restore a directory from a tar backup into a seperate directory

[tracee]

I used the tar command to restore files from one directory to another...but it would hang and nothing would show up in the new directory

tar -xvf/dev/rmt0 directory name /tmp/newdirectoryname

Thanks for your help
Tracee

 

[JSiva]

Hi

I think you would have taken the tar by simply typing the "tar -cvf /dev/rmt0. So whenever you try to restore it will restore to the same path. So create a link with the same name in some other location, extract and unlink the link.

JSiva Om Maha Ganapathiye Namaga!

 

[tracee]

so, whenever I extract the files...it will go to the original path? OK, well I only want to restore one directory on a tape with many directories backed up...I dont want to restore all the directories....wouldnt the tar -cvf /dev/rmt0 grab all the files/directories and restore them? I am not understanding how it works.
Thanks!

 

[rick26]

Tar uses the path name (or file name you supply when creating the tar-file. So tar -cf <device> /mydir can only be restored into /mydir (or a link as mentioned). Path can be checked with tar -tvf <device>.
You could use tar-cvf <device> ./mydir to avoid the problem.

 

[JSiva]

Hi

Yes you can restore only selected files or directories from your tar backup.

see man tar

JSiva Om Maha Ganapathiye Namaga!