_t_a_p_e _d_r_i_v_e_r into the kernel.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..1133.. SSyyssllooggdd wwoorrkkss oovveerrttiimmee wwhheenn rruunnnniinngg FFttaappee
+
+
+ The compile-time options NO_TRACE and NO_TRACE_AT_ALL in _F_t_a_p_e control
+ the amount of system logging. Add whichever is appropriate to the
+ FTAPE_OPT line in the Makefile and recompile.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..1144.. HHooww ddoo II cchhaannggee tthhee ttrraaccee--lleevveell??
+
+
+ There are three ways you can do this (in order of personal
+ preference).
+
+ While we're at it, here are the meanings of the various trace levels.
+
+
+ +o 0 Bugs
+
+ +o 1 + Errors
+
+ +o 2 + Warnings
+
+ +o 3 + Information
+
+ +o 4 + More information
+
+ +o 5 + Program flow
+
+ +o 6 + FDC/DMA info
+
+ +o 7 + Data flow
+
+ +o 8 + Everything else
+
+
+ 1. Using insmod to change trace-level
+
+ If you are using the modules mechanism to load the _F_t_a_p_e driver,
+ you can specify the tracing level as an option to the insmod
+ command.
+
+
+
+ /sbin/insmod ftape.o tracing=
+
+
+
+
+ 2. Using mt to change trace-level
+
+ The _F_t_a_p_e driver has a hack in it that allows the fsr option in mt
+ to be used to set the tracing level. zftape does not have this
+ hack.
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/ftape fsr
+
+
+
+
+ The use of the fsr command in mt is a _h_a_c_k, and will probably disap-
+ pear or change with time.
+
+ 3. Recompiling to change trace-level
+
+ The file tracing.c contains a line int tracing = 3;. Change the 3
+ to whatever is appropriate and recompile.
+
+
+
+
+ 1100..1155.. II''mm hhaavviinngg pprroobblleemmss wwiitthh FFttaappee.. II''mm uussiinngg tthhee llaatteesstt vveerrssiioonn
+ ooff FFttaappee ffrroomm tthhee FFttaappee HHoommee PPaaggee aanndd bbeelliieevvee tthhaatt II''vvee llooccaatteedd aa rreeaall
+ bbuugg.. WWhhaatt sshhoouulldd II ddoo??
+
+
+ Check the Ftape Home Page. for an even newer version. Then check the
+ FAQ contained in the that package if your problem is listed there.
+ Next, try to check if the manual that comes with the _F_t_a_p_e
+ _d_i_s_t_r_i_b_u_t_i_o_n mentions your problem.
+
+ There is no need to read the entire manual, simply check the "Concept
+ Index" if it contains a keyword that might be related to your problem,
+ then jump to the proper location in the manual.
+
+ If you are still convinced you've found a bug, then post a general
+ question describing the problem to the Linux-Tape Mailing List , but
+ do not attach your entire _F_t_a_p_e error-log. If we've seen the problem
+ before, we'll let you know where the resolution effort stands. If we
+ haven't, the Ftape maintainer will most likely request that you send
+ him the entire _F_t_a_p_e error-log (snipped from your system messages
+ file).
+
+
+
+
+ 1111.. FFAAQQ:: ""UUssiinngg FFttaappee"" rreellaatteedd qquueessttiioonnss !!
+
+
+
+ 1111..11.. HHooww ffaasstt iiss FFttaappee ??
+
+
+ You can achieve quite respectable backup and restore speeds with
+ _F_t_a_p_e: a Colorado DJ-20 and an Adaptec 1542CF controller, has been
+ measured at 4.25Mbyte/min sustained data transfer rate (no
+ compression) across a 70Mbyte tar archive, while comparing the archive
+ on the tape with data on an IDE disk. The speed of _F_t_a_p_e is mostly
+ dependent on the data transfer rate of your FDC: The AHA1542CF has a
+ ``post-1991 82077'' FDC, and it will push 1Mbit/sec at the tape drive.
+ If you have an FDC which can only deliver 500Kbit/sec data rates, you
+ will see half the transfer rate (well, roughly).
+
+
+
+ 1111..22.. WWhheenn II wwrriittee ttoo ssoommee ooff mmyy ttaappeess,, tthheeyy sseeeemm ttoo ssppeenndd aa lloott ooff
+ ttiimmee ""sshhooee--sshhiinniinngg,,"" oorr rreeppoossiittiioonniinngg iinnsstteeaadd ooff ssttrreeaammiinngg.. IIss ssoommee--
+ tthhiinngg wwrroonngg wwiitthh mmyy ssyysstteemm??
