pmt(1)
| PMT(1) | Proxmox Backup | PMT(1) |
NAME
pmt - Control Linux Tape Devices
SYNOPSIS
pmt asf <count>
Position the tape at the beginning of the count file (after filemark count)
- <count>
- <integer> (0 - 2147483647) File mark position (0 is BOT).
----
pmt bsf <count>
Backward space count files (position before file mark).
The tape is positioned on the last block of the previous file.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) File mark count.
----
pmt bsfm <count>
Backward space count files, then forward space one record (position after file mark).
This leaves the tape positioned at the first block of the file that is count - 1 files before the current file.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) File mark count.
----
pmt bsr <count>
Backward space records.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) Record count.
----
pmt cartridge-memory
Read Cartridge Memory
----
pmt eject
Eject drive media
----
pmt eod
Move to end of media
----
pmt erase [OPTIONS]
Erase media (from current position)
Optional parameters:
- --fast <boolean> (default=true)
- Use fast erase.
----
pmt format [OPTIONS]
Format media, single partition
Optional parameters:
- --fast <boolean> (default=true)
- Use fast erase.
----
pmt fsf <count>
Forward space count files (position after file mark).
The tape is positioned on the first block of the next file.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) File mark count.
----
pmt fsfm <count>
Forward space count files, then backward space one record (position before file mark).
This leaves the tape positioned at the last block of the file that is count - 1 files past the current file.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) File mark count.
----
pmt fsr <count>
Forward space records.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) Record count.
----
pmt help [{<command>}] [OPTIONS]
Get help about specified command (or sub-command).
- <command>
- <string> Command. This may be a list in order to specify nested sub-commands. Can be specified more than once.
Optional parameters:
- --verbose <boolean>
- Verbose help.
----
pmt load
Load media
----
pmt lock
Lock the tape drive door
----
pmt options [OPTIONS]
Set varios drive options
Optional parameters:
- --blocksize <integer> (0 - 8388608)
- Set tape drive block_length (0 is variable length).
- --buffer_mode <boolean>
- Use drive buffer.
- --compression <boolean>
- Enable/disable compression.
- --defaults <boolean>
- Set default options
----
pmt rewind
Rewind the tape
----
pmt scan
Scan for existing tape changer devices
----
pmt status
Drive Status
----
pmt tape-alert-flags
Read Tape Alert Flags
----
pmt unlock
Unlock the tape drive door
----
pmt volume-statistics
Volume Statistics
----
pmt weof [<count>]
Write count (default 1) EOF marks at current position.
- <count>
- <integer> (1 - 2147483647) File mark count.
COMMON OPTIONS
All commands support the following parameters to specify the tape device:
- --device <path>
- Path to the Linux tape device
- --drive <name>
- Use drive from Proxmox Backup Server configuration.
Commands which generate output support the --output-format parameter. It accepts the following values:
- text
- Text format (default). Human readable.
- json
- JSON (single line).
- json-pretty
- JSON (multiple lines, nicely formatted).
DESCRIPTION
The pmt command controls Linux tape devices.
ENVIRONMENT
- TAPE
- If set, replaces the --device option.
- PROXMOX_TAPE_DRIVE
- If set, replaces the --drive option.
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
Copyright (C) 2019-2025, Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License along with this program. If not, see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/
AUTHOR
Proxmox Support Team
COPYRIGHT
2019-2026, Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH
| Wednesday, 06 May 2026 | <devbuild> |