TCTL, MT(1,C) AIX Commands Reference TCTL, MT(1,C) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- tctl, mt PURPOSE Gives commands to streaming tape. SYNTAX +--- -f$TAPE ---+ +--- 1 ---+ tctl ---| |-- subcmd --| |---| +- -f tapename -+ +- count -+ DESCRIPTION The tctl command gives subcommands to a streaming tape device. If you do not specify the -f flag with tapename, the environment variable TAPE is used. If the environment variable does not exist, tctl uses the device /dev/rmt4. The tapename parameter must be a raw (not block) tape device. You can specify more than one operation with count. The mt command is a synonym for the tctl command. Note: To specify a PS/2 internal tape backup unit with the tctl command, use the -f option and specify the norewind device. Superuser authority is required to use the erase, eof, or weof tctl operations. The ras1 and ras2 subcommands are not supported on the internal tape backup unit. The erase subcommand erases only the first 29K of user data and filemark map. The following example rewinds a PS/2 internal tape backup unit: tctl -f /dev/rst4 rewind PARAMETERS eof Writes count end-of-file markers at the current position on the tape. weof Writes count end-of-file markers at the current position on the tape. fsf Moves the tape forward count files. fsr Moves the tape forward count records. bsf Moves the tape backward count files if the device has backspace capability. Processed November 8, 1990 TCTL, MT(1,C) 1 TCTL, MT(1,C) AIX Commands Reference TCTL, MT(1,C) bsr Moves the tape backward count records if the device has backspace capability. rewind Rewinds the tape. The count parameter is ignored. Note: It is sometimes necessary to issue a reset before issuing a rewind subcommand. offline Places the tape drive off-line. The count parameter is ignored. rewoffl Places the tape drive off-line. The count parameter is ignored. reset Makes the tape drive ready for either read or write access. The count parameter is ignored. erase Erases all contents on the tape and rewinds it. retension Moves the tape to the beginning, the end, and back to the beginning of the tape. If you have excessive read errors during a restore operation, you should run the retension subcommand. If the tape has been exposed to environmental extremes, you should run the retension subcommand before the save operation. Note: This subcommand is available on a PS/2 only. ras1 Performs a checksum on the tape drive. ras2 Checks the capstan speed, verifies the operations of the BOT, EOT, and SAFE sensors, and writes a worst case pattern on the tape and attempts to verify the pattern. status Prints status information about the tape unit. FILES /dev/rmt?? The raw streaming tape interface. RELATED INFORMATION See the following command: "dd." See the ioctl system call and the tape and environ files in AIX Operating System Technical Reference. Processed November 8, 1990 TCTL, MT(1,C) 2