How to read/write from/to Virtual Tape Library.

[Bhaarat]

Hi All,

I had installed the MHVTL as per the instructions given on http://sites.google.com/site/linuxvtl2/.

Can you please suggest some document/tutorial having information about how to actually read/write data into this VTL using shell script or a C/C++ program.

Thank You.
Bhaarat.

[Mark Harvey]

Bhaarat wrote

I had installed the MHVTL as per the instructions given on http://sites.google.com/site/linuxvtl2/.

Good to see you have the vtl running.

Bhaarat wrote

Can you please suggest some document/tutorial having information about how to actually read/write data into this VTL using shell script or a C/C++ program.

That will be interesting learning exercise. Most people who use mhvtl already have backup software to write/read to tapes & control library moving of media into / out of tape drives.

I can't say I've had anybody want to write their own backup / archive / HSM type program before.

For some very basic 'tape drive' control, you could look at the 'tapeexerciser.c' supplied with mhvtl. Please do not think this is a good example. But it could start you off in the right direction. Or review the list of backup software : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_backup_software

One thing to note: For performance reasons, you are best to write 64k or 128k blocks of data. 512byte blocks will be very, very slow.

Feel free in posting any code examples here for constructive feedback.