HP NonStop G-Series - Manual (Page 175)

Guardian User’s Guide — 425266-001
10- 1
10
Using Labeled Tapes
Tapes and the tape drives that run them are an integral part of the operations
environment, because most companies rely on tapes to back up and store critical data.
A labeled tape contains a record at the beginning of the tape that identifies the tape
volume and the files on the tape. If labeled-tape processing is enabled on your system,
you can use labeled tapes with programs such as BACKUP, RESTORE, and FUP.
Compaq supports both ANSI and IBM labeled-tape formats.
You must use a TAPE DEFINE to access a file on a labeled tape. A TAPE DEFINE is a
named set of attributes and values that you use to specify information about a tape file
such as the volume ID, tape density, and operator mount messages.
This section explains how to use the MEDIACOM program to perform routine
operations relating to the tapes and tape drives on your system:
For more information about using MEDIACOM, see the DSM/Tape Catalog Operator
Interface (MEDIACOM) Manual.
MEDIACOM replaces the TAPECOM utility. If you have not yet switched from
TAPECOM and need more information about it, see the Guardian Disk and Tape
Utilities Reference Manual.
Topic Page
How Labeled-Tape Processing Works 10-2
The MEDIACOM Interface 10-2
Tape Processing Modes 10-5
Common Labeled Tape Activities 10-10
Handling Labeled Tape Messages and Requests 10-14
Creating and Modifying Labeled Tapes 10-22
Premounting and Scratching Labeled Tapes 10-28
Compressing a Tape Dump File 10-30
Solving Common Tape Subsystem Problems 10-31