+
+
+ There has been a few reports of "shoeshining". This is when the tape
+ just seems to run back and forth endlessly. This has been seen on a
+ Jumbo 250 (74407.3051@compuserve.com) and on an Iomega 250 Ditto
+ Insider (tom@opus.cais.com). In the latter case it has been narrowed
+ own to using an ELF Linux and running off a SCSI hard disk (connected
+ to an Adaptec 1542cf). Please contact me if you have an update to
+ this problem.
+
+
+
+ Probably not. If you are backing up a large number of < 2K files,
+ you're just going to have to live with it. In this event, the
+ repositions are caused by file system access overhead. If you are
+ backing up a normal system's files, this may be caused by slop or
+ media stretching in the tape cartridge. By simply retensioning the
+ tape, you should see this go away. Try
+
+
+ ftmt -f /dev/zqft0 reten
+
+
+
+
+ to retension the tape. If retensioning doesn't solve this, and it's
+ only happening on certain tapes, it might be wise to replace the tapes
+ in question.
+
+
+
+ If you use afio as your backup tool you can set it to write a very
+ large number of buffers in one hit by using the -c flag. Make it large
+ enough so that you supply enough data for most of a single end-to-end
+ pass over the tape. For my system, the following streams quite nicely
+ - stopping relatively few times per tape pass on an unloaded system:
+
+
+ find /usr/local -xdev -print | afio -o -v -f -b 10240 -c 800 /dev/qft0
+
+
+
+
+ In my case I'm writing 800 x 10240 bytes per tape write, i.e. about
+ 8MB. haven't experimented that much with these settings - so someone
+ might like to establish more optimal ones.
+
+ Presumably other backup utilities could be modified to use a similar
+ technique.
+
+
+
+ GNU tar doesn't use buffering in this way. The commercial backup
+ program "bru" is able to multi-buffer using shared memory; this works
+ only when writing compressed archive with bru (regardless whether you
+ use _F_t_a_p_e_'_s builtin compression)
+
+ Another way to overcome the problem might be to use more dma buffers
+ in the _F_t_a_p_e _k_e_r_n_e_l _d_r_i_v_e_r like:
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 setdrvbuffer $((6*32786))
+
+
+
+
+ $((6*32786)) should be expanded by your shell when using a Bourne com-
+ patible one. This has a negative impact on the system's memory pool:
+ _F_t_a_p_e_'_s dma buffers cannot be used by any other part of the kernel nor
+ by any other application. And kernel memory cannot be swapped out. If
+ you decide to use this kind of multi-buffering then you should unload
+ the driver as soon as it isn't needed any longer.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..33.. DDoo II hhaavvee ttoo rreebboooott ttoo tthhee DDOOSS wwoorrlldd ttoo ffoorrmmaatt ttaappeess??
+
+
+ Not if you are using the latest version of the _F_t_a_p_e _d_r_i_v_e_r_s from the
+ Ftape Home Page.
+
+ To format a QIC-80, TR-1, TR-3, QICWide 3010 or 3020 tape, get the
+ latest version of ftape and the latest version of the ftape-tools
+ package (from the same location) and read the documentation of the
+ ftformat utility which is included in the ftape-tools package.
+
+ (* Do not try to format Ditto 2GB tapes. *)
+
+ (* Do not try to format Ditto Max or Max Pro tapes. *)
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..44.. IIss iitt ppoossssiibbllyy ttoo ffoorrmmaatt DDiittttoo 22GGBB ttaappeess wwiitthh ffttaappee??
+
+
+ It isn't possible to format Ditto 2GB tapes with Ditto 2GB tape drive,
+ and it isn't possible at all to re-format Ditto 2GB tapes in a way
+ that they still can be used by a Ditto 2GB tape drive.
+
+ This is a hardware limitation of the Ditto 2GB tape drive. It can't be
+ helped at the software level, i.e. it isn't ftape's fault.
+
+
+ 1111..55.. IIss iitt ppoossssiibbllyy ttoo ffoorrmmaatt DDiittttoo MMaaxx oorr MMaaxx PPrroo ttaappeess wwiitthh ffttaappee??
+
+
+ No, the Ditto Max can't format tapes.
