multiple tape backup using tar 1

[zyrag]

i have a filesystem which is currently 14GB in size. With the system configuration as follows:
Machine: RS/6000 J40
OS: AIX 4.2.0.0
Backup device: 4GB 4mm tape drive

Is it possible to use tar to backup the filesystem spanning into multiple tapes? Will the command 'tar -cvf' enough to make a backup spanning into multiple tape?
Had anyone successfully backed up and restored a file from multiple tape media?

IF this is possible, then i should do the backup this way, but i'm also planning to propose to the management a new bakcup device capable of backing up 40/80GB file size in a single tape media (DLT probably, considering the cost). What would you suggest?

Thanks,

 

[usige]

Standard versions of tar on AIX do not support spanning volumns. You could install GNU tar and use the -M option to span vols.

Assuming that the 4mm is an original drive in the J40 I'd vote for the new drive. Old 4mm back up around 500kb - 1mb per second. A new DLT 8000 would backup closer to 6 - 12mb per second.

Hope that helps.

 

[zyrag]

thanks usige, i'll take your advice going for DLT. In the meantime, i'm working on a backup script using the built-in 4mm tape drive by re-grouping the files ( 3GB max. per group) and perform back up by group, 1 tape media each.

thanks again,