HP OpenVMS Systems

Storage media (tape) interchange?

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The Question is:

 
I have some .dat and .txt files on a VAX running OpenVMS 6.1 and I am trying
to transport them to an NT Server via 4 mm tape.  However, when I save the
files on the tape and then take the tape over to the NT Server, the tape is
seen as either "foreign med
ia" or "blank media".  It is as if the physical format of the tape
("initialize" command) alters the tape so that it is not recognizable on the
NT platform even though I use standard labeling of less than 17 characters..
Likewise, when I try to mount a t
ape from the NT Server on the VAX, the operation does not succeed.  I need
to initialize the tape on the VAX so it the tape drive can be mounted.  Do
you have any recommendations on how to transport these files to the NT
Server?
 
 

The Answer is :

 
  By default, OpenVMS uses ANSI standards for tape labeling.
 
  OpenVMS is quite able and willing to write raw data to tape media, as
  well.  (ANSI tape labels are little more than data records written to
  the tape using the ANSI-specified contents and format for the records.)
 
  One of the usual tools for transfering data around (on media) is tar.
 
  The OpenVMS Wizard would recommend network transfers whenever possible,
  via TCP/IP, Advanced Server (PATHWORKS), SAMBA, or otherwise.
 
  Please contact a Windows NT Wizard for assistance reading standard tapes
  on Microsoft Windows NT.  (The OpenVMS Wizard has been unimpressed with
  the ability of Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 98 to contend reasonably
  with widely-recognized non-Microsoft media standards.)
 

  

     

     
answer written or last revised on ( 23-SEP-1999 )
     
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