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Summary



This article documents basic questions and environmental requirements as they relate to tape library and media issues.

Resolution



Prerequisites

  1. Collect master server, device server, client operating system, and service pack information.
  2. Collect DPX version (SSPRODIR\.swinfo) and patch (SSPRODIR\updates\patches.level) level data.
    (Where SSPRODIR is the installation folder.)
  3. If the tape library is attached to a NetApp storage system, collect the logs from the NDMP client node.
  4. Consult the support matrix ( https://mysupport.catalogicsoftware.com/compatibility.php ) and validate the configuration.
  5. Confirm all nodes (master server, device server, and client) can access (ping) each other by hostname and IP address.
  6. Confirm that the DPX command prompt is functional.
    For Windows use: "DPX CMD Shell",
    For Linux use: ". ./bexenv"
    For Linux OES use: "backupexpressrc.sh".

Tape Library/Device Server Service Requests

  • Tape drives & SCSI/FC HBA cards must have the latest firmware and drivers from OEM. We do not provide drivers for tape drives.
  • Tape drives and the medium changer must be accessible through the operating system.
  • For a SAN-configured tape library, provide the serial number for each drive. For a locally-attached tape library, providing a serial number for each drive is optional, but recommended.
  • SSPRODIR/bin/JB/detect -h must list all device names with "Status" 0.
  • Serial numbers for each drive, and the corresponding drive name from the Tape Library configuration must be available. This information, along with the "detect -h" output will determine device numbers for each drive, which is 0 (zero) for the first drive.
  • Removable storage service for Windows must be stopped and disabled.
  • SSTPTMM string variable must include: -NLIFREADERR -t 45 -r 5
  • SSJUKER string must include: -b ON
  • Use BEXConf wizard to configure the tape library.
  • SCSI reservation should be set to "on" if it is not a NetApp Storage System. If it is a NetApp Storage System, SCSI reservation should be set to "off", in the BEX Enterprise configuration. (For more information, see KB article How to use SCSI Reserve/Release with NetApp Filer in SAN Environment.)

Media Management Service Requests

  • Alternate Pool for each media pool is an option, not requirement. Most commonly, a pool named "SCRATCH" is defined and all other pools use this as an alternate pool.
  • The "End of Tape" signal is sent by hardware. If the media is marked "Full" after writing small amount of data, either the media is bad, or the drive needs cleaning. Review the system logs.
  • If the DISKDIRECTORY media is used, the job "Destination Option" must use the "Unload Tape" option at the end of the job.