To say this is not pretty would be an understatement. We've run something similar, and thankfully we've purchased some new hardware and are getting away from this model. My tips would be as follows.
1 - Separate "Site" Storage Groups so you don't run backups across the wan. 2- "c:\Program Files\VERITAS\Volmgr\bin\vmphyinv" -rn 0 -verbose This command will physically mount each tape, and scan the header information to update your volume configuration. It takes about 20 minutes, but its accurate. At least this way your backups will run, but the local operator still has to physically label each tape with a slot - tape comparison. Perhaps you can automate a report and email it to them. We had one site like this that was a nightmare. We eventually made that site a master, and then later purchased a ATL w/ barcode reader. -Jonathan -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lee Anne Pedersen Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 10:21 AM To: veritas-bu@mailman.eng.auburn.edu Subject: [Veritas-bu] New to Windows media servers (Windows 2003 Standard, NetBackup 5.1 MP4, HP ProLiant ML570 G3, HP StorageWorks 1/8 LTO3 autoloader) For the 4 years that I've worked with NetBackup, my experience has been confined to a single master/media server with direct or fibre attached barcode-reader-enabled robotic tape library. This past week I was tossed a new server and an 8-slot, single-drive, non-barcode-reader-enabled autoloader, and was told that I had a week to get it up and running as a media server for deployment to a remote site where there will be non-technical people handling the tape inject/eject. Thus far I've gotten it installed as a media server as near as I can tell (with incredible throughput compared to my existing servers), but I'm on the steep learning curve of logically separating master from media server inside my head. I'm looking for any suggestions as to how best handle this new configuration: 1. Should media be viewable on the master or media server? (all currently on master) 2. How can I automate the exchange of media to make it the least painful for the onsite operators? On our existing servers, tape is all handled dynamically with expiry going to the scratch pool. But our remote sites have only ever dealt with defined Monday tapes, Tuesday tapes, etc. 3. Onsite operators will not have access to the server. Besides simply scheduling vmphyinv to run, I'm stuck on how to ensure that media is properly ejected and injected via NetBackup. There is no 'media access port' to speak of on this autoloader. 4. What's the best configuration for policies, schedules and pools? I'm considering defining pools for each day of the week with pre-assigned media, but I'm concerned that the media will just be shuffled off to the scratch pool instead of staying in its own pool. 5. Should I be barcoding the media even if it doesn't have a barcode reader? I'm thinking of future usage, but I also don't like the idea of having a media label of AAA123 but a physical label of Monday Week 1. Initially I have made the description read Monday - 1, etc. while I try to figure this out, so I can use that in any reporting. I will have added all the tapes prior to the deployment. I'm comfortable doing some very basic Perl scripting on Windows, so I expect to generate daily reports for the operators to tell them of backups run, errors, which tapes were used, etc. I'd appreciate any quick wins that I can incorporate before the server is shipped offsite next Monday. Thanks, Lee Anne Lee Anne Pedersen MCP LAN/Server Analyst Restructuring & Government Efficiency DCS Delivery Team E Ph: 780-427-2504 [EMAIL PROTECTED] This communication is intended for the use of the recipient to which it is addressed, and may contain confidential, personal and or privileged information. Please contact us immediately if you are not the intended recipient of this communication, and do not copy, distribute, or take action relying on it. Any communication received in error, or subsequent reply, should be deleted or destroyed. _______________________________________________ Veritas-bu maillist - Veritas-bu@mailman.eng.auburn.edu http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu _______________________________________________ Veritas-bu maillist - Veritas-bu@mailman.eng.auburn.edu http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu