Version 2.0 of displayserver will be a complete rewrite. I am currently still experimenting with the basic framework (using threads/forks/exec's) for maximum stability/performance/mem usage. I'm also awaiting v1.1 of the empeg-sw for compliance-testing. In the new version the tar file will be split up in 16 pieces per drive. fid-names consist of hex chars, so the easiest way to do this is tarring 1*, 2*, 3*, etc.
Anyway, I haven't got much time lately, but hope to have a stable ds2.0 version a few weeks after empeg 1.1 is publicly available.
As for backing up to tape, the easiest way to do so is having a linux PC with a tapestreamer connected to it. Set it up to allow the empeg to rsh into it by setting the .rhosts file in root's homedir. Copy a rsh-executable to the empeg and give the following command on the empeg:

tar cvf linuxpc:/dev/tape /drive0/fids /drive1/fids

to restore the complete tape to a clean empeg :

cd /

tar xvf linuxpc:/dev/tape

Frank van Gestel