Forum Discussion

JJJCR's avatar
JJJCR
Level 4
13 years ago

List Tape Contents (Symantec BackupExec 12.5)

hi guys, i'm on the task of recovering old datas from old tapes. 

I can read the tape contents using Symantec Backup Exec, by doing Inventory, and going to the device then clicking on the tape device name.

When I do a restore data, I can view the contents of the tape.

My question is, is there a way to list the contents of the tape to an excel file or text format?

I had downloaded the Catdump utility for Backup Exec 12.5 from this link--> (http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH87173)

The syntax for this catdump would be: catdump path-to-program-files-and-catalog-GUID.fh > dump-to-text.file

But my problem is when I tried to run that command, there's no data generated becaused the catalog.GUID.fh file does not exist anymore, or it might have been deleted.

Is there a way to print or list out the tape contents from old tapes if the catalog file has been deleted?

 

12.x and Earlier
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Configuring
Managing Backup Devices
Recovering
Reporting
  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    13 years ago

    What I am saying is that you inventory and catalog the .bkf files once you have restore them to disk.  After cataloging, there will be catalog information for the .bkf files. You can then dump the catalog with catdump.

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    You should re-catalog the tape which will re-create the catalog information and then run catdump.

  • JJJCR's avatar
    JJJCR
    Level 4
    13 years ago

    hi pkh, i had tried to re-catalog the tape but i'm unable to find the xml catalog file. 

    Where can i find the xml catalog file? 

    Thanks.

  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    DEfault Catalog path is in the Backup Exec install directory (\\Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\Catalogs)

    Easiest way to locate the catalog folder (or be installation directory) is right-click on the Backup Exec icon on your desktop - Find Target

  • JJJCR's avatar
    JJJCR
    Level 4
    13 years ago

    Hi Bhavik, i had tried searching on the \\Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\Catalogs but what I find is all 2009 catalog files.

    And on the catalog job logs, there is media GUID if I search for that one I can't find it. 

    Is the media GUID (on the job log) corresponds as the xml catalog file?

    Thanks.

  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    Go to Tool - Options - Catalogs in Backup Exec

    check what is mentioned in Catalogs path? That is your current Catalogs location, go to that path and check.

  • JJJCR's avatar
    JJJCR
    Level 4
    13 years ago

    Hi Bhavik, thanks for the prompt reply. Yes, you're right different path is specified.

    But I had tried to run again the catalog media, it seems that there is no .xml or .fh that is being generated. 

    Any ideas why there is no .xml or .fh that is being generated?

    But the job summary information it says completed.

    Thanks for any input. 

  • JJJCR's avatar
    JJJCR
    Level 4
    13 years ago

    Nope, it doesn't show any byte count, the job runs only for about 1:30secs.

    here's what I did: click on Devices go to Storage devices on the right area, i click on the LT0006 (under media label), the i right click  and select "Catalog Media" on it then I run the job.

    Is it the right way to re-catalog the tape?

    but doing the same steps but I click on restore data, I can see the contents of the tape. But I want to list its contents to a text file or any editable and readable format.

    Thanks. :)

  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    Yes it is the correct way to re-catalog the tape. Ideally it should catalog with byte-count, but if you are able to see the contacts of that tape, it should already be cataloged.

    Try using one of the following and see if it allows you to export your catalogs:

     

    http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH87173 - Catalog Dump (CATDUMP) Utility
     
    http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH136392 - Catalog Tools (CATTOOLS.EXE) Utility
  • JJJCR's avatar
    JJJCR
    Level 4
    13 years ago

    Hi Bhavik, thank you so much for your reply.

    I had downloaded the catdump, the confusing part is: for the catdump to work is you need to specify the filename-GUID.fh file, but the problem is I can't find the .fh file to specify because when i re-catalog the tape it doesn't generate one.

    hmm..this will be a bit of homework for me, if not I have to resolve the print screen method hehehe...

    But any ideas why it doesn't do byte count when re-catalog the tape? normally if an LTO4 tape (full capacity) how long will it take to re-catalog?

    when I do the re-catalog it only last for a minute and 30 seconds..

    thanks again ;)