Switching tapes between servers

[winntshawn]

Hello all,

I have run into a strange problem. I manage 2 different locations, one in the US and one in Canada. Both locations use Backup Exec 9.0.4454. Both backup systems use DLT7000 drives (differnet brands - US office has one in a robotic library from Benchmark, mine is an internal Compaq-branded drive). We regularly swap weekly and monthly tapes for off-site storage.

Last week, I tried to read a set of tapes that came from our US office to perform a restore - no go (they either comes back as <BAD MEDIA> or <Blank>). I sent the tapes back down to them, and they were able to read them just fine. Also, just to be safe, I checked one of my tapes, and I could read it fine. When I sent it to the US office, they couldn't read it (it came up as <BAD MEDIA> only), and so shipped it back to me. When I got it back, I could see the data on it no problem.

Any ideas what could be happening? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Shawn

 

[SQLBill]

Are both Backup Exec's at the same version (including hotfixes, patches, etc.)?

-SQLBill

 

[winntshawn]

Hey SQLBill,

Yes, both locations are at the same level regarding patches, hotfixes, etc. I have 9.1, but have yet to install it (no time really).

Shawn

 

[SQLBill]

Do you run Inventory on the tape(s) when you load them into your system?

-SQLBill

 

[winntshawn]

Yes, it's when I run the inventory job that I get the message that the system either sees the tape as <BAD MEDIA> or <Blank>.

 

[SQLBill]

Do you run Catalog on the tape after the inventory?

Inventory lets Veritas know what's in the slot/drive.
Catalog lets Veritas know what's on the tape.

-SQLBill

 

[winntshawn]

Nope. Once the tape comes back as <BAD MEDIA> (which is the case more often than <Blank> ), no options are avilable.

-- Shawn