---
name: "cache_dump"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "thin-provisioning-tools"
version: "1.3.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/cache_dump"
---

# cache\_dump(8)

dump cache metadata from device or file to standard output.

## NAME

**cache\_dump** - dump cache metadata from device or file to standard output.

## SYNOPSIS

```
cache_dump [options] {device|file}
```

## DESCRIPTION

**cache\_dump dumps binary cache metadata created by the device-mapper cache** **target on a device or file to standard output for analysis or postprocessing** **in XML format. XML formatted metadata can be fed into cache\_restore in order** **to put it back onto a metadata device (to process by the device-mapper** **target), or file.**

**This tool cannot be run on live metadata.**

## OPTIONS

- **-h, --help**

  **Print help and exit.**

- **-V, --version**

  **Print version information and exit.**

- **-r, --repair**

  **Repair the metadata whilst dumping it.**

- **-o {xml file}**

  **Specify an output file for the xml, rather than printing to stdout.**

## EXAMPLES

**Dumps the cache metadata on logical volume /dev/vg/metadata to standard** **output in XML format:**

```
    $ cache_dump /dev/vg/metadata
```

**Dumps the cache metadata on logical volume /dev/vg/metadata whilst repairing** **it to standard output in XML format:**

```
    $ cache_dump --repair /dev/vg/metadata
```

## DIAGNOSTICS

**cache\_dump returns an exit code of 0 for success or 1 for error.**

## SEE ALSO

**[cache\_check(8)](/cache_check/8.md), [cache\_repair(8)](/cache_repair/8.md), [cache\_restore(8)](/cache_restore/8.md)**

## AUTHOR

**Joe Thornber \<ejt@redhat.com\>, Heinz Mauelshagen \<HeinzM@RedHat.com\>**