Forum Discussion

mn79's avatar
mn79
Level 3
4 years ago

Library paritioning

Hi, I have an SL3000 that is currently connected to one of the Master servers. Going forward I'll have a second Master to cater for backups in another network, security issues. I would have to confi...
7.7
Linux
  • Marianne's avatar
    Marianne
    4 years ago

    If all tape drives and library slots and media were assigned to the single, un-partitioned library, you will need to divide the CAP, drives and slots between the partitions. 

    If partition 1 will be assigned to current master and partition 2 to new server, you will need to remove all tapes from partition 2 slots and insert new tapes for new server. 

    Just to be safe, I would remove all tapes from the library, and delete current devices from NBU. Restart NBU device management service (ltid). 

    After partitioning and checking zoning, confirm that only devices for relevant partition is seen at OS-level by each server. 
    Use 'scan' command to report on devices - check robot serial number, number of slots in robot, and drive serial numbers. 

    If all good, insert tapes in correct partition. 

    Re-add devices using the Device Config Wizard. 
    Inventory robot. 
    Check Storage Unit config - adjust max number of drives. 

    Again - this is how I would do it. 

mn79's avatar
mn79
Level 3

Hi,

The library is not partitioned at the moment. The partitioning will change the configuration. The library hardware supports partitioning, there are no issues here.

My question was more regarding the steps, and precautions to take at the Netbackup layer.

 

Regards

Marianne's avatar
Marianne
Level 6
4 years ago

If all tape drives and library slots and media were assigned to the single, un-partitioned library, you will need to divide the CAP, drives and slots between the partitions. 

If partition 1 will be assigned to current master and partition 2 to new server, you will need to remove all tapes from partition 2 slots and insert new tapes for new server. 

Just to be safe, I would remove all tapes from the library, and delete current devices from NBU. Restart NBU device management service (ltid). 

After partitioning and checking zoning, confirm that only devices for relevant partition is seen at OS-level by each server. 
Use 'scan' command to report on devices - check robot serial number, number of slots in robot, and drive serial numbers. 

If all good, insert tapes in correct partition. 

Re-add devices using the Device Config Wizard. 
Inventory robot. 
Check Storage Unit config - adjust max number of drives. 

Again - this is how I would do it. 

  • mn79's avatar
    mn79
    Level 3
    4 years ago

    Thank you Marianne, that is exactly what I had in mind too.

    I was planning on removing only tapes from slots that would be assigned to the new partition, and keep the rest of the tapes in their slots. I have 1000+ tapes in the library and only a 26 slot CAP :(

    A couple of questions please -

    • What would be the risk with keeping the tapes in the slots, if I make sure I can assign the correct slots to the partition?
    • Would I have two WWPNs for each logical robot, instead of the one I see from the unpartitioned library. Would I have to enable NPIV on the SAN switches?

     

    Regards.

     

    • Marianne's avatar
      Marianne
      Level 6
      4 years ago

      Leaving tapes in slots that will stay with current master should not be a problem. 

      Moving them to standalone is a good idea since slot numbering will probably change. 

      About your other queries - 
      I can only assume that  after partitioning there will be different WWPNs for each logical robot.
      Maybe the library product documentation will provide better answers? 

      • mn79's avatar
        mn79
        Level 3
        4 years ago

        Thank you, for the response. I will try these steps and provide an update.

    • mn79's avatar
      mn79
      Level 3
      4 years ago

      Hi Marianne, Instead of removing all the tapes from the library. Wouldn't moving the tapes to standalone help as it will remove association of the volumes to the robot?  Post the activity, I will carry out reinventory which should add the volume groups back?

      Regards.