Replace media for the first time Netbackup 7.0.1

[BackupSysAdmin]

I want to replace all full media in my tape library.  We have an HP Storageworks MSL 8096 Tape Library. As a new Netbackup Administrator , I read the Admin Guide, but am confused.  The previous backup admin left tape that indicated that they can be reuse.  What are the procedures for replacing the current full media, with the media that the previous backup admin indicates are available now.  Would I need to erase the images on those tape since they are old.......2010?  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[J_H_Is_gone]

when you say Full - do you mean it is a full backup or do you mean the tape itself is full?

when writing to a tape it will append one backup to the tape and then append another to the tape

see this for more details http://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/understanding-how-netbackup-writes-tape

also this might help http://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/netbackup-and-just-how-multiple-streams-tape-drive-work...

if the tape is not full it will continue to add backups to the tape

if the tape is full it will use another tape

if a tape is full it must wait for all backup images on the tape to expire before it will write to it again.

you do not need to erase a tape - looking in the GUI under media - if the tape does not have an assigned date then all images on that tape have expired and it is now avail to be used again - you do not need to do anything to the tape but maybe put it back in the library (you put it in the MAP of the library and from NB do an inventory of the library telling it to empty the MAP's)

read the blogs I posted and come back with any future questions.

[BackupSysAdmin]

The tapes are showing "Full" under Media Status in the Volume Pool.  I checked each pool after getting Status code 96, "Media not Avaialble". Also, under Tape Summary, Media Summary for Server, it indicates Active -13, Full - 88.  I was wondering if I can pull some of the full tapes and replace with the old tapes in my vault that indicate being available after 8/2010.  Not sure what you mean by "MAP".

[mph999 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can 'eject' the tapes from NBU, so that NBU knows the tapes are not in the robot.

(Right click a media a select eject)

A MAP (or CAP) is a 'Media Access Port' or 'Cartridge Access Port' -  a small door in a library where the robot ejects the tapes.  They can then be removed without opening the main door, and new tapes can be added.  If there is no MAP (not all libraries have them) you still eject the tapes, but you have to open the main door to remove.  (Some libararies have magazines as opposed to a door).

Once you have remove the tapes, add the 'old' ones, and run a library inventory from within NetBackup.

Netback will track tapes, even when not in the library - when they expire (go past the date that the data is to be kept for) they become available for reuse.

I do not know the config of your system, it may be necessary to move the tapes to the 'scratch' pool, or, manually put them into the pool that they need to be in for the backups to run.

Regards,

Martin

[BackupSysAdmin]

Very good information.

[Marianne]

If any of the advice has helped you, please be kind enough to mark the post that has helped you most as Solution.

This will not only reward the person who has helped you, but also help others battling with the same kind of problems.

Maybe you could also give feedback on all of your unsolved posts?

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/exit-status-96-unable-allocate-new-media-backup

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/mismatched-volume

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/netbackup-snapshot

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/tape-retention

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/media-summary-logs

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/status-code-196-backup-window-no-longer-open

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/status-code-1-problem-was-dected-may-require-corrective-action-during-requested-operation