physical block size > 512 bytes

[Martin Peeters]

Does anyone know how existing UNIX device drivers handle physical block
sizes that exceed 512 bytes? For example, Exabyte cartridges use a
block size of 1 kilobyte by default. Two approaches are possible in case
the I/O is not a multiple of the physical block size:

1. An I/O of 512 bytes is written as 1 physical block.

2. The driver uses blocking to combine 2 I/O's of 512 bytes into
   1 physical block.

Obviously, the different approaches lead to incompatibility e.g. when
labelit/volcopy is used.

Thanks in advance,

Martin Peters

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