Original query:
> We normally run our backups nightly under cron. However, for systems
> with sufficient disk to require a second tape, there is a problem
> with this, as dump/vdump want confirmation from the keyboard when the
> second tape is loaded. Is there a way to provide such input to a
> process started under cron?
Thanks to everyone who responded. It became evident that I should
have provided one more crucial bit of information, namely that we are
not using a tape stacker of any kind, so operator intervention is
required to change the tape. The position in this case was summed up
by alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com, who wrote
I don't think you can get what you want if you're using an
operator to change tapes. If you have a random access or
sequential media changer you may be able to use expect to
read the prompts and then offer the desired response. I
think expect is part of the Tk/Tcl kit. For sequential
media changers an "mt offline" command is enough to get
a tape change. For random access libraries and loaders,
you may want to look at the Media Robot Utility.
So it looks as though we're stuck with it, for the moment at least.
Thanks again
Richard
-----------------------------------
Richard Rogers
Information Technology Services
Staffordshire University
Tel: 01785 (+44 1785) 353395
E-mail: R.M.Rogers_at_staffs.ac.uk
Received on Thu Oct 16 1997 - 15:28:26 NZDT