2026-08-31 12:10 UTC
One detail about tape labels I was unsure about:
In addition to header labels (start of volume, start of dataset), there were trailer labels for the corresponding end, and end of reel. I wondered what happened when a data record was being written and the EOT sensor tripped (reflective marker on the back of the tape, at least 14 feet before the physical end). Some drives I've dealt with immediately give an error and prevent further writing.
5/
Replies (1)
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@brouhaha@mastodon.social 2026-08-31 12:14
That behavior is incompatible with tape labeling, because the write of the last rebored has to be completed, and a trailer label written. IBM's tape controller senses the EOT and reports it to software, but does NOT interfere with writing. The write of the record completes, and the trailer label can be written. 6/