Linux is an operating system developed under the GNU General Public Licence,
and its source code is freely available to developers worldwide. It has become
increasingly popular, and a large number of individuals and companies are
contributing to its expansion by adapting the source code to meet an ever-
increasing range of applications and hardware configurations.

The free and open nature of Linux has resulted in a much less formal
development structure than in most other operating systems. However, as with
most software development cycles, the Linux UNIX® network server operating
system has been subject to a number of major and minor version releases over
time, resulting in a number of different versions of Linux now being in common
use. The current full-featured version of the Linux Kernel is version 2.2, released
in January, 1999.

The Linux Generic Kernel should include all necessary SCSI transport drivers,
and should provide SCSI HBA and SCSI tape support for standard tape devices
without the need for further intervention. Under normal circumstances (unless, that
is, you have built your own non-generic kernel) you should not have to add drivers
to your system. For further details, refer to the answer to the question

"How do I

know what drivers I am using at the moment, and what drivers do I need for
running tape backups?"

Linux does not give native support for the HP SureStore DAT24x6 autoloaders.
The HP SureStore DAT24x6 autoloaders are supported instead by specific drivers
supplied by appropriate commercial Backup Applications. For details, refer to the
answer to the question

"Why does my device not work correctly with ISV Backup

Software, or the Linux in-built backup applet?"

It is clear that, irrespective of the operating system version or tape drive vendor,
problems are sometimes experienced when users attempt to set up Linux systems
to perform tape backups.

This "UNIX Linux Tape Backup Frequently Asked Questions" document attempts
to highlight and resolve issues relative to tape drive backup under the UNIX Linux
environment.

It is recommended that you read the whole of this FAQ document rather than just
specific questions.

Note - Symbios is now owned by LSI Logic.

UNIX® is a registered trademark of X/Open Company in the US and other

countries.

native backup applications

There are a number of tape backup applets written for the Linux operating system.

For details, refer to the answer to the question

"How do I use the built-in Tape

Backup applet provided by Linux?"

Note - Ultrium high performance tape drives: As a general rule, native backup
applications do not provide the required data streaming rate to get the full
performance of your Ultrium drive. We recommend using a backup application,
which provides better memory management as well as other useful features, such
as TapeAlert. HP, Computer Associates, Veritas, Legato and Yosemite all provide
suitable products that have been tested with your Ultrium drives. For the latest list
of backup packages that support your Ultrium drives, please contact your tape
drive or library manufacturer.

first question

Go to the first question

"How do I know what disk drivers I am using at the

moment, and what drivers do I need for running tape backups?"

file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/topher.COL-SPRINGS/Desktop/dltvs80%20manual/document/common/drivers_faqs/eng/ul_home.htm [11/29/2001 8:34:46 AM]

This manual is related to the following products:

Surestore DLT VS80 Tape Drive