Data Protector Express User's Guide (TC330-96002, October 2010)

6 Working with Tape Libraries
In this chapter
• Installation and Configuration
• Barcodes and MIC (memory in cartridge)
• Barcode Filters
• Initialization Process
•MediaManagement
Tape libraries automate tape media ha ndling which, in conjunction with the Data Protector E xpress
backup schedules, a llows hands-off backup o perations. A tape library contains one or more tape drives,
some number of storage slots for tape m e d ia, and, in some cases, import/export slots to add or remove
media from the library.
Data Protector Express support for tape libraries allows you to automate and consolidate backup in
network environments and manage media efficiently. Data Protector Express has a built in media rota tion
schemes to help take advantage of the features of your library. D ata Protector Express tape library
support includes managing media using ba rcodes, using the on-board memory in some tape cartridges,
such as Ultrium Memory in Cartridg e, and user-configurable tape media load por ts (mail slots).
NOTE:
Always manage your tape media from the Data Protector Express interface. Your tape library may provide
a front panel that allows you to carry out various media management tasks but if you use this for media
operations the Data Protector Express catalog will not have the up-to-date me dia location information.
For this reason, front panel media operations will require time -consuming inventory processes to update
the catalog.
NOTE:
If your library supports multiple tape devices and you want to use a specific device, you must select
that device to use it. If you select the library, Data Protector Express will use the fi rst available device
in the library it finds.
Installation and Configuration
If the tape library is installed correctly, Data Protector Express will automatically detect the tape library.
When detected the tape library is added as an available device to the Data Protector Express catalog.
Once you h ave installed Data Protector Express, expand the Devices view to locate the tape library. Note
how the components of the tape library are displayed so that you can see how many devices (tape
drives), import-export Slots (m ail slots) and storage slots are associated with the library.
Devices The tape drives in a tape library are viewed and mana ged in the same way as stand-alone
tape drives.
Storage Slots The Storage Slots folder displays the number of available slots. Each slot may contain
blank (new) media, media containing Data P rotector Express data, or media containing unknown
(non-Data Protector Express) data. D ata Protector Express inventories the media in the slots and displays
the information about the media and its status in the view. This allows you to view all kinds of media,
not just the media used by Data Protector Express, but you will not be able to select non-Data Protector
Express media for a backup or restore job.
User’s Guide
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