+
+ This is a hardware limitation of the Ditto Max (Pro) tape drive. It
+ can't be helped at the software level, i.e. it isn't ftape's fault.
+
+
+ 1111..66.. FFttaappee ddeetteeccttss mmoorree bbaadd sseeccttoorrss tthhaann DDOOSS oonn QQIICC--33002200 ttaappeess
+
+
+ If you look at the difference, you will notice that _F_t_a_p_e always
+ detects 2784 sectors more than DOS.
+
+ The number that _F_t_a_p_e reports is correct (of course :-). Each
+ correctly formatted QIC-3020 tape has 2784 sectors at fixed positions
+ that are marked in the bad sector map. To quote from the specs:
+ Tracks 5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25 and 27 within 4 seg-
+ ments of either EOT or BOT are prone to increased error
+ rates due to hole imprints. Therefore, these regions shall
+ be mapped as bad at format time and entered in the bad sec-
+ tor map by indicating that all sectors within the identified
+ segments are bad.
+
+
+ This gives 12 tracks * 2 * 4 segments * 29 sectors == 2784 sectors.
+
+ So _F_t_a_p_e choose to report the real number of sectors that cannot be
+ used on the tape, while DOS gives a more optimistic number giving a
+ better indication of tape quality. (_F_t_a_p_e_'_s behavior might change in
+ the future to detect correct formatting and display the separate
+ numbers. It has rather low priority though).
+
+ QIC-3010 are alike QIC-3020 tapes regarding this.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..77.. IIss iitt ookk tthhaatt II''mm nnoott hheeaarriinngg tthhee ttaappee mmoovvee wwhheenn II ddoo aa ffssff oorr
+ aa bbssff wwiitthh mmtt??
+
+
+ Yes. The driver merely updates an internal counter when those
+ commands are issues. The tape should move to the proper location on
+ the next read or write access to the tape drive.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..88.. WWhhyy ddooeess mmyy XXYYZZ bbaacckkuupp pprrooggrraamm ccoommppllaaiinn aabboouutt ""IInnvvaalliidd aarrgguu--
+ mmeenntt"" eerrrroorrss??
+
+
+ zftape requires the data to be written in multiples of a fixed minimal
+ block size. This is a very usual behavior for a tape device. There are
+ three ways to get rid of those errors:
+
+ +o set _F_t_a_p_e_'_s block size to the block size used by the backup
+ program. The example below works for "afio":
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 5120
+
+
+
+
+ +o If you don't want to use _F_t_a_p_e_'_s built in compression you can also
+ use
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 setblk 0
+
+
+
+
+ to switch _F_t_a_p_e to variable block size mode and be able to write the
+ data in arbitrary portions to the tape (BUT: the builtin compression
+ doesn't work with this setting). When you intend to use "KBackup" then
+ this is the only way to make it work together with _F_t_a_p_e (it _may_
+ work, don't know if it does)
+
+ +o tell your backup program about _F_t_a_p_e_'_s default block size of 10k
+ (which is also the default of GNU tar). For "afio" you can use the
+ following command line switch:
+
+
+ afio -b 10k ...
+
+
+
+
+ You may want to read the section "Tape blocks" of the manual (use its
+ "Concept index" to directly jump to that section)
+
+ When using GNU tar's builtin compression with GNU tar versions prior
+ to tar-1.12 one needs to run tar with the --block-compress switch to
+ re-block the output to the tape. Otherwise tar will compress the data
+ it reads, and write it in arbitrary portions to the tape.
+
+
+
+ Example :
+
+ tar -czvf /dev/qft0 --block-compress /etc
+
+
+
+
+ WWAARRNNIINNGG:: One shouldn't use tar's builtin compression with large
+ backups as it makes the entire data stream one huge compressed block.
+ If such archives are corrupted right at the beginning it will be very
+ difficult to recover.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..99.. II//OO eerrrroorrss aanndd FFDDCC -- ssoommee eexxppllaannaattiioonnss..
+
+
+ When you get next messages, this could be interesting for you !
+
+
+ +o fdc-io.c (ft_handle_perpend) - Your FDC does not support QIC-3020.
+
+ +o Cannot write to /dev/qft0: I/O error
+
+ The explanations:
+
+ "FDC" menas "Floppy Disk Controller". The problem is that your floppy
+ disk controller must be able to support something that is called
+ "perpendicular mode" to be able to read and write QIC-3020/QIC-3010
+ cartridges (i.e. TR-3 cartridges). To my knowledge all FDCs that are
+ capable of at least 1Mbit/sec data transfer rate also support
+ "perpendicular mode" ("perpendicular" refers to the direction of
+ magnetization of the ferro-magnetic particles on the tape).
