UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I have an AIX server with a tape Library residing on it. I intend to restore the data backed up to the tape on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

First , i would want to view the contents of the tape on RHEL 5(x86) but seems to be giving an input output error.
I observed that if i backup to tape on AIX, i can only view the contents of my backup on the AIX server same applies to Linux.

I wish to be able to view contents of the backup done on AIX to tape on my RHEL 5(x86) which i use in accessing the tape library remotely and vice versa.

What software did you use to do the backup ? Tar should work, but I doubt backup/restore would...

What software did you use to write the tape?
What software are you using to read the tape?
If any of this is command line, what did you type and what happened?

Do you have NFS installed and working on both computers?

Tnx for the post.

I did not use any software to write to the tape. I made use of the tar command to write to the tape on AIX Server.

The backup command used was "tar cvf /dev/rmt2 /mybackup

Now viewing the tape from the RHEL5 (x86) server gives input /output error using the command: tar tvf optimum@10.0.0.1: /dev/rmt2
Error: Cannot open: Input/output error
tar:Error is not recoverable: exiting now
where 10.0.0.1 is the IP address of the AIX server Note not real IP address)

I also tried the following command: tar tvf /dev/rmt2
Error: tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now

Hope to get the feedback soonest. Tnx

have you checked for any more detailed error reports in any of the logs in /var/log on the RHEL box ? TBH, it sounds like a hard-error from the drive.

Are you trying to use NFS here? As far as I know you cannot "mount" a tape via NFS.

Code:

tar tvf optimum@10.0.0.1: /dev/rmt2

Well im not sure if it's a hard error. I have backed up to the same tape from RHEL 5 connecting to the tape on the remote AIX server. I also viewed the contents of my tape backup on the RHEL and it was successful. The only issue is not being able to view the contents of the tape having backed up using AIX server. I have a strong feeling that the Linux server communicates well with the tape device on the remote AIX that explains why backup to tape on RHEL5 and viewing contents of tape was made possible. Why then does it give me an input/output related error whenever i view the content of my tape backup(AIX to tape) on RHEL5. Does it mean i can only view the content of my tape using same AIX O/S that i used in writing to the tape on a different Server. I honestly have to view my tape content on the RHEL5 box and eventually restore this tape content on RHEL5 box.