Tape Autoloader on 2.4 Linux

Rob Fantini explains how he got an autoloader tape unit working on RedHat Linux

This info may not be clearly written, but shows what I did to get autoloaders working on 2.4 linux.

Part 1: Kernel must support luns

  • use or make a kernel with CONFIG_SCSI_MULTI_LUN=y kernel must probe for scsi luns on boot.
  • install rpm mtx - software to manipulate autoloaders..
  • figure out the device names for /dev/st? and /dev/sg? see part 2.
  • use a script like the one in part 3.

Part 2: notes on device names

  • st0 = 1-st tape drive
  • st1 = 2-nd tape drive etc..
  • sg0 = 1-st generic scsi device
  • sg1 ...
  • sg2 = 3-rd etc...

From /proc/scsi/scsi: 
Attached devices:
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 03 Lun: 00
  Vendor: SEAGATE  Model: DAT    06240-xyz Rev: 8160
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI SCSI revision: 03
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 09 Lun: 00
  Vendor: SEAGATE  Model: DAT    06241-xyz Rev: 8110
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI SCSI revision: 03
Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 09 Lun: 01
  Vendor: SEAGATE  Model: DAT    06241-xyz Rev: 8110
  Type:   Medium Changer                   ANSI SCSI revision: 03
Host: scsi1 Channel: 00 Id: 00 Lun: 00
  Vendor: TDK      Model: CDRW4800B        Rev: S7D5
  Type:   CD-ROM                           ANSI SCSI revision: 02

so

  • st0 = Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 03 Lun: 00
  • st1 = Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 09 Lun: 00
  • sg0 = Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 03 Lun: 00
  • sg1 = Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 09 Lun: 00
  • sg2 = Host: scsi0 Channel: 00 Id: 09 Lun: 01

Thus the changer on the autoloader = sg2 .

That scsi assignment changes depending on add/rmv devices, or i think changing the ide cdrom from hdd to hdb

Part 3: script to do backups

# /u4/fbc/adm/Tape/mtx-tar   

# TAR: note  need  '.'  before path to eliminate  'tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors'


# 07-2002: use  mtx to manipulate  dds4 autoloader, #  then backup system.

DAY=`date +%A`
echo $DAY

set -x
/u4/fbc3/adm/TapeRpt  # clear report file

mtx -f /dev/sg2 unload  ## no harm if already unloaded.
                        ## in any case load does not auto unload.

case $DAY in
        Monday)         mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 1;; 

        Tuesday)        mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 2;;

        Wednesday)      mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 3;;

        Thursday)       mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 4;;

        Friday)         mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 5;;

        Sunday|Saturday) mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 6; # cleaning cartridge, unloads auto aft cleaning
                        mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 1;;

#       Sunday)         mtx -f /dev/sg2 load 1;;
esac


###  uncomment for debugging:
#mtx -f /dev/sg2 status >> /u4/fbc3/adm/TapeRpt ## cron err our also to this

##  09-04-2002, added next line, incase called from cmd line
cd /

tar -cv --exclude-from /u4/fbc/adm/Tape/exclude_files.lst -f  /dev/st1  ./

cat /u4/fbc3/adm/TapeRpt  |   mail -s "MasterBkup report" rob

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© January 2003 Rob Fantini All rights reserved

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