+
+ This means that you need to purchase another FDC. Either look around
+ some computer stores and ask for an IO controller cards that is able
+ to support 2.88 Mb floppies (which imlies 1Mbit data transfer rate and
+ perpendicular mode).
+
+ Or get one of the so called "high speed" controllers that even support
+ 2Mbit/sec data transfer rate. Those controllers are based on an Intel
+ 82078 FDC. Iomega sells such a card under the name "Ditto Dash". I
+ think Exabyte sells their 2Mbit controllers separately, too, whereas
+ Seagate ships its TR-3 drives (i.e. the TST-3200) together with such a
+ controller.
+
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1100.. WWhhyy ddoo II ggeett ""//ddeevv//qqfftt00:: NNoo ssuucchh ddeevviiccee"" eerrrroorrss??
+
+
+ I assume that the following is the problem: The _F_t_a_p_e module is loaded
+ OK into the kernel:
+
+
+ /usr/src/ftape-3.03b-970603# lsmod
+ Module Pages Used by
+ ftape 22 0
+
+
+
+
+ but then this happens:
+
+
+ $ ftmt -f /dev/qft0 status
+ ftmt: /dev/qft0: No such device
+
+
+
+
+ Solution You need to load the _z_f_t_a_p_e_._o module as well. With Ftape-3.*
+ the _f_t_a_p_e_._o module doesn't implement the VFS interface. This is done
+ by _z_f_t_a_p_e_._o.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1111.. II ggeett ""ddeevviiccee bbuussyy"" wwhheenn II mmaakkee mmuullttiippllee bbaacckkuuppss oonn aa ttaappee
+ uussiinngg ssoommee ssccrriipptt..
+
+
+ The "device busy" messages can only occur while the _F_t_a_p_e _d_e_v_i_c_e_s are
+ still held open by some program. As soon as the close() system call
+ has completed the busy flag is cleared. May be "bru" or some other
+ program has still forked off a child that dies delayed?
+
+ Yes, this will reproduce the problem, it seems:
+
+
+ tar -cvvzf /dev/nqft0 --block-compress ; mt rewind
+
+
+
+
+ You can skip the "--block-compress" if using the most recent version
+ of GNU tar.
+
+ However, this is not a bug of _F_t_a_p_e. It seems that the parent tar
+ process exits before its child has closed the tape device. I know,
+ however, from hacking the tar code ages ago, that tar properly waits
+ for its parent to die.
+
+ However, the busy message simply means that the "busy" variable is
+ still held at 1 (zftape/zftape-init.c). And this simply means that
+ there still is a process hanging around that holds the tape device
+ open.
+
+ I think I have it (only for the case of tar 'cause I have the source
+ code.
+
+ If on uses tar with compression, then it forks a child which will
+ become the compressor bei execing "gzip" or whatever. Before the call
+ to execlp() the child will fork off a grand child of its parent tar.
+ That grandchild will do the actual tape I/O.
+
+
+ tar - fork() - write to child tar
+ |
+ child tar - fork() - gzip (will pipe to grand child tar)
+ |
+ grand child tar - open archive.
+
+
+
+
+ Now, parent tar only waits for its child to die. gzip surely doesn't
+ wait for the grand child as the gzip is a result of an execlp().
+
+ What I don't know is whether the grand child should be implicitly
+ waited for by the parent tar, or if the wait() function also waits for
+ grand childs.
+
+ But this seems to be the problem: the parent tar already has exited
+ while its grandchild still is busy closing the archive. One hardly
+ will notice this problem if the close() happens fast (i.e. regular
+ files, block devices, also other tape devices?), but it isn't a bug in
+ _F_t_a_p_e, but either in the backup programs or in the kernel or maybe
+ libc exit code.
+
+ Don't know if the considerations above also apply to bru. If there is
+ no grandchild and the parent process properly waits for its childs
+ then there shouldn't be a problem.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1122.. HHooww ddoo II ""......"" wwiitthh ttaarr??
+
+
+ These are really tar questions: Please read the man page and the info
+ page. If you have not got it either, try
+
+
+ tar --help 2>&1 | less
+
+
+
+
+ If your version of tar is v1.11.1 or earlier, consider upgrading to
+ v1.11.8 - This version can call GNU zip directly (i.e.: it supports
+ the -z option) and has an elaborate help included. Also, it compiles
+ right out of the box on Linux.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1133.. WWhhaatt bblloocckk--ssiizzee sshhoouulldd II uussee wwiitthh ttaarr ??
