append to media 1

[fluid11]

This is what I'm running...

Veritas Backup Exec for Windows 2000
Backup Agent for Exchange
Backup Agent for NetWare
Backup Agent for Unix

I create 3 backup jobs that will run consecutively, one after the other. The first backup is set to "overwrite" media. The backups afterwards are set to "append to media; terminate if no appendable media is found". The first backup job runs successfully and is only about 4GB. My tape device can hold 24GB. All of the jobs after this fail with...

No appendable media could be mounted.
Error - Mount failed.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Physical Volume Library Media not found.


I have more than enough room on the tape to fit all of the backup jobs. What is causing this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

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This is usually caused by one of a few things:

Problem #1: The first backup job is sending the tape to a media set that has overwrite protection enabled.

To test this, run the first job by itself. When it finishes, look up the tape that was written to in the media tab. If the media shows up as light blue or has zeros in the overwrite and append protection columns you can try reading "Problem #2". If you find anything else, continue reading.

When running multiple jobs to the same media, you should create a "transitional" media set with no overwrite protection and unlimited append capabilities.

Every job EXCEPT the last one in the "jobstream" (in your case, the first two) should then be configured to go to the transitional media set. Set the last job in the stream to send the tape to the media set that actually has overwrite protection for your tape management scheme.

Problem #2: All jobs after the first one are launching too soon.

If a job is launched and is subsequently listed in a "pending" state before an earlier job is complete you may not be allowing the system enough time to send the media to the transitional media set before the "pending" job starts accessing it.

The best practice is to set up your subsequent jobs to wait a minute or two before starting after the preceding job completes. This will allow each job in turn to completely finish processing, allow the BE services to move the media to the proper media set and allow the media set to apply the proper overwrite protection before the next job in the stream has its turn.

Problem #3: There is a third possiblity, but I doubt that it's happening to you. If any of the jobs in the stream (exept the last job) are set to eject the media you will not have valid appendable media to choose from in the drive. Since you made no mention of the tape being ejected I didn't think this one would apply, but I threw it in anyway

Let me know how it goes, I hope I've helped.

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[fluid11]

Thanks for your reply.

I wish the problem was #3

My media overwrite protection is set to None under Tools - Options - Media Overwrite - None.

..."When it finishes, look up the tape that was written to in the media tab. If the media shows up as light blue or has zeros in the overwrite and append protection columns you"...

- Where do I look for this?

I've never heard of a transitional media set. Does Veritas have any documents explaining how to set this up?


Thanks,
Chris

 

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Sorry it took so long. I've been trying to type out my response, but it would take a day to scroll down this thread to read it all.

If your really in a bind, email me and I'll send my phone number. It would be much easier to explain this over the phone.

If you're not comfortable with that, look in the manual for "user media sets". It should be able to explain the concept to you.

As for the "transitional" media set. It's not a true media set. It is merely a term that I use for media that needs somewhere to go before it reaches it's final destination (ie. running across multiple backup jobs)

My email is bgraves@cottsystems.com and I would be glad to go over this with you if you need more help.

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[fluid11]

Thanks for the offer, but that isn't necessary. I've been running successful backups each day by combining all of the jobs into one. This isn't what I want, however. I want to run 3 separate jobs back to back. One for Exchange, one for my two NetWare servers, and a third for my Linux box. This makes it easier to troubleshoot problems, when they arise. Thanks for your help and I'll look into your suggestion.

I'm going to email you with access to my FTP server for trying to help me out. Its a really good server, you'll see!