Using mvBase Tape Units

This section focuses upon using mvBase tape units (physical and virtual) that have been configured previously for use with mvBase. Most of these tasks are performed at the TCL prompt. Most of these topics assume that you are already logged onto mvBase. Note that several of these topics are written as examples (with associated explanation), while others topics are procedures with numerated steps.

This section contains the following procedures and task-related topics.

Advancing to End of Data	Provides explanation for using the T-EOD command to move a tape forward to the end of the recorded data.
Appending Data to Tape	Provides explanation for using the T-EOD command to append data to a tape.
Attaching a Cartridge Tape Unit	Provides explanation for using the T-ONLINE command to reset the cartridge tape drive, to check that the tape cartridge has been inserted, and to rewind the tape.
Attaching a Tape Unit to a Process	Provides explanation for using the T-ATT, T-SELECT and/or T-ONLINE commands to attach tape units.
Attaching Virtual Tape Links via TCL	Describes the procedure for attaching a previously configured virtual tape link. This must be done at TCL.
Chaining Drives	Provides explanation for chaining a series of 1/4-inch, 4 mm DAT, or floppy tape drives together and selecting them for the same process.
Changing Assignments	Briefly identifies those commands by which to assign a logical tape unit number to each tape drive on the system (SET-TAPE and RESET-TAPE).
Changing Tape Block Size	Provides explanation for the ways in which you can change tape block size, and the associated commands (T-ATT, T-RDLBL and T-READ).
Copying Data Between Two Tape Drives	Provides explanation for using the T-COPY command to copy all or part of a tape to another tape if you have multiple tape drives. See several alternate topics for additional methods of data transfer.
Detaching a Tape or Floppy Disk Unit	Provides explanation for using the T-DET command to detach the currently attached tape unit from your process.
Dumping a File to Tape or Floppy Disk	Provides explanation for using the T-DUMP command to transfer a copy of all or selected file items in random order to tape.
Examining the Contents of a Tape or Floppy Disk	Provides explanation for using the T-READ command to read a tape record and display its contents on the screen or send it to the printer.
Formatting Tape Devices	Provides steps and considerations for formatting various tape devices.
Forwarding the Tape or Floppy Disk	Provides explanation for using the T-FWD command to advance a specified number of tape records or to the End-Of-File mark.
Including Data from Tape or Floppy Disk in Reports	Provides explanation for using the TAPE modifier with any INFO/ACCESS modifier to retrieve data from tape and display it in reports.
Listing Current Device Assignments	Provides explanation for determining the current tape assignments by using the T-WHAT and T-STATUS commands and the associated report.
Moving a Tape or Floppy Disk Backward	Provides explanation for using the T-BCK command to move the tape or floppy disk backward for a specified number of records or to a previous End-Of-File mark.
Moving to a Specified File	Provides explanation for using the T-SPACE Proc to space a tape forward over a specified number of files.
Operating Physical Tape Devices Using T-ONLINE	Describes the procedure for operating physical tape devices previously configured as mvBase tape units.
Positioning the Tape or Floppy Disk	Provides explanation of the commands used to position, rewind and advance the backup medium (physical tape or sectored floppy disk) to specific data blocks or to an End-of-Data or End-Of-File mark.
Reading Tape or Floppy Disk Labels	Provides explanation for using the T-RDLBL command to read a tape label, whether it is at the beginning of a tape, or at the beginning of a file (i.e., after an End-Of-File mark).
Restoring Items from Tape or Floppy Disk	Provides explanation for using the T-LOAD command to restore file items that were previously copied to tape with either the T-DUMP or S-DUMP commands.
Rewinding the Tape or Floppy Disk	Provides explanation for using the T-REW command to rewind a tape to the load point (BOT).
Selecting a Tape Unit	Provides instruction for using the T-SELECT command with various tape units.
Specifying Tape Drive or Floppy Disk Drive Format	Provides explanation for using the T-FORMAT command to rewind the tape unit and to set the tape format.
Transferring Data to and from Other Systems	Examines specific issues that are involved when using tape media to transfer data between computer systems.
Transferring Data via Virtual Tape Links	Describes the procedure for using virtual tape links to transfer data.
Verifying a Tape Unit	Provides instructions for using the T-CHK command to check the file currently located on a tape for parity errors.
Writing an End-Of-File Mark	Provides instruction for using the T-WEOF command to write an End-Of-File mark on the tape at the current position.