Forum Discussion

EnZ0's avatar
EnZ0
Level 3
11 years ago
Solved

BE2012 Tape Overwrite Expiration and Recycling Tape

Hi All,

 

just want a simple explanation on this issue, and currently testing.

I've set the overwrite protection period on my Media Set(Test) for 1 year and 6months append period.

Example:

After a year the overwrite protection expires, So I can recycle my Tapes.

 

Question: 

If I load in back the set of tapes to my library then scan it.

Where will it be allocated?

Will it go back to Media Set(Test) I've allocated it before? Or on the Scratch Media?

 

Thank you for the replies.

 

 

 

 

2012
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Not Applicable
  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    11 years ago

    You cannot overwrite part of a media, be it tape or disk.  When you overwrite a media, all the existing information on the tape is gone.

    There is no such thing as a half expired tape.  Suppose you do a backup in January, the tape would be protected until January the next year.  If you do another backup in Febuary and append to this same tape, then it would be protected until Febuary the next year.  This tape cannot be overwritten in January next year.  It can only be overwritten in Febuary next year.  When it is overwritten, both the January and Febuary backup sets would be gone.

    To understand more, read the following document

    http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH5459

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    11 years ago
    It will be in the Test media set. A tape is never moved to the scratch media set unless this is done deliberately. However since the protection period has expired, it would be marked as overwritable.
  • EnZ0's avatar
    EnZ0
    Level 3
    11 years ago

    Hi pkh,

    Thank for the reply and confirming that the expired tapes will still go back to the associated media pool (Test Media Set) . 

    Example: 

    I have 2 Tapes that are expired after a year, 1 Tape is fully overwritable and 1 Tape has only half of its capacity overwirtable.

    Another question: 

    If I wanted to recycle the tapes do I need to manually associate it back to Scratch Pool or just leave it as it is inside Test Media Pool and still run the backup?

    Can I still use the half overwritable Tape?

    Will there be any backup problems if I'll still used the half overwritable Tape?

     

    Thank you so much for the reply again.

     

     

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    11 years ago
    You can just leave them in the Test media set and they can be reused. If you overwrite the tapes, it does not matter whether they are fill or half-full. BE will start writing from the front of the tape and overwrote everything
  • EnZ0's avatar
    EnZ0
    Level 3
    11 years ago

    OK so I'll just leave it in the Test Media Set.

    I'll be using the Over writable Tapes, as time goes by the data certainly will increase then let's say it needs more than the Full & Half-Full tapes that I have on hand.

    Question: 

    Will my backup encounter Error when the Half-Full Tape is used and the half data is still inside and hasn't expired yet?

    Can I ask the best practice in recycling backup tapes and the best Media Set configuration on the Expiration and Append setting?.

     

    Appreciate so much for the time and the replies.

    Thank you so much PKH 

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    11 years ago
    Regardless of whether it is a full or partially used tape, if the protection period had not expired then you cannot overwrite the tape. Don't be afraid of half-used tapes. They are no different from full tape. You set the OPP and AP according to your needs. There is no such thing as best practice for setting these
  • EnZ0's avatar
    EnZ0
    Level 3
    11 years ago

    Thank you so much PKH for the advice and help to clarify my issue.

    very much appreciated all the replies.

  • EnZ0's avatar
    EnZ0
    Level 3
    11 years ago

    Hi PKH,

    my last question hope its not a big trouble on your part.

    and my apologies for the unclear scenario.

    I have 2 Tapes inside my library 1 Tape is already overwritable(Expired 1 year) and 1 Tape has %50 over writable(Expired 1year) and %50 still not expired until next month.

    Question:

    Can I still use the %50 expired tape?

    Will I encounter any errors while using back the half expired tape?

     

    Thank you so much for the reply 

     

      

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    11 years ago

    You cannot overwrite part of a media, be it tape or disk.  When you overwrite a media, all the existing information on the tape is gone.

    There is no such thing as a half expired tape.  Suppose you do a backup in January, the tape would be protected until January the next year.  If you do another backup in Febuary and append to this same tape, then it would be protected until Febuary the next year.  This tape cannot be overwritten in January next year.  It can only be overwritten in Febuary next year.  When it is overwritten, both the January and Febuary backup sets would be gone.

    To understand more, read the following document

    http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH5459

  • EnZ0's avatar
    EnZ0
    Level 3
    11 years ago

    Thank you for the help PKH.

    Now things are clarified on the media expiration. 

    You replies are very much appreciated.

    Again thank you so much PKH for the help.