Glossary of Terms

Glossary Of Terms
This section contains a glossary of special terms used in this manual and other terms in general.
archive - see tar volume.
blank - The tape block contains no information detectable by the target (no data present).
block - This term refers to the data in one logical block, i.e.: the number of bytes defined per logical block.
block size - This term is the SCSI logical block size of the device, all data must transferred to the device in
multiples of this value. For most tape devices this value can range from 1 byte to 256 Kbytes.
blocking factor - Each tar file written to tape must be padded until the total length is a multiple of the TBF.
TBF is in units of 512 bytes (0.5 KB). NOTE: The tar blocking factor * 512 bytes must be a multiple of the
tape device block size.
fixed block device - In fixed block mode a command is sent to the device informing it that all subsequent
transfers will be multiples of the fixed block size. The maximum transfer is practically unlimited. On the
Onyx it is limited by the maximum dma transfer, 16 MB. Since larger data transfers can be accomplished in
this mode the SCSI/OS overhead is reduced and the overall throughput is improved. Fixed block mode is
preferred in Cineon applications. NOTE: The performance improvement is only seen in fast devices because in slow devices, the device itself is the limiting factor.
variable block device - Each write command to the device determines the block size. The block size is the
number of bytes transferred in one SCSI transfer. The maximum transfer is therefore limited to the maximum
block size (256 KB). This mode is useful for tape backups and small files.
beginning of media - The extreme position along the medium in the direction away from the supply reel
which can be accessed by a tape device.
directory - a UNIX file that contains names of other files and directories.
end of media - The extreme position the medium in the direction away from the take up reel which can be
accessed by the tape device.
environment - the set of characteristics describing a users UNIX work area, including user permissions,
identifications, and environment variables.
environment variable - a variable that is known automatically to subsequent scripts and programs. It is usually defined with the UNIX setenv command.
export - to pass the value of a variable to another program.
Exabyte - Exabyte 8505 / 8500 / 8200 8mm tape storage device.
file - a stream of bytes stored under a unique filename.
filemark - A special recorded element within the medium, containing no user data, which provides a segmentation scheme between blocks of data.
filename - a set of characters that refer to a file.
Byte - This term indicates an 8-bit data type, or 1 character.
Kilo Byte - 1024 Bytes.
Mega Byte - 1024 x 1024 Bytes or 1024 Kilo Bytes
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host - A device with the characteristics of a primary computing device, typically a personal computer or
workstation.
image - the digital result of a scan.
initiator - A SCSI device (usually a host system) that requires an I/O process to be performed by another
SCSI device (a target).
Metrum - Metrum RSP-2150 S-VHS tape storage device
multi-tar volume - multiple files per tar volume (archive).
multi-save group - see multi-tar volume.
parameter - A structure containing one or more fields.
path - the ordered list of directories (stored in $path) that the UNIX shell searches to find commands.
pathname - the names of all the directories that must be traversed to reach a given destination (file or directory).
peripheral device - A physical peripheral device that can be attached to a SCSI device, which connects to
the SCSI bus. The peripheral device and the peripheral controller may be physically packaged together. Examples are: printers, magnetic tape devices, optical disks, etc.
process - a program that is being executed or is waiting to be executed.
root - the initial single node of the file system hierarchy.
root user - the initial single user of the UNIX system that typically has all privileges to perform any action
with the file system.
script - a shell procedure or program used for invoking and organizing UNIX commands.
SCSI - Small Computer Systems Interface. Either SCSI I or SCSI II.
SCSI Address - The octal representation of the unique address (0 - 7) assigned to a SCSI device. This address
would normally be assigned and set in the SCSI device during system installation.
SCSI device - A host adaptor or target controller that can be attached to the SCSI bus.
SCSI ID - The bit-significant representation of the SCSI address.
search path - see path.
SGI - Silicon Graphics, Inc.
shell - the command interpreter for UNIX.
shell script - see script.
single-tar volume - one file per tar volume (archive).
single-save group - see single-tar volume.
spacing - the act of postitioning the medium on a tape medium based on skipping over (forward or backward)
filemarks.
status - information sent from a target to an initiator upon completion of a command.
subdirectory - a directory that exists within another directory.
SUN - Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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tar - tape archiver utility.

tar archive - see tar volume.
tar file - see tar volume.
tar format - a data file in tar format contains a tar header, the data file, followed by either a tar end-of-file
block or another tar header / data file block.
tar volume - a file that may contain one or more data files in tar format.
target - A SCSI device that performs an operation requested by an initiator.
verbose - a program, when run in verbose mode, typically displays more status information to the user than
normal.
working directory - the directory to which all relative pathnames refer. Filenames refer to the current directory by default.
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tar - tape archiver utility.

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