+
+
+ When using compression, and in all general, it can be a benefit to
+ specify to tar, that it should block the output into chunks. Since
+ _F_t_a_p_e cuts things into 29Kbyte blocks, saying `-b58' should be
+ optimum.
+
+ "Why 29Kbyte?", I hear you cry. Well, the QIC-80 standard specifies
+ that all data should be protected by an Error Correcting Code (ECC)
+ code. The code specified in the QIC-80 standard is known as a Reed-
+ Solomon (R-S) code. The R-S code takes 29 data bytes and generates 3
+ parity bytes. To increase the performance of the ECC code, the parity
+ bytes are generated across 29 1Kbyte sectors. Thus, _F_t_a_p_e takes
+ 29Kbytes of data, adds 3Kbytes of ECC parity, and writes 32Kbytes to
+ the tape at a time. For this reason, _F_t_a_p_e will always read and write
+ 32K byte blocks to be able to detect (and correct) data errors.
+
+ If you are curious, and wish to know more, look in the ecc.c and ecc.h
+ files, for an explanation of the code and a reference to a textbook on
+ Reed-Solomon codes.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1144.. WWhheerree ccaann II ffiinndd tthhee ttaarr//mmtt//ccppiioo//dddd bbiinnaarriieess -- ssoouurrcceess -- mmaann--
+ ppaaggeess??
+
+
+ All of these tools have been developed by the GNU project, and the
+ source (and man page) can be fetched from just-about any ftp site in
+ the world (including ftp.funet.fi, tsx-11.mit.edu, and
+ sunsite.unc.edu). In any case they can be fetched from the official
+ GNU home site: prep.ai.mit.edu [18.71.0.38]:/pub/gnu. The latest
+ versions (as of September 12 1996) are:
+
+
+
+ cpio: 2.4.2 (cpio-2.4.2.tar.gz)
+ dd: 3.13 (fileutils-3.13.tar.gz)
+ mt: 2.4.2 (cpio-2.4.2.tar.gz)
+ tar: 1.11.8 (tar-1.11.8.tar.gz)
+ gzip: 1.2.4 (gzip-1.2.4.tar.gz)
+
+
+
+
+ They all compile out of the box on Linux v1.0.4 / libc v4.5.19 / gcc
+ v2.5.8.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1155.. IIff II uussee ttaappeerrss ccoommpprreessssiioonn,, iiss iitt aa bbaadd iiddeeaa ttoo uussee tthhee ccoomm--
+ pprreessssiioonn wwiitthh zzffttaappee,, oorr wwoouulldd iitt bbee bbeetttteerr ttoo nnoott uussee ttaappeerrss ccoommpprreess--
+ ssiioonn,, aanndd lleett zzffttaappee ddoo iitt??
+
+
+ It is not bad as such to compress data twice (which would be the case
+ when using tapers compression together with _z_f_t_a_p_e_'_s compression) but
+ it doesn't make any sense. You won't gain much further compression,
+ but only waste CPU cycles.
+
+ Tapers compression should be quite safe, as taper compresses single
+ files; in contrast to _t_a_r _-_c_z_f _._._. which makes the entire data stream
+ a large compressed block of data, which is really a bad thing with
+ serious backups as a single bad byte at the beginning of the archive
+ can make the entire archive unusable, well, it will be at least quite
+ difficult to recover.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1166.. HHooww ddooeess zzffttaappee ccoommpprreessssiioonn ccoommppaarree ttoo ssaayy ggzziipp --99??
+
+
+ _g_z_i_p _-_9 is better (i.e. one gains higher compression). _z_f_t_a_p_e_'_s
+ compression is comparable with the Un*x _c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s program, but should
+ be faster, and is faster than _g_z_i_p.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1177.. II ddoonn''tt ttrruusstt ccoommpprreessssiioonn,, bbuutt hheeaarr tthhaatt tthhee ssffttaappee iinntteerrffaaccee
+ iiss ggooiinngg aawwaayy.. WWhhaatt sshhoouulldd II ddoo??
+
+
+ Use the _z_f_t_a_p_e _i_n_t_e_r_f_a_c_e, but don't load the _z_f_t_-_c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s_o_r _m_o_d_u_l_e.
