Tape device names

In relation to my previous post Tape/device using mt command I decided to include here the tape device names that you'll normally use and encounter.

Before backing up data on a device, you must understand the tape device-naming schema:

First tape device name: /dev/rmt/0
Second tape device name: /dev/rmt/1

rmt = raw magnetic tape device

You can also add special character letter to specify density using following format
/dev/rmt/ZX

Note:

• Z is tape drive number such as 0,1..n
• X can be any one of following (as supported by your device, read the manual of your tape device & controller to see if all of them supported or not):
• l - Low density
• m - Medium density
• h - High density
• u - Ultra density
• c - Compressed density
• n - No rewinding

Example:

To specify the first, drive with high-density with no rewinding use device /dev/rmt/0hn.

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