User Guide

6-10 Ampex 1308911-02
Model No.
Running Head
dd2_format_tape DD-2 Utilities Manual Pages
-format < format_spec>
Specifies how to format the tape. You must provide a -format <format_spec> argument except
when using the -help argument.
The -format <format_spec> argument comprises an eight-element specification ordered as
follows: -format
:fmttype:volid:asize:bsize:layout:spacing:. Each element must be
delineated by colons and included in the specification even if left empty (a space between
colons is not considered empty). Valid parameters for the elements are described below.
asize
: bsize: spacing: parameters are given in units of physical blocks. For DD-2 tapes,
each physical block is 1,199,840 bytes.
fmttype Format type, as indicated by one of the following strings:
Full Specifies a completely-formatted tape, also referred to as a
preformatted tape. Default element values for the Full
option are listed below. A hyphen (-) indicates there is no
default and you must enter a valid value for that element;
typical values for elements that do not have defaults are
shown in brackets.
volid -
asize - [0]
acount - [1]
bsize 0
bcount 0
layout Pack
spacing If field is empty, spacing determined from
cartridge size and drive density
Partial Indicates a partially-formatted tape, also called "format
group A only." Only the first set of group A partitions is
formatted. The set of group A partitions is followed by a
single group B partition that occupies the remainder of the
tape and is formatted on the fly during I/O operations.
Default element values for the Partial option are listed
below. A hyphen (-) indicates there is no default and you
must enter a valid value for that element; typical values for
elements that do not have defaults are shown in brackets.
volid -
asize - [235 minimum value]
acount - [1]
bsize 0
bcount 1
layout Pack
spacing If field is empty, spacing determined from
cartridge size and drive density