Backup Exec 12.5 - Scratch Media

[StephenMHC]

Hi,

I've been having difficulty with backups recently. 

I have a media set created with Keep Data Infinitely - Do Not Allow Overwrite. However, just recently it seems that the media is full and cannot overwrite data on the media (LTO200/400GB). So I have moved the all the media used into the Scratch Media Set - will this cause any problems with my backups?

I also checked Overwrite Media in the Job Properties, instead of Append to media, overwrite if no appendable media is available. But the server keeps spitting the tape out.

I have ran a manual backup with the media applied to the Scratch Media set and it has ran ok. 

Can someone put my mind to rest and let me know if adding the media to the Scratch Media set will not affect anything?

Many thanks,

Stephen

[Kiran_Bandi]

Moving a media to scratch media set make that media overwritable.

Make sure you have selected Overwrite Scratch media before overwriting recyclable media contained in target media set under overwrite options and overwrite protection level is set to FULL. 

By choosing the above settings you are making BE to Overwrite media in the following order:

Scratch Media, Recyclable media in that media set, recyclable media in any media set.

[JoaoMatos]

Hi,

Media in scratch media set, are medias avaiable,  to backups. does not affect anything.

If ou move any tape to  Scratch Media Set, this means that tape is available to backups when a job needs another free tape.

Regards,

JoaoMatos

[StephenMHC]

So (please bare with me as I'm new to Backup Exec), once the backup has ran, with media  in the Scratch Media Set, then I will still be able to Restore (when necessary) from that Media?

Thanks again and apologies for my lack of knowledge. 

[Kiran_Bandi]

No, you will not have any data of previous backups once tape has been overwritten.

Only the new backup data will be available for restores.

That is why it is very important to decide proper OPP AP values.

[StephenMHC]

So what would I need to do when each media cartridge has reached its capacity?

[Kiran_Bandi · Accepted solution]

Plan for a Media Rotation Strategy according to your requirement. 

According to that BE will decide whether to overwrite the media or not.

Consider the below mentioned things mainly while planning for a media rotation strategy..

The amount of data needs to be backed up.

The number of available tapes for backup operation. and mainly

Which data you want to retain for how much time?

[Kiran_Bandi]

Hi StephenMHC,

Any update?

If you got rid of your issue, please mark the solution.

Best Regards.

[StephenMHC]

Hi,

Sorry I forgot to mark it as a solution. Thanks for all your help!