UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi

I am using tar utility to take back up on HPUx and SUN 5.8 servers

yesterday i made some change.....in the cronjob
29 23 * * 1,3,5 echo "`date` COMPLETE BACKUP TAR `uname``hostname`">/dev/rmt/0myn
30 23 * * 1,3,5 tar cvf /dev/rmt/0mny <filesystems>

i am confused with the no rewind and rewind options

now when i am seeing the listing..
tar tvf /dev/rmt/0mny
It is giving error Tar Block size changed....
when i did
tar tvf /dev/rmt/0myn
it is giving error
tar Block size error

please suggest me wht to do..as it is a important back up

Previously i was taking back up with out the rewind ,no rewind option........and it was fine.....

thanks
Prafulla

i had did backup with rewind tape command, it is working as normal. The rewind command i used in HP unix is like this:

mt -t /dev/rmt/0m rew

actually u can set the block size on the command but i am not sure how it exactly look like, u can refer to this command below:

tar cvfb -20 * | remsh 123.456.789.00 dd of=/dev/rmt/0m obs=20b

note:
b=blocksize, dd= drive as directory, 20b=blocksize is 20

i think "tar cvb -20 . "also can work, try this.

Why not just write a small shell script or use the 'touch' command to create this file in the root directory or use the banner command and send notification to a printer? I don't like the no-rewind options for a tape drive. Most of my backups are scheduled to run in cron and I want to know that my tapes are re-wound and at the beginning ready to accept data.