Tar file: extracting files

[cptk]

I have a Solaris 8 tar file containing files with prefixes all starting with /opt/somedir/blahblah... But unfortunately I can't extract the blahblah files to another workstation because I don't have root access to the /opt/ directory...and I can't temporary create /opt/somedir/.

Is there a way to extract the files and in effect ignore the leading /opt/somedir directory?

HISTORY:
Basically, what happen was that I needed to back-up my entire home directory (/opt/somedir/....) to copy to a new box. But the new box's "home" directory structure is setup a little differently compared to the older box-- it's now /export/home/somedir.

Can I use the arch cmd? How in an extract?

Yes, I know I should of been a little more careful by first cding to the /opt/somedir/ directory before creating the tar file!

Thanks ...

 

[fredericofonseca]

tar -xvA tarfile

"A" option if available in Solaris will remove the absolute pathname, and extract to the current directory.
If not available then do a "man tar" to see which one will be




Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[fredericofonseca]

and CPTK, it is vary unwise to post the same question on two foruns.

Do avoid it.


Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[aixmurderer]

You can also untar it in your preferred directory with no problems, it will simply create a /opt/ and subdirs in your present dir. Then navigate into the /opt/somedir/ and mv the subdirs to wherever you want them.

IBM Certified Confused - MQSeries
IBM Certified Flabbergasted - AIX 5 pSeries System Administration
MS Certified Windblows Rebooter

 

[Annihilannic]

That's not true on Solaris aixmurderer. If you create a tar with full path names the files will always be extracted relative to root.

One way to get around it is to do the following:

[tt]mkdir /destdir
cp /usr/sbin/static/tar /destdir
cat /tmp/tarfile.tar | chroot /destdir ./tar xvf -[/tt]



Annihilannic.

 

[dtanner]

Never used it my self but here is a note I saw on this..

There is an easy way to do
this using the "pax" command.
Note: Not available on all
flavors.

Firstly, copy the archive to
the relative location in
which you wish to untar it.

Then, execute the following
command:

pax -r -s ',^/,,' -f file.tar

The contents of file.tar will now
be in the $CWD.


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