asked on

Best method to verify diverse backup tapes

My company has 38 locations that each has its own LAN and database. Each location sends me a backup tape each month for DR purposes (and occasionally so that we can copy the database to our server for research). I have now been asked to check each tape that comes in to verify that the database file can be recovered from the tape. I think I am dealing with the following:
Hardware - DAT and Travan
Media - DDS2,3,4 and Travan 20/40gb
Software - Windows backup, BackupExec, and Tapeware

I am just starting trying to verify the first group of tapes. It seems I can usually read the dat tapes, but I am really having a problem with Travan. I can inventory the drive and get the tape header info, but every tape I try to catalog, I get either an i/o or inconsistent media error. I have tried 3 different Travan drives with the same results.

What is my best option? Is there a way to tell what software made the tape? SHould I give up and just replace all travan drives with DAT?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

rindi

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Cyber-Dude

The best way, and I mean - really the best way - to verify the data is being backed up is by restoring it to another location. Reading the content of a tape will not even imply the true condition of that tape. You can eather use a 'Verify data integrity' after a backup procedure takes place. Than, see if the Travan is doing a good job...

This is my opinion...

Cyber

spoonerism

Another possibility is that the travan media has a problem.

In my experience DAT is more reliable than Travan.