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Summary



Tape allocation fails with a return code of 1185.

Resolution



Return code 1185 results from a failure to allocate the drive based on its serial number (unique ID).

If your device supports serial numbers, DPX may be configured for device persistency. If it is so configured, it will depend on the correct reporting of these values. The dpx/bin/jb/detect -g command reports the serial numbers.

Regardless of the serial number, if the operating system can no longer recognize the devices, you will receive this error. In addition, if the serial numbers no longer match the Unique ID field of the tape drives as they are configured in DPX, you will receive this error. The serial number is a property of the device itself. The serial number will change when you physically replace a tape drive, at which time DPX must be reconfigured.

If the serial numbers have changed, they must be deleted from DPX. You can add them back to the configuration with the Device Configuration Wizard (which is launched by the desktop shortcut). If the serial numbers have not changed, it is best for the driver/firmware to allow them to be presented again.

If this is not possible, the use of serial numbers can be disabled:

  • On Windows, open the registry editor, go to HKLM/Software/Syncsort/BackupExpress/<hostname>/0, and create (or edit) the SSTPTMM string value with -uniqueidcheckoff
  • On UNIX, edit the file dpx/bin/sstptmm so that it reads exec ./tptmm -uniqueidcheckoff.

Do this for every node on the SAN that does not see the serial numbers.