I currently backup our network nightly using ARCSERVE 2000 on a dedicated Windows NT4 SP6a server. Occasionally I get backups that fail because of faulty media (Tape errors), on investigation these are found to be due to tape media errors. I therefore need to remove this media from the GFS pool, but still keep a record of the tapes. I have looked through the ARCSERVE 2000 administrators manual and google'd for an anwser but cannot find the correct method for removing this media from the GFS pool. I have seen several methods but I am not sure which is the correct one. By correct I mean that ARCSERVE keeps a record of this media as being bad and does not remove it from it's database so that if I do need to restore from this media in the future I can but it will not be used in any further backups. I still want to keep a record of this media as it would be useful to know how many tapes have gone bad and at what point and in the event of a last ditch attempt, even if the media will is not writeable it maybe readable.
The methods I have seen are:
1. Remove the media from the GFS pool
I don't think this is correct as it leaves no record of why the media was removed.
2. Export the media to a location that I have specified i.e. Bad tape location
This is mentioned in the manual but it doesn't say what effect this has?
3. Mark the tape as bad in the media pool properties for that tape?
I think the anwser is either option 2 or 3 or 2 and 3. 2 and 3 would mean that it would be possible to see the media was bad and remove it from the GFS screen.
If anyone know the anwser to this or documentation where I can find the procedure for removing bad media from the GFS scheme while still retaining its records, please let me know.
Thanks in advance
Martin
The methods I have seen are:
1. Remove the media from the GFS pool
I don't think this is correct as it leaves no record of why the media was removed.
2. Export the media to a location that I have specified i.e. Bad tape location
This is mentioned in the manual but it doesn't say what effect this has?
3. Mark the tape as bad in the media pool properties for that tape?
I think the anwser is either option 2 or 3 or 2 and 3. 2 and 3 would mean that it would be possible to see the media was bad and remove it from the GFS screen.
If anyone know the anwser to this or documentation where I can find the procedure for removing bad media from the GFS scheme while still retaining its records, please let me know.
Thanks in advance
Martin