Ovewrting Tape Policy

[User999]

Hi,

For the tapes inserted into the Robotic Library, if all the tapes are overwritable and appendable; how do we check/configure which tape is the next in queue based on media set rules? 

Assuming we got 3 tapes:

- Day1 - uses Tape1. (still have space to append)

Will day 2 continue to use tape 1 until it is full? then only move to tape 2?

How do we know which tape it will move to? Tape 2 or Tape 3? Is there a policy in placed?

Thanks.

 

[pkh · Accepted solution]

BE will append to the last tape that is used.  As for overwriting, it will use the one with the oldest allocated date.

[Sush---]

When Tape1 is used first and if the next job is to Append to tape then Tape1 will be used first. If the next job is to overwrite tape then it will pick up any of Tape2 or Tape3.

There is no policy if it going to use Tape2 or Tape 3.

Thanks,

-Sush...

[AshwinApte]

The following document will help you in understanding how Backup Exec searches for overwritable media;

URL: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=HOWTO11521

[pkh]

 If the next job is to overwrite tape then it will pick up any of Tape2 or Tape3.

There is no policy if it going to use Tape2 or Tape 3.

Not strictly true.  BE will pick the tape with the oldest allocated date.

How Backup Exec searches for overwritable media

[User999]

From the admin guide document, it says:

Allocated Date - Date and time when the media was added to a media set as a result of an overwrite operation

So the allocated date shown in BE, is the date when LATEST overwrite operation took place?

If is appending operation, it will not modify the Allocated Date?

Thanks.

[Kiran_Bandi]

Yes, that's correct.

Appending to tape do not modify the allocation date, only overwrite operation does.

[pkh]

The allocated date does not change when you append to the tape because the append period is calculated from the allocated date.  If you set the AP to 1 day then your tape is appendable for 1 day from the allocated date.  If append changes the allocated date, then your append period will be extended.