Installation guide

Table F–1: The tapex Options and Option Parameters (cont.)
tapex Flag Flag and Parameter Descriptions
−d
Tests the ability to append records to the media. First, the
test writes records to the tape. Then, it repositions itself back
one record and appends additional records. Finally, the test
does a read verification. This test simulates the behavior of
the tar −r command. The following parameters can be used
with the −d flag:
−no_overwrite
Prevents the append-to-media test
from being performed on tape
devices that do not support this
test. Usually, you use this
parameter with the −E flag.
−tar_num
Specifies the number of additional
and appended records.
−tar_size
Specifies the record size for all
records written in this test.
−e
Specifies EOM test. First, this test writes data to fill a tape;
this action can take some time for long tapes. It then
performs reads and writes past the EOM; these actions
should fail. Finally, it enables writing past the EOM, writes to
the tape, and reads back the records for validation purposes.
The following parameters can be used with the −e flag:
−end_num
Specifies the number or records to
be written past EOM. (Note that
specifying too much data to be
written past EOM can cause a
reel-to-reel tape to go off line.)
−end_rs
Specifies the record size.
−E
Runs an extensive series of tests in sequential order.
Depending on tape type and CPU type, this series of tests can
take up to 10 hours to complete.
−f /dev/rmtl
#? Specifies the name of the device special file that corresponds
to the tape unit being tested. The number sign variable (
# )
specifies the unit number. The question mark variable (
? )
specifies the letter h for the high density device or l for the
low density device. The default tape device is /dev/rmt0h.
F–14 Using the System Exercise Tools