---
name: "era_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/era_dump"
---

# era\_dump(8)

dump era metadata from device or file to standard output.

## NAME

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

## SYNOPSIS

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

## DESCRIPTION

**era\_dump dumps binary era metadata created by the device-mapper era target on** **a device or file to standard output for analysis or postprocessing in** **XML format. XML formatted metadata can be fed into era\_restore (see** **[era\_restore(8)](/era_restore/8.md)) 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.**

- **--repair**

  **Repair the metadata whilst dumping it.**

- **--logical**

  **Fold any unprocessed write sets into the final era array.**

```
    You probably want to do this if you're intending to process the results as
    it simplifies the XML.
```

- **-o {xml file}**

  **Specify a file for the output rather than writing to stdout.**

## EXAMPLES

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

```
    $ era_dump /dev/vg/metadata
```

## DIAGNOSTICS

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

## SEE ALSO

**[era\_check(8)](/era_check/8.md), [era\_restore(8)](/era_restore/8.md), [era\_invalidate(8)](/era_invalidate/8.md)**

## AUTHOR

**Joe Thornber \<ejt@redhat.com\>**