+ The device then becomes /dev/qft0.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1188.. FFttaappee ssaayyss ""TThhiiss ttaappee hhaass nnoo ''LLiinnuuxx rraaww ffoorrmmaatt""
+
+
+ You get this complaint if you haven't _e_r_a_s_e_d your freshly formatted
+ tape. This is because _F_t_a_p_e expect a "magic header" on the tape, to
+ be able that it is allowed to interpret the header segment in its own
+ way (eg: file marks). To remove the problem, say
+
+ mt -f /dev/nftape erase
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..1199.. CCaann II eexxcchhaannggee ttaappeess wwiitthh ssoommeeoonnee uussiinngg DDOOSS??
+
+
+ No. The DOS software conforms to the QIC-80 specs about the layout of
+ the DOS filesystem, and it should(?) be a small problem to write a
+ program that can read/write the DOS format. In fact, I'd bet that
+ creating a nice user interface would be a bigger problem.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2200.. HHooww ddooeess ``mmtt eeoomm'' wwoorrkk wwhheenn yyoouu''vvee ssttaarrtteedd oovveerrwwrriittiinngg aa ttaappee
+ iinn tthhee mmiiddddllee??
+
+
+ (EOM is "End Of recorded Media", the position right after all data
+ already recorded to the tape)
+
+ One cannot use tape "files" like files on an ordinary file system.
+
+ In principle, a tape doesn't allow anything but appending new data at
+ EOM. However, if one positiones just in the middle of the already
+ recorded data AND starts writing, then the driver first deletes all
+ following files (thus moving the EOM to the actual position) and then
+ starts writing.
+
+ Thus, the new EOM after finishing the write process, is then after the
+ newly recorded data.
+
+ One of the consequences of the above is, of course, that writing to
+ the tape in the middle of the already recorded area, is destructive in
+ the sense, that it not only overwrites the "file" the tape is
+ positioned at, but also deletes all following files.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2211.. WWhheenn II mmaaddee bbaacckkuuppss bbeeffoorree uussiinngg ttaappeerr,, uunnddeerr tthhee 22..00..2299 ffttaappee
+ mmyy ddrriivvee ddiiddnn''tt ssuuppppoorrtt ffssff,, uunnddeerr tthhee nneeww zzffttaappee iitt ddooeess,, wwhhyy wwoouulldd
+ tthhiiss bbee,, aanndd wwhhaatt eexxaaccttllyy iiss ffssff ??
+
+
+ It probably didn't work before because you didn't use a
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/rft0 erase
+
+
+
+
+ before writing data to the cartridge. THIS ISN'T necessary any more.
+
+ But, hey, what does _m_t _f_s_f? Tape drives don't store files in the sense
+ that you can use
+
+ cp somefile /dev/my_what_ever_tape
+
+
+ or be able to mount the tape drive like you could mount a harddisk.
+ You can't do nothing with a tape drive but write data to it in a
+ sequential manner.
+
+ As this is quite inconvenient, somebody invented something which is
+ known under the name _f_i_l_e _m_a_r_k or _e_o_f _m_a_r_k (eof == End Of File). Those
+ marks don't separate files that have been backed up to the tape
+ device, but only separate blocks of data (whatever data that might
+ be).
+
+ Normally, the kernel tape device drivers take care of writing file
+ marks when the tape device is closed, i.e.
+
+
+ tar -cf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+ tar -cf /dev/nqft0 /etc
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 rewind
+
+
+
+
+ would result in a backup of all files under _/_b_i_n and _/_e_t_c. When the
+ first _t_a_r finishes, the kernel driver will take care of writing a file
+ mark to the tape at the the current tape position, and when the second
+ _t_a_r process has finished, another file mark is written to the tape
+ cartridge at that position.
+
+ Now, the sense of those file marks is, that it is possible to skip
+ between different archives on the tape more quickly than would be
+ possible with reading the data back.
+
+ The commands to do that are:
+
+ mmtt ffssff
+ fast skip to the next file mark towards EOT (End Of Tape)
+
+ mmtt bbssff
+ fast skip to the next file marks towards BOT (Begin Of Tape)
+
+ Thus, to extract the second archive in the example above, one doesn't
+ need to read the first archive back, but can proceed as follows:
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 rewind
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+ tar -xvf /dev/nqft0
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2222.. WWhhaatt eexxaaccttllyy iiss tthhee ddiiffffeerreennccee bbeettwweeeenn ffttaappee,, aanndd zzffttaappee??
