Tape request notification?

[Calz]

We use Arcserve 6.61 enterprise on NT4 here at work. We have three backup servers (soon to be more) holding approx 15 DLT 35/70 units which up until recently where looked after by an Operations team overnight if any of the drives required a second tape but cost cutting etc etc these guys no longer are able to perform this service.

Is there anyway I can get the servers to broadcast or email a user/PC that the server requires a second tape in X drive etc? I've looked at the Alert manager for CA but to say info on it as best crap is an understatement, I can get it to send test messages etc and looked at the alert tab in the Server admin prog which asks for "text" for alert to search for and send but where does it pull this info from? If it's the activity log then tape requests aren't listed in there...

Please help!!!

 

[monkeylizard]

***DISCLAIMER***
I don't use this feature, so tis advice is worth what you've paid for it.

When creating a backup job, click the Option button on the toolbar and then go to the Alert tab. From the Event drop down list, select Customized Event. In the Code field below that drop-down list, enter the first part of the error code that appears in the Activity Log for "Hey dummy, I need another tape". Sorry, but I don't know that error code off the top of my head.

Next, choose your Delivery Method by selecting one from the drop down list entitled Methods & Recipients. If there aren't any setup, click the Configure button, fuddle your way through the lousy interface, OK your way back to the Alert tab and click the Add button in the upper right hand corner and voila!

Again, this is only the theory behind the practice...Knowing this product like I do...good luck. You're gonna need it. Monkeylizard
-Isaiah 35-

 

[Calz]

I've scanned through the activity log and I can't see any messages asking for another tape

 

[nparker]

When you go into the option part, you can put an * in the alert box for each alert setting and you will get a message for each alert that goes into the system.

 

[BillHicks]

Ok - this is how you do it. This is a messy way of doing it but if you want a dependable way of doing it, this method works every time. CA documentation is very bad.

1) Start Cheyenne Alert Notification Service
2) Go to Start->>Programs->>ArcserveIT->>Server Admin. Go to config and hit the Alert tab
3) Add these strings... next tape
unable to find
4) Go to Start->>Programs->>ArcserveIT->>Alert Manager.
5) Drill down to the Arcserve->>Broadcast. Choose a Win95/98 machine on your network that the Ops have eye contact with and add that to the Broadcast target list.
6) Download and run the app Winpopup on the target machine.

Now, every time the strings 'next tape' or 'unable to find' are written to the Arcserve log, a window will popup on the Ops PC with the next tape message. You can customise the things it looks for however you want too. As well as 'next tape and unable to find', we have 'Backup Operation Successful, cancelled, incomplete, description, Backup Operation Failed' etc searched for.

If you dont want to mess around with SysMan products like Unicentre or Tivoli, this can save a lot of money

 

[hhughes]

although the alert manager is a viable way to get the message about adding another tape, put the problem to bed.
I have a small tape library that will hold 12 tapes.
I keep it loaded with blanks for times as you describe.
howie