Fabric OS Encryption Administrator's Guide v6.4.0 (53-1001864-01, June 2010)

Fabric OS Encryption Administrator’s Guide 139
53-1001864-01
Tape pool configuration
3
Creating a tape pool
Take the following steps to create a tape pool:
1. Log into the group leader as FabricAdmin.
2. Create a tape pool by entering the cryptocfg
--create -tapepool command. Provide a label or
numeric ID for the tape pool and specify the encryption policies. For policies not specified at
this time, LUN-level settings apply.
• Set the tape pool policy to either encrypt or cleartext (default).
• Set the encryption format to DF_compatible or Brocade native (default)
NOTE
To encrypt tapes in DataFort-compatible encryption format (both metadata and encryption
algorithm), the DataFort-compatible encryption format needs to be set both at the
LUN-level (tape drive) and at the tape pool-level. This ensures that the latest version of
DataFort (v2.x/3.x or later) can read and decrypt these tapes.
• Optionally set an expiration date in days for the key (default is no expiration). If the
key_lifespan parameter is set at the tape pool level to other than none (default), the tape
value is used over any LUN-level settings. If the key_lifespan parameter is not set at the
tape level (default of none), LUN level settings apply.
The following example creates a tape pool named “my_tapepool”.
FabricAdmin:switch>cryptocfg --create -tapepool -label my_tapepool
Operation succeeded.
3. Commit the transaction.
FabricAdmin:switch>cryptocfg --commit
Operation succeeded.
4. Display the configuration. Enter the cryptocfg --show -tapepool command followed by the tape
pool number or label and the -cfg parameter.
FabricAdmin:switch>cryptocfg --show -tapepool -label my_tapepool -stat
Number of tapepool session(s): 1
Tapepool 1:
Tapepool label: my_tapepool
Encryption mode: encrypted
Encryption format: native
Number of sessions: 0
Tape sessions within the pool:
Operation succeeded.
5. Configure the tape pool on your backup application with the same tape pool label you used to
create the tape pool on the encryption switch or blade. Refer to the manufacturer’s product
documentation for instructions.
6. On your backup application, label the tape media to assign to the tape pool. Refer to the
manufacturer’s product documentation for instructions.