Unable to Import Tape

[bmac2003]

Hi.

I am running netbackup 5.0ga.

I am trying to import a tape so I can eventually restore the contents of it. I am able to initialize import of the tape, but when I go to actualy import the tape I am unable to. This is what i get in detailed status.

Error bptm(pid=3036) cannot read image from media id S00557, drive index 1, err = 234
3/12/2008 1:17:48 PM - Error bpimport(pid=1644) Import of policy Validation, schedule Test (nb-bkp-7_1205193049) failed, media read error.
3/12/2008 1:17:48 PM - Error bpimport(pid=1644) Status = no images were successfully processed.
3/12/2008 1:17:48 PM - end Import; elapsed time: 00:00:06
no images were successfully processed(191)

I clicked on services and it says Netbackup Persistent Storage Manager is disabled. I can't start it up. All other services are running. Is that not running do to me not having the proper license?

I'm just assuming that me not having that service is what is not allowing me to import the tape. If there is another reason anyone knows for me not being able to import the tape(or any tapes) then please let me know. That was just the first thing I thought.

Thank You.

 

[Stumpr]

Is this part correctly read from the tape?
Import of policy Validation, schedule Test (nb-bkp-7_1205193049)

If yes then that is a very small part on the tape. perhaps there is a block size difference. See this technote:

Tapes are failing with a Status Code 85 (media read error) on Phase 2 of the import process.

http://support.veritas.com/docs/278934

Details:
Overview: Tapes are failing with a Status Code 85 (media read error) on Phase 2 of the import process.

Troubleshooting:
Review the block_size value of the media being imported, by using the bpmedialist command. For media ID "BACK01", run the following command (block_size value shown in bold for clarity):

#bpmedialist -mcontents -m BACK01 -L

backup_id = davetest_1101204634, version = 2
creation = 11/23/2004 10:48:26 (1101206906)
expiration = 12/07/2004 10:10:34 (1102414234)
retention_level = 1, fragment = 1, file_num = 1
block_size = 131072, status = 0x0
media_id = BACK01, size = 0, data_start = 0
client_type = 0, copy_num = 2
sched_type = 0, flags = 0x0
policy = elma_test
sched_label = whatever
opt_extra = 0, mpx_headers = 0, res1 = 0


Media Server Log Files:
In the bptm log file, the following error message is seen:

08:54:06.970 [5532.560] <4> read_backup: begin reading backup id lnad28_1093937348 (import), copy 1, fragment 1 from media id E00687 on drive index 0
08:54:06.970 [5532.560] <2> read_data: last_frag = 1, opt_bytes_left = 0, tape_Kbytes_left = 0, opt_remainder = 0
08:54:06.970 [5532.560] <2> get_tape_position_for_read: absolute block position prior to reading is 10200
08:54:07.189 [5532.560] <2> read_data: ReadFile returned FALSE, More data is available. (234);bytes = 122880
08:54:07.189 [5532.560] <2> is_possible_recoverable_error: not attempting error recovery, errno = 234
08:54:07.955 [5532.560] <16> read_data: cannot read image from media id E00687, drive index 0, err = 234
08:54:07.955 [5532.560] <2> log_media_error: successfully wrote to error file - 09/01/05 08:54:07 E00687 0 READ_ERROR
08:55:32.437 [5532.560] <2> bptm: EXITING with status 85 <----------


Resolution:
The original backups were written to tape using 128K block size. The machine on which the tapes are being imported is limited to reading 64K block sizes. This issue can be resolved by:

1. Installing HBA capable of setting scatter/gather settings, allowing the hardware to process larger block sizes.
2. Bringing the tape back to the original media server, duplicate the tape using 64K block size, and then importing on the new machine.
3. Using a media server capable of reading 128K block size to import the media.

NOTE:
1. A restore can be affected in the same way if a library or drives are moved from one media server to another (of a different operating system), or, in the case of a piece of media, put in a different media server than the one which did the original backup.

2. The block size limitation is due to the SCSI adapter and driver, not a limitation of the operating system.

3. If the hardware doesn't support block sizes higher than 64K, it may not be noticed until imports or restores are attempted.

4. The registry setting MaximumSGList is dependent on the hardware used. Some vendors may support scatter/gather settings which "trick" the server and the SCSI subsystem into reading larger block sizes. Not all vendors, however