bkup exec 8.6 keeps on putting the tape drive offline

[dohc97]

It is running on a Win 2000 platform. It happens at least once a month. We usually can resolve this by shutting down the server and bringing it back online. I am managing this server over the wire. I am in DC while the server is in LA. This is the only server amongst the several servers I manage that is doing this.

 

[tadduci]

I suspect that the tape drive is being power cycled or the comm cable is faulty between the server and the drive. A reboot reinitializes this com link and that's why that works.

Look into those aspects.
Tony

 

[ppretorius]

I used to have the same problem on my old servers. What i did notice though, is that it only happened if i opened backup exec and services were stopped.

Are you by chances stopping the services for any reason?

 

[dohc97]

I do not stop/start the services. Our tech in the LA office rebooted the server 2 days ago and the drive is online again.

 

[dohc97]

It is now happenning again. The drive is getting offline. I closed BE, stop all BE services and restart the services. I open up BE again and I was able to put the drive online. But, when I restart the job, it is getting queued and does not start at all.

 

[ppretorius]

Heya dohc97

After you get the drive online and restart the Job, Can you at least run an Inventory? Or does that not respond either?

P

 

[dohc97]

I also have tried doing an inventory, but it just put the inventory job in queue.

 

[dohc97]

I just noticed that when I go to device manager, it doesn't show a tape drive in there.

 

[ppretorius]

And what about Veritas? Have you contacted them? If so, what did they suggest? (Just to see what they're thinking

I also think tony may be onto something ... Have you tried changing the cables? Or SCSI controller?

 

[ppretorius]

In the device manager ... Have you tried scanning for hardware changes? It pretty much redetects devices and configuration.
Once Done ... What happens?

 

[dohc97]

I have just been looking at veritas' support site and I think I narrowed it down to a scsi issue. In event viewer, it was showing an event id of 9 which tells me of a scsi problem. This is an ongoing problem with this particular server. The drive has been replaced multiple times as well as the scsi card itself.

 

[steveot]

just noticed that when I go to device manager, it doesn't show a tape drive in there

Yes the Event IDs are hardware or SCSI problem.
If you dont see it in Device manager then BE wont see it.
Probably a termination or cables.

 

[ppretorius]

Gr8
Looks like you narrowing it down.
Lets us know what happens ;P