INITIALIZE TAPE command using the ADMIN_CMD procedure

The INITIALIZE TAPE command initializes tapes for backup and restore operations to streaming tape devices. This command is only supported on Windows operating systems.

Authorization

One of the following authorities:

SYSADM
SYSCTRL
SYSMAINT

Required connection

Database

Command syntax

Command parameters

ON device

Specifies a valid tape device name. The default value is \\.\TAPE0. The device specified must be relative to the server.

USING blksize

Specifies the block size for the device, in bytes. The device is initialized to use the block size specified, if the value is within the supported range of block sizes for the device.

The buffer size specified for the BACKUP DATABASE command and for RESTORE DATABASE must be divisible by the block size specified here.

If a value for this parameter is not specified, the device is initialized to use its default block size. If a value of zero is specified, the device is initialized to use a variable length block size; if the device does not support variable length block mode, an error is returned.

When backing up to tape, use of a variable block size is currently not supported. If you must use this option, ensure that you have well tested procedures in place that enable you to recover successfully, using backup images that were created with a variable block size.

When using a variable block size, you must specify a backup buffer size that is less than or equal to the maximum limit for the tape devices that you are using. For optimal performance, the buffer size must be equal to the maximum block size limit of the device being used.

Example

Initialize the tape device to use a block size of 2048 bytes, if the value is within the supported range of block sizes for the device.

CALL SYSPROC.ADMIN_CMD( 'initialize tape using 2048' )

Usage notes

Command execution status is returned in the SQLCA resulting from the CALL statement.