Restoring a "tar" Backup with Absolute Path Names to a Different Directory

Audience: AIX Users

Date: July 30, 2001

A tar backup created using absolute path names can only only be restored to the directory from which it was created. One way to restore it to a different directory is by using the pax command.

For example, suppose you receive a tar tape created using absolute path names:

tar -cvf /dev/rmt0 /work/*

but want to restore it to the /test directory. The pax command would be:

pax -rf /dev/rmt0 -s/work/test/p

The -s/work/test/p does the directory change. It functions similar to a "vi" search and replace. The pax command has several other uses such as duplicating directories. See the pax man page for more information.