Formatting and Slicing Devices

You can format, name, and create file systems in a single operation on all types of removable devices by the format option in the Removable Media Manager window.

Two separate actions are launched. The first is a low level format of the device, which utilizes a status bar to update you on the percentage completed. When the format is complete, the second action is launched which applies the file system and optional name and slices to the device.

To Format a Device

Formatting is done on all re-writable devices, including diskettes, Jaz, and Zip devices. Formatting can be initiated in one of two ways.

1. To format from the Removable Media Manager window:

   1. Click on a device icon.

   2. From the Removable Media Manager window, choose the Selected menu.

   3. Choose Format.

      The Media Format window will appear with further selections relative to the device you have selected.

   4. Select either Quick Format or Long Format.

   5. Select a type from the File System pull-down menu.

   6. (Optional) Under Volume Name type a name for the formatted device.

      If no name is specified, the device will not be named. If the device has already been formatted and has a volume name, the volume name will not be shown.

      If UFS was selected as the file system the Solaris Slice Editor button will appear in the dialog box.

   7. Click Format.

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      Note –

      `Long Format' ignores password protection on the device. If the media is read-write protected you will be prompted for the password. 'Long Format' is the default value for previously sliced media, write protected media or write protected with password media.

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2. To format using the command line option:

   To format, name, and create file systems on all types of removable media devices from the command line type:

   sdtmedia_format -d volume_device_name

Creating Solaris Slices

The Media Slice Editor is used to create Solaris slices on a device. You can only create slices in an UFS file system. If you select a PCFS or UDFS file system, you will not have the option of creating Solaris slices.

Once slices are created, the Media Slice Editor can be used to write UFS or UDFS file systems onto the slices. Where possible the Media Slice Editor will check the slice values supplied by the user and the overall integrity of the slice information. For example, it will report errors for overlapping slices.

There are two methods of creating slices. The first is to use the AutoSlice option.

1. Using AutoSlice.

   1. Select the AutoSlice button.

   2. Type the number of slices to be created.

   3. Click OK.

2. Or you may enter the number and size of the slices into the Slice Editor dialog box. The Slice Editor will create slices on cylinder boundaries.