Linux Tape Backup with Kernel 2.6.30

[Bill Davidsen]

Jim Duda wrote:
> I apologize if this is the wrong list for this question.  Any advice on 
> the appropriate list is appreciated.
> 
> I'm currently running the Fedora 10 distribution, with my own kernel 
> (various reasons necessary).
> 
> This weekend, I upgraded to kernel 2.6.30; why not the latest (-: 
> With this new kernel, I can no longer do backups to tape.
> 
> I've learned that with 2.6.29+, ide_scsi is no longer supported.
> 
??? As opposed to "no longer working" I guess? Have/will not get to try 2.6.30 
due to time issues, I use it on a few machines for ZIP drives.

> The ide_scsi driver would emulate a scsi tape drive on top of IDE and 
> create /dev/st0.
> 
> I have an Seagate tape drive:
> hdd: Seagate STT20000A, ATAPI TAPE drive
> ide-tape: hdd <-> ht0: Seagate STT20000A rev 8A51
> ide-tape: hdd <-> ht0: 232KBps, 6*54kB buffer, 400ms tDSC
> 
> I could always tar -f /dev/st0 (etc) for backup and restoral.
> 
> With the latest kernel, no ide_scsi means no /dev/st0.
> 
> The kernel documentation states that ide_scsi has been removed because 
> the kernel
> can now write directly to CDROM drives without scsi emulaton.  It makes 
> no mention of tape drives.
> 
> Attempting to use tar with /dev/ht0 (ide_tape) results in the kernel 
> locking up.
> 
> I'm certainly not an expert on how scsi emulation and ide_scsi worked, 
> but I've been using it for a long time without any issues.
> 
> Any information appreciated.  I've spent a couple of days hunting for an 
> answer but I have struck out.
> I didn't know where else to turn but this list.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jim
> 


-- 
Bill Davidsen <davidsen at tmr.com>
   "We have more to fear from the bungling of the incompetent than from
the machinations of the wicked."  - from Slashdot