FW: [gnu.org #19126] GNU tar and slack space.

[Sullivan, George E.]

Hi, This is not a bug report, but an operational
question.  I sent this to gnu.org but they were
unable to answer it and suggested I contact you.
Thanks.


-----Original Message-----
From: FSF General Contact Address via RT [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 12:20 AM
To: address@hidden

Subject: Re: [gnu.org #19126] GNU tar and slack space.

Does GNU tar archive any data in a blocks slack space.
We have a set of classified files we need to move from
one system to another.  However, our security is under
the impression that tar will pick up data at the end-of-file 
that might exist from deleted files that has not been 
written over yet. Will GNU tar only read the exact
file and avoid this slack space.

This one issue is holding up a rather large move of
data from one system to another.  One system has
a higher classification than the other.  So each file
has to be sanitized, then tar'red up and then moved.

Might be a good parameter to include for government
concerns.

like  -w  wipe the slack space a the end of a file before
adding to the archive.

or   -w [pattern, (pattern, pattern)] [count]  wipe slack space with
[pattern(s)]
for [count] times.


TECH Stuff:  using Irix 6.5.11, 6.5.14, and 6.5.16 and Solaris 2.6, 2.7, and
2.8

George E. Sullivan
Systems Administration
SAIC
Hanover, Md. 21076
     Email: address@hidden 
        Phone: 410-691-5516
           Fax: 410-850-5027
              Pager: 877-455-4951
                 Pager Mail: address@hidden
                   (short messages capable only)


On Thu, Jan 30, 2003 at 10:38:44AM -0500, ""address@hidden
wrote:
> Does GNU tar archive any data in a blocks slack space.






Dear George,

I'm sorry, but since this is only a general contact address, I'm afraid I
cannot answer questions about the development of specific GNU programs.
The best I can do is refer you to the GNU tar web page
(http://www.gnu.org/software/tar/) and manual
(http://www.gnu.org/manual/tar/tar.html).  If neither of those answer your
question, consider sending your mail to the bug list at <address@hidden>.

I am sorry that I couldn't be of more help.

Best regards,

-- 
Brett Smith
Free Software Foundation

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