UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I am very new to Unix. We have a Unix workstation that is on a tape backup system setup by an external consultant. However, I need to know how to verify that the backup is actually running and backing up actual data.

When I checked earlier this week, the log file had listed the folllowing:
fbackup(3205): Warning: Unable to read a volume header
fbackup(3024): Writing volume 1 to the output file /dev/rmt/c3t3d0DDS2C

What do these fbackup numbers mean and how can I verify that data is actually getting backed up.

We are using 12/24 tapes HP DDS-3

Thanks in advance, you input is greatly appreciated.
Lindsey

How about listing the tape's contents ?

Code:

tar tvf <your tape drive>

Each message that fbackup and frestore has a number associated with it like that. If HP-UX is running in some other language, the words may change but the number remains the same. So it makes support easier or at least that was the theory.

fbackup(3205): fbackup records a header on a tape. Before writing to a tape, it reads the header. It will refuse to write to a recently written tape or a tape that has been used to often. And it gives you the warning you saw if the tape was never used by fbackup before.

fbackup(3024): fbackup started writing files to your tape. It does not know in advance how many tapes are needed. It always calls the first tape it writes "volume 1".

The best way to verify that files are being backed up is by restoring a few of them.