Check the Status of a File or Directory on Tape

Here's another useful task that you can do with the tar command. Check the status of a file on tape.

Archive files and directories into a tarball.
#tar cvfp esofthub.tar cgi-bin ircd zircon popper

Archive file (tarball) onto tape
#tar cvfp /dev/rmt/0 esofthub.tar

Check for status of file (esofthub.tar)
(Default)
#tar tvf /dev/rmt/0

For the second tape device with a tape in it
#tar tvf /dev/rmt/1