From: Thomas M. DeBoni (TMDeBoni_at_lbl_dot_gov)
Date: 01/25/2005
The NERSC File Storage Group maintains the HTAR utility on seaborg and PDSF. This utility aggregates files or directories into TAR-like archives, built directly onto the HPSS mass storage system; each ar- chive has an associated index file which allows HTAR to also extract components of the HTAR archive from HPSS directly onto seaborg or PDSF. Backups can be performed efficiently with HTAR, as only two files are produced, the archive and its index. Restoration from an archive is also efficient, as in most cases only one tape must be mounted and read to extract any number of an archive's component files. HTAR can also convert an exiting TAR archive to HTAR form by building an index file for the archive. HTAR archives can include component files of up to 2 GB in size. For more more information on HTAR, see the man page on seaborg, or the web page at http://www.nersc.gov/nusers/resources/hpss/usage_htar.php T. M. DeBoni NERSC User Services