Specifying Tape Density, Block Size, and Capacity

In most cases, Backup Server uses a default tape density and block size that are optimal for your operating system; SAP recommends that you use these defaults.

You can specify a density, block size, and capacity for each dump device. You can also specify the density, blocksize, and capacity options in the with clause for all dump devices. Characteristics that are specified for an individual tape device take precedence over those that you specify using the with clause.

See the Reference Manual: Commands

• Overriding the Default Density
  The dump and load commands use the default tape density for your operating system. In most cases, this is the optimal density for tape dumps.
• Overriding the Default Block Size
  The blocksize parameter specifies the number of bytes per I/O operation for a dump device.
• Specifying Tape Capacity for Dump Commands
  For UNIX platforms that cannot reliably detect the end-of-tape marker, you must indicate how many kilobytes can be dumped to a tape.
• Nonrewinding Tape Functionality for Backup Server
  The nonrewinding tape functionality automatically positions the tape at the end of valid dump data, which saves time when you perform multiple dump operations.