Arcserve IT suddenly asking for 2 tapes

[egress]

We can backup our server on 1 DLT drive, then one day it starting asking for 2 tapes. We insert the 2nd tape, it checks it for a few seconds, then requests the first tape again. We insert the 1st tape, it scans a little then ends promptly. The backups are successfull and have been verified, but why the 2nd tape.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Deek Janoian
djanoian@mslpr.com [sig][/sig]

 

[Guest_imported]

I suspect the data will barely fit on one tape, but the arcserve catalog won't. Look at the job status in ArcServe before you stick the 2nd tape in, and see if it's completed the job, except for the catalog.

 

[kdoherty]

We had the same problem. The first tape is large enough to hold the actual backup, but not large enough to back up the database. You can try purging some files off the server or getting a larger tape drive. [sig][/sig]

 

[Sigrid]

It is possible you have exceeded the space limitations on your drive/tapes. Check to see how much data is being backed up and check to see the limitations on your drive/tapes. You may want to start to compress your files during backup in order to fit more on a tape. I find once you start spanning your backups onto two tapes - a restore becomes a nightmare.

There is nothing wrong with going to 2 tapes - just becomes an issue when restoring - you really have to keep track of which tape comes first and you may have to switch the tapes back and forth when you do a restore.