How to set up TapeAlert for automatic drive cleaning in NBU 7.1

[Elbon]

Hi Guys,

Wondering if  anyone could share information on how and where to setup TapeAlert in NBU 7.1 for automatic drive cleaning

I've done a bit of research but can not seem to find anywhere that states exactly how to do it or much in depth information about it.

Running NBU 7.1 with an enterprise license, StorageTek SL48 tape library, OS, Windows Server 2003 SP2

Thanks.

[mph999 · Accepted solution]

In a way, you don't.

TapeAlerts are 100% nothing to do with NBU, they are SENT from the tapedrive.

By default NBU will detect these and will attempt to clean the drives (if cleaning tape available etc ...)

What may have happened is that the ability of NBU to detect te tapealert may have been disabled (for example, if the library was doing the cleaning).

Check for this file :

/usr/openv/volmgr/database/NO_TAPEALERT

(or <install path>\veritas\volmgr\NO_TAPEALERT )

If this file exists, 'tapealert detection' has been disabled - remove this file to 're-enable'

As far as the cleaning tapes go - set the density to match the tape drive (but with -cln ) eg. if you have hcart2  drives, you want to select the hcart2-cln density, they must be in the NONE pool and make sure the number of remaining cleanings is >0 (Once inventoried and configured, just right click the cleaning media and select change to adjust the number of cleanings remaining).

The number of cleanings remaining differs depending on the make of tape drive, the make of cleaning tape etc ... Just set it to 40 or something, once it is used, it will not be 'overused'/  Consult drive / cleaning tape manufacturer for more info in this area, Symantec do not have this information.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH9109

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH37409

Make sure all cleaning is disabled on the library and that any 'library defined cleaning slots' are deleted.

In NBU, the cleaning tapes are not in special slots, they are just regular tapes that have a 'cleaning density' matching the 'density' of the tape drives, and, are in the NONE volume pool.

Martin

[Elbon]

First of all id like to thank you for the response.

I have checked both locations that you have specified above and the NO_TAPEALERT file does not exist

Any other way to check how or why this feature is not working?

Is this something that needs to be enabled on the tape library itself or in the OS?

Thanks

[mph999]

OK, how do you know it isn't working ?

If you enable the bptm log ( create dir /usr/openv/netbackup/logs/bptm) and set at VERBOSE = 5 you should see the TAPEALERTS detected by bptm.

If they do not happen, then it's possible :

They are not being sent

They are being sent but are not making it to NBU

This could be firmware on the drives, or SAN issue (I've seen HBA firmware block all sorts of things it shouldn't ....)

BUT ...  first thing ...

1.  How do you know it osn't working, perhaps no drives need cleaning

2.  How was the cleaning done before (if the library cleaned the drives, AND , this worked, then TAPEALERTS are being sent (the library detects these to know that a drive needs cleaning).

3.  On the media server, what is in the file :

/usr/openv/netbackup/db/media/errors

Martin

[Marianne]

If you run 'tpautoconf -t' from cmd, you will see if TapeAlert is enabled in tape firmware.

A couple of TN's (some VERY old, but still relevant):

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH8452

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH19399

http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO33906

If you add VERBOSE entry to <install-path>\volmgr\vm.conf (and restart Device Management Service), TapeAlerts will also be logged in Windows Event Viewer.

[Yasuhisa_Ishika]

Adding to Martin's excellent post, check if cleaning tape is configured in NetBackup with correct media type. If no cleaning tapes configued, NetBackup can not clean drive although there are no problem with drive's firmware and NetBackup software.