HP Data Protector Operations Guide

The following screenshot shows the media that is added to the pre-allocation list:
Using a free pool
A free pool is a media pool that you can configure to allow free media to be shared across media
pools, which may reduce operator intervention due to mount requests. The use of a free pool is
optional.
A free pool:
• cannot be deleted if it is linked with a media pool or if it is not empty.
• is different from a regular pool as it cannot be used for allocation because it cannot hold
protected media. Consequently, allocation policy options (Strict / Loose,
Appendable/Non-Appendable) are not available.
• contains only free Data Protector media (no unknown or blank media).
Media are moved between the regular pool and the free pool on two occasions:
• If there is no free media in the regular pool anymore, Data Protector allocates media from
the free pool. This automatically moves the media to the regular pool.
• When all the data on the media expires (and the media is in a regular pool), media can
be moved to the free pool automatically.
Limitations:
• You cannot move protected media to a free pool.
• You cannot use some operations on media, such as Import, Copy, and Recycle, because
they may operate on protected media.
• Pools with the Magazine support option selected cannot use a free pool.
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