Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 not using available tape
Every Monday I insert 2 tapes into the library. I format these tapes using the 'Quick Erase' function in Backup Exec and I assign the media to the appropriate media set "Daily".
Daily Media Set Properties - OPP: 27 Days, AP: 6 Days
During the week the backup performs fine until the first media becomes full (this is usually in the middle of a job). Then for some reason it doesn't continue to use the available tape and displays the message "Please insert overwritable media into the robotic library using the import command."
Now if I cancel the job manually and start it again then it will use the available tape.
I am completely out of ideas! I've even created new media sets and I still get the same issue. Help!
Daily Media Set Properties - OPP: 27 Days, AP: 6 Days
During the week the backup performs fine until the first media becomes full (this is usually in the middle of a job). Then for some reason it doesn't continue to use the available tape and displays the message "Please insert overwritable media into the robotic library using the import command."
Now if I cancel the job manually and start it again then it will use the available tape.
I am completely out of ideas! I've even created new media sets and I still get the same issue. Help!
ASKER
I have 4 sets of "Daily" backup tapes. What would you recommend I set the OPP and AP period to?
Please view the attached image.
Media.jpg
Please view the attached image.
Media.jpg
ASKER
On the Monday rather than associating the Media to the Daily Media Set do I put one of the tapes into Scratch Media to avoid this issue?
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ASKER
OK, once tapes are manually formatted you are only able to assign a single tape to the Media Set. The second tape MUST be in the Scratch Media Set. In doing so, when the backup is performed and the first tape is becomes full (in the middle of a job), it will automatically look into the Scratch Media Pool.
Another way around this is to create "Library Partitions" and assign specific jobs to a range of Slot Numbers in the library. Specifying a range of Slot Numbers for "Daily", "Weekly" and "Monthly" tapes.
Another way around this is to create "Library Partitions" and assign specific jobs to a range of Slot Numbers in the library. Specifying a range of Slot Numbers for "Daily", "Weekly" and "Monthly" tapes.
So long as you don't manually format them you should be OK, if you're importing them through a mail slot then that's sufficient, if you eject the cartridge to put them in you may have to run an inventory on the library - not a scan as BE doesn't trust the barcodes.
You shouldn't run quick erase or keep re-assigning them, BE will overwrite and append as needed so long as you have the periods set correctly. Overwrite protection timer starts from when the tape was last written to, so your 27 days OPP plus 6 days append implies the tape won't be available for 33 days after being first written to.