Random Access Tape 2460
That's how Pyramid would install their dual Universe Unix OS-x and DC-OSx (the SysVR4 Mips one)... We'd make a ROFS tape (Read Only File Sytem) and load it up and boot it.
Michael Wojcik One might note that early disk drives could have *fixed* heads, much like drums...another...
The shoeshine motion when doing directory lookups and file loads was fun to look at but it did hold up the install a bit.
The trick was to minimize the contents of the ROFS system to the minimum instruction needed to install the OS. My labs in training also included my tips on making a recovery ROFS tape with your own site goodies like pbuttword file, group file and any local important binaries on it so the dump image past the ROFS tape could be a fully customized backup of your site in case of disaster.
The thing is it was real hard carrying around a 1.2gb 8" SMD drive as a load device so tape was it (before CD and DVD).
Actually, the worst tape to do the ROFS on was the 1-4 inch QIC SCSI 150 mb tapes... slow... so verrrrrry slow...
Bill
-- -- digital had it THEN. Don't you wish you could still buy it now! pechter-at-ureachtechnologies.com
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