tctl: Tape Control (IBM RS/6000 only)

The IBM RS/6000 does NOT have an mt command. Instead, it has the tctl command, which uses the same options as the SunOS mt command.

tctl [-f /dev/tape]command [count]

tape is the name of the device which is used. Often, the following devices represent the following hardware:

• /dev/tape: 1/4 inch cartridge tape.
• /dev/nrtape: 1/4 inch cartridge, which does not rewind after writing a file onto it.
• /dev/8mm: the 8mm tape drive.
• /dev/nr8mm: the 8mm tape drive, with the no rewind option after writing a file onto it.

command can be any of:

1. rewind: rewinds the tape to the beginning.
2. retension: forwards the tape to the end, then rewinds it. This gives it the original tension, thus preventing read/write errors.
3. erase: erase the entire tape.
4. fsf: forward space file. One file is the default (change the default value by assigning count a value).
5. bsf: backward space file.