daemon.log : Is error I/O or device configuration issue?

[aego]

Multiple errors found in daemon.log :

10/14/03 13:27:38 nsrd: media warning: /dev/rmt/1cbn reading: I/O error
(SEVERAL TIMES REPEATED)
10/14/03 13:27:38 nsrd: media notice: volume "xx1234" on device "/dev/rmt/1cbn": error decoding block, check system device configuration, disabling forward space record
10/14/03 13:27:38 nsrd: media info: can not read record 1683 of file 49 on dlt7000 tape "xx1234"

- This happens regularly with several different tapes (new and used).
- This happens every week.

I already reset counters for consecutive errors for this device , but to no avail...

Tapeunits and cabling have been replaced several times already.

What part of the "system device configuration" should i check ?

OS : Solaris 7
Jukebox Storedge L40 w. 2 DLT7000
Legato Networker/ Solstice Backup Version :5.5

I'm in yer face, even when you don't want me to be

 

[605]

This looks like a sporadic error and it is really difficult to help you with. If this would appear from the beginning, i would possibly blame
NW but this looks like you could not even run a successful backup even using OS commands.

Remember that NW only uses OS drivers, so please ensure that your
hardware works properly with tar and others before you use NW.

 

[aego]

605, this is not the case...

A simple tar to the device will work also.

Backups are made, we even managed to restore a system from tape this week. It's very annoying as this happens primarily during weekends ( when no one is around to reset consecutive error counters ) and the full backup needs to be cloned.

___________
I'm in yer face, even when you don't want me to be
___________

 

[605]

It is hard to investigate or even isolate sporadic problems. It could also be due to a faulty controller, a power glitch, a bad terminator, necessary drive cleaning, bad media - there is no straight answer.
However, i do not expect NW to be the problem, because he at least
can react and tries to recover.

 

[TDun]

check the blocking sizes.

 

[605]

If he has written the media by himself, this is not the issue.