+
+
+ When _F_t_a_p_e was young there were two versions of the floppy tape
+ driver, one of them was called _z_f_t_a_p_e because of its built-in user-
+ transparent on-the-fly compression. Whether such a thing is a feature
+ or a bug ('cause this needn't be done in kernel space) is another
+ question. However, the ioctl interface and file mark handling provided
+ by _z_f_t_a_p_e was much better and had less bugs. And _z_f_t_a_p_e allows to use
+ floppy tape cartridges with different OS. Well, you can't exchange
+ data, but _z_f_t_a_p_e won't overwrite volumes created by your Windoze
+ program, and vice versa.
+
+ Nowadays, _F_t_a_p_e is name of the entire floppy tape driver package AND
+ _f_t_a_p_e_._o is the file-name of the kernel module that implements the low-
+ level hardware support. _z_f_t_a_p_e has ceased to exist as a separate
+ package, but the new _F_t_a_p_e versions (since ftape-3.00) contain a
+ _z_f_t_a_p_e_._o module that needs to be loaded on top of _f_t_a_p_e_._o (i.e. you
+ need to load BOTH modules to be able to access your floppy tape drive)
+ and implements the file system interface and the advanced (?) features
+ of the previous verions _z_f_t_a_p_e.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2233.. WWhhaatt iiss tthhee ddiiffffeerreennccee bbeettwweeeenn aa rreewwiinnddiinngg,, aanndd nnoonn rreewwiinnddiinngg
+ ddrriivvee??
+
+
+ Well, the rewinding tape devices rewind the tape to BOT (Begin Of
+ Tape) when the device is closed, i.e.
+
+
+ tar -cvf /dev/qft0 /bin
+
+
+
+
+ will rewind the tape cartridge when the tar job has finished. In con-
+ trast,
+
+
+ tar -cvf /dev/nqft0 /bin
+
+
+
+
+ will NOT rewind the tape cartridge and leave the tape R/W head at its
+ current position.
+
+ Rewinding devices should be used when performing a single backup, non-
+ rewinding devices can be useful when doing multiple backups as one
+ doesn't need to space to EOM (End Of recorded Media) before appending
+ another archive.
+
+ Non-rewinding devices MUST be used when sending any of the tape motion
+ command to the tape drive, such as
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/nqft0 fsf
+
+
+
+
+ , because when the _m_t process finishes then the tape device is closed
+ which would result in rewinding the cartridge with the rewinding
+ devices.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2244.. CCaann ssoommeeoonnee tteellll mmee hhooww ttoo uussee mmtt ttoo rreewwiinndd mmyy TTRR--33 ddrriivvee oonnee
+ rreeccoorrdd uussiinngg zzffttaappee rreeccoorrdd,, ssoo II ccaann vveerriiffyy iitt??
+
+
+ Well, it depends. If the tape is still positioned inside the volume
+ just written, "mt bsf 1" (or equivalently "mt bsf") will backspace
+ just to the beginning of that volume (this is how "tar --verify"
+ works). If the tape is already positioned AFTER the filemark that
+ marks the end of the last written volume, then you need to issue "mt
+ bsf 2"
+
+ The logic behind this is as follows: "MTBSF count" backspaces over
+ count file marks, stops, and then positions on the EOT side of the
+ last skipped file mark. This means, an "mt bsf 2" will position right
+ at the beginning of the previous volume.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2255.. BByy nnoonn--rreewwiinnddiinngg,, tthheeyy mmeeaann tthhaatt iitt ddooeessnn''tt aauuttoommaattiiccaallllyy
+ rreewwiinndd,, ccoorrrreecctt?? IItt ddooeessnn''tt mmeeaann tthhaatt uunnddeerr nnoo cciirrccuummssttaanncceess iitt wwiillll
+ rreewwiinndd,, rriigghhtt?? II ttrriieedd uussiinngg //ddeevv//zzqqfftt00,, aanndd iitt iinnssttaannttllyy rreewwiinnddss tthhee
+ ttaappee..
+
+
+ You are right: auto-rewind means, the tape is rewound when the tape
+ device is closed, non-rewinding means, the tape isn't automatically
+ rewound when the tape device is closed (but you can, of course, use
+ the tape motion commands BSF/FSF etc. to position the tape head at
+ every position you like).
