New VTL getting error "unable to allocate new media for backup, storage unit has none available(96)"

[Ramiro-Magan]

Hi, I have just configured a VTL that is running on a Data Domain 670, just 4 drives, 32 tapes.

I see everyting fine in the DD console, I was able to configure the drives with no problem, I was able to inventory the tapes fine, now when I try to run a backup, I get the error message "unable to allocate new media for backup, storage unit has none available(96)".

All tapes are in the scratch pool.

I have deleted and re inventoried the tapes.

I have unchecked and re checked the Scratch volume pool checkbox.

And now I am stuck. 

Any ideas where to go from here?

BTW, I am running NBU 7.5.0.4, Master Windows 2008 R2 Enterprise, Media Windows 2003. The VTL in question is in the Media server, though I have one in the master I have no tested yet.

[RamNagalla · Accepted solution]

did you check your tapes drives and tapes are configured in same density?

its like if you configure your storage unit as HCART2 , you should make sure that your tape density also HCART2

[Nicolai]

I would say exactly the same.

[Ramiro-Magan]

Now that is an intresting point I have not taken into count.

My phisical library is LTO4, while the VTL is LTO3.

The LTO4 is configured as HCART, while the LTO3 is configured as HCART3.

Is it possible to modify it to HCART?

[Marianne]

The VTL tape drives can be HCART3.

Just check that the VTL media and the VTL STU are all configured as HCART3.

Please see this Status 96 troubleshooting wizard:

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=answers&type=wizard&wizardid=NBU090&wizardstepid...

[Ramiro-Magan]

I see the problem.

The media is set to HCART instead of HCART3.

which one would be easier to modify? and in case it is the media, how can I do that?

[RamNagalla]

you can do that for medias..

you can do this using barcode rules..

use barcode rules and do the inventory them as HCART3

below tech note is to set for cleaning tapes, but it will give idea to set the barcode rules for HCART3 also

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH36700

[Marianne]

Delete all existing tapes, change barcode rule, then run Inventory again.

Remember to check STU density as well.

[Ramiro-Magan]

Well, since all the other tapes I had were HCART, what I did was modify the drives to HCART instead of HCART3, deleted the drives, rescaned, and now it is working like a charm.

It was my first time working with a VTL, and had to set it up from the ground, good experience. One of those things you never check until you face it once.

[Marianne]

Thanks! But Nagalla was first to suggest 'check densities'.

I have move the solution to his post.