Very Computer

hi.

 > We have this scsci-tapedrive here, and I needed to rewind my
 > tape
 > automatically in a script. (I haven't compiled mt yet..)
 > Now, when I use cat /dev/null > /dev/rmt0, will that do any harm
 > to
 > the data on the tape? (I guess it will, if it's in the middle of
 > a
 > f.x. a tar-file).

 > Is there any better way to do this in an 'easy' way with the
 > standard
 > utils or commands?
i don't know, but in a lot of unix-derivaten is a command mt
mt -f /dev/rmt0 rewind will rewind your tape.
i think in linux will be a command like this also.

 > //jornj

 > --- FIDOGATE 3.3rel
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 > (2:245/126.0)

so long
frank

             =========================================================
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 Could we please at least read the article before we post an answer.

Unless another person has a solution to this guys problem, I can't see
anything other than what he mentioned except to compile mt first and then
rewind the tape.

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Quote:>In the meantime, it's probably a lot safer and just as effective to do the cat
>the other way:

>    cat < /dev/rmt0 > /dev/null 2>&1

Easier still to use

        : < /dev/rmt0

under Bourne-compatible shells.  Only positioning occurs, no reading.

Quote:

>He should compile and install mt.

>In the meantime, it's probably a lot safer and just as effective to do the cat
>the other way:

>    cat < /dev/rmt0 > /dev/null 2>&1

>(the redirect of stderr is because you may get an error because it's at the
>end of the data on the tape)

It can be done much simpler.  If it is indeed a "rewind-on-close" device
then that is what you do, you open it and then you close it:

        < /dev/rmt0

Doesn't even require a command under a real shell, athough you may use
':' if you are superstitious.  There are no errors to be expected either,
just tape drive noise.
--

                      Systems Programmer, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam