Networker

Re: [Networker] setting block size

2003-08-08 13:20:57
Subject: Re: [Networker] setting block size
From: Yura Pismerov <ypismerov AT TUCOWS DOT COM>
To: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 13:20:49 -0400
Isn't it recommended to keep the default block size 0 (variable length)
in Linux ?


Matt Temple wrote:
>
> This sounds very much like the trouble I cause myself after
> changing the block size via "stinit" on my Linux machine.   Shortly
> after I did this, I needed to recover a file on a tape that was created
> before the block size change.   I don't remember the error messages, but
> Networker clearly couldn't successfully read through the older tapes.
> I was (am) left with a "pre blocksize change" and "post blocksize
> change"
> world.   This is a completely repeatable phenomenon.   Now, if I want
> to recover a file from before the blocksize change, I have to reboot
> the server without running stinit.   What waould hapen to a tape that
> was created with the old regime but had files added during the new
> blocksize
> regime, I'm not sure.  I'd think that Networker could find an
> end-of-tape
> marker and start appending.   But scanning the tape might then be
> problematic.
>
> This last part is just a guess, but it is consistent with what I
> experienced.
> Is this any help?
>
>                                                         Matt Temple
>
> On Friday, Aug 8, 2003, at 10:57 US/Eastern, Teresa Biehler wrote:
>
> > So, I set the environment variable on the Solaris server to lower the
> > block size to 128KB so that Windows and UNIX agree.  I added the
> > following to the top of the networker start up script:
> >
> > NSR_DEV_BLOCK_SIZE_8MM_AIT_3=128
> > export NSR_DEV_BLOCK_SIZE_8MM_AIT_3
> >
> > After making this change, I restarted the server.  I states that the
> > block size for all the AIT-3 devices is 128KB as expected.  Then I
> > labeled a new tape, ran a full back up to it - so far so good.  When I
> > ran scanner on the tape, however, I get this:
> >
> > scanner -v /dev/rmt/5cbn
> > scanner: Opened /dev/rmt/5cbn for read
> > scanner: Rewinding...
> > scanner: Rewinding done
> > scanner: Reading the label...
> > scanner: Reading the label done
> > scanner: SYSTEM error: Tape label read: Bad file number
> > scanner: SYSTEM error: Tape label read: Bad file number
> > scanner: scanning for valid records...
> > scanner: read: -1 bytes : Not enough space
> > scanner: Opened /dev/rmt/5cbn for read
> > scanner: read: -1 bytes : Not enough space
> > .
> > .
> > .
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > scanner: read: 0 bytes
> > .
> > .
> > .
> >
> > Does anyone have any ideas what is going on?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Teresa
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ruzza, Claudio [mailto:claudio.ruzza AT HP DOT COM]
> > Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 8:54 AM
> > To: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
> > Subject: Re: [Networker] setting block size
> >
> > Teresa,
> > Needless to say, the variable name should be modified according to
> > your drives technology.
> > Example: assuming you have SDLT drives, the variable name will become
> > NSR_DEV_BLOCK_SIZE_SDLT
> >
> > In windows 2000 you can set this variable doing some easy steps:
> > Click right on "My computer" and choose Properties
> > Choose "Advanced"
> > Click the "Environment variables" button
> > Click the button "new" in the lower part of "system variables" pane
> > In "variable name" enter the name you have "build up" once you have
> > identified your drive's technology
> > In "variable value" just enter 128
> > Click OK and that's all.
> >
> > Please check that after having set the variable at least one media
> > initialized by those Server/SN has reaaly labeled at 128K. In case it
> > doesn't, there are some additional steps to do, involving registry
> > edit. Check listmail archives, there's a wonderful page about that.
> >
> > In Solaris and any other UNIX flavour the variable must be set as any
> > other environment variable. I'm not a UNIX expert, so I can't be more
> > precise.
> >
> > Hope it helps
> >
> > Claudio Ruzza
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Teresa Biehler [mailto:tpbsys AT RIT DOT EDU]
> >> Sent: venerdЛ 8 agosto 2003 14:05
> >> To: NETWORKER AT LISTMAIL.TEMPLE DOT EDU
> >> Subject: setting block size
> >>
> >>
> >> I've got a Solaris Networker server and I'm trying to set up a Windows
> >> storage node that will share the same tape library.  So, I
> >> want the each
> >> system to be able to read/write tapes written by the other.  Based on
> >> running scanner -v on tapes written by both hosts, I've
> >> determined that
> >> I need to set the block size to 128KB.  So, how do I do this?  In the
> >> admin guide is says to set the environment variable
> >> NSR_DEV_BLOCK_SIZE_DEVICE_NAME.  Where/how do I do this (for both
> >> Solaris and Windows)?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Teresa
> >>
> >>
> >> --
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> >
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> ========================================================
> Matthew Temple                Tel:    617/632-2597
> Director, Research Computing  Fax:    617/632-4012
> Dana-Farber Cancer Inst       mht AT research.dfci.harvard DOT edu
> 44 Binney Street,  JF 314     http://research.dfci.harvard.edu
> Boston, MA 02115              Choice is the Choice!
>
> --
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--
Yuri Pismerov, Sr. System Administrator,
TUCOWS.COM INC. (416) 535-0123  ext. 1352

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