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2266.. WWhhaatt iiss tthhee ddiiffffeerreennccee bbeettwweeeenn wwhhaatt mmtt ccoonnssiiddeerrss aa rreeccoorrdd aanndd
+ wwhhaatt iitt ccoonnssiiddeerrss aa ffiillee??
+
+
+ A record is the minimal amount of bytes that will be accepted by the
+ tape in one read/write operation (except in "variable block size mode"
+ where it just should be the amount of data actually written in a
+ single write operation??).
+
+ For _z_f_t_a_p_e every read and write access has to be a multiple of a fixed
+ block size (fixed, but tunable with MTSETBLK). This block size is a
+ "tape record" (as mentioned in the GNU mt man page and defaults to
+ 10kb for _z_f_t_a_p_e.
+ A "file" (in the sense of the mt man page) is a, well, misleading
+ terminus. What is meant is an area of the tape between two file marks.
+ This is not a file like a file on the file system, in the sense that
+ it could have a name, file access modes, could be moved or copied with
+ cp, mv, rm etc.
+
+ Instead, It simply is the area of the tape that was recorded in one
+ backup session, its end is marked by a tape file mark, and its
+ beginning is delimited by either BOT or the file mark of the previous
+ tape "file". That tape "files" are the things that can be skipped with
+ the MTBSF/FSF commands.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2277.. RReeuussiinngg ttaappeess wwiitthh zzffttaappee wwiitthhoouutt rreeffoorrmmaattttiinngg tthhee ttaappee..
+
+
+ We try to answer the followong questions :
+
+ +o Is there a good way to erase, as in remove the data or at least the
+ volumes from a tape, without reformating?
+
+ +o Can you overwrite the last volume on a tape with making a mess out
+ of it?
+
+ +o Can you overwrite the last several volumes without making a mess?
+
+ +o Can you delete the last volume?
+
+ If you want to "erase" an entire cartridge, then simply do:
+
+
+
+ mt -f /dev/qft0 erase
+
+
+
+
+ This will erase the volume table (i.e. the "file marks").
+
+ Pre-ftape-3.x releases of zftape and ftape used to allow overwriting
+ of already existing volumes on a cartridge. I have removed this
+ feature as it was reported that it already has caused data-loss with
+ some backup programs.
+
+ If you indeed need to remove some volumes on the tape then you should
+ use the
+
+
+
+ vtblc
+
+
+
+
+ program that comes with the ftape-tools package which can be down-
+ loaded from the same locations as the ftape kernel driver package.
+ Please refer to the documentation which is contained in the ftape-
+ tools package for more information.
+
+ If you simply want to reuse old tapes, then it suffices to do
+
+
+
+
+ mt rewind
+
+
+
+
+ If the tape is at BOT (Begin Of Tape) then every write access to the
+ tape will silently erase all file marks and overwrite the data already
+ existing on the tape.
+
+
+
+
+ 1111..2288.. TThhiiss ssccrriipptt iimmpplleemmeennttss aa ssiimmppllee ccoonntteennttss lliissttiinngg ffoorr tthhee
+ zzffttaappee ppaacckkaaggee uussiinngg tthhee ""MMTTIIOOCCVVOOLLIINNFFOO"" iiooccttll..
+
+
+ Here is as little perl/bash script that lists the contents of a
+ cartridge using the _z_f_t_a_p_e specific "volinfo" ioctl. Hope this shows
+ how to handle this kind of stuff.
+
+ What it basically does is the following:
+
+
+ 1. Rewind the cartridge
+
+ 2. Issue the volinfo command:
+
+
+ claus@thales:~$ mt volinfo
+ file number = 1
+ block size = 10240
+ physical space used = 522.0 kilobytes
+ real size of volume = 520.0 kilobytes
+
+
+
+
+ Parse the ouput and place the values in appropriate variables
+
+ 3. Skip to the next volume with "mt fsf"
+
+ 4. Exit if this gives an error (EOD), otherwise "goto 2)"
+
+ TThhee PPeerrll SSccrriipptt
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ #!/usr/bin/perl
+ #
+ # Copyright (C) 1997 Claus-Justus Heine
+ #
+ # This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ # it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ # the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+ # any later version.
+ #
+ # This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ # but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ # MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+ # GNU General Public License for more details.
+ #
+ # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ # along with this program; see the file COPYING. If not, write to
+ # the Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+ #
+ # This script implements a simple contents listing for the zftape
+ # package using the MTIOCVOLINFO ioctl.
+ #
+
+ $version = <