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When did you last verify that your backup could be restored? | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 70 comments | Search Discussion
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  • (Score: 2) by isj on Monday November 30 2020, @09:42PM (2 children)

    by isj (5249) on Monday November 30 2020, @09:42PM (#1082567) Homepage

    Yes, if the tapes were created with a plain tar then you can retrieve individual files. The major drawback is that tar is sequential without any central directory so you have to read all the tape block-by-block before you know what is there. It would be a un-fun user experience.

    On tapes you probably want something like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_Tape_File_System [wikipedia.org]

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  • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday November 30 2020, @10:18PM

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday November 30 2020, @10:18PM (#1082582) Journal

    The major drawback is that tar is sequential without any central directory so you have to read all the tape block-by-block before you know what is there.

    That reminds me of a super minicomputer system I used during some college years from 1980 to 82.

    --
    To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.

  • (Score: 2) by Dr Spin on Wednesday December 09 2020, @07:50AM

    by Dr Spin (5239) on Wednesday December 09 2020, @07:50AM (#1085461)

    OK, so recovering a tar archive is slow, but it is reliable. If things have gone so wrong you need the tar version, then at least you know the data is there.

    The moment you start with cleverness, you are taking an unquantified risk.

    I have restored tarred data from tape after 30 years with no problems (more than 1 out of three tapes error free).

    I have had several hard disks power down and never spin up again.

    I have had numerous proprietry software archive solutions from companies that went out of business without open-sourcing their "special" data structure.

    I have a significant number of tapes with data on in a format that is documented somewhere, but I am not too sure where.

    You can always recover tarred data (if the tape is not corrupt) - but it helps if you know which version of tar. You can always tell if the tape is
    corrupt (might take a few days to find out for sure). If you have enough copies, on enough tapes, in enough physical locations, you can get your data back.

    If you trust a cloud provider, I have a slightly used bridge you might want to buy.

    OTOH, there are situations where loss of data might save your ass - that is where backup on CDs can save you.

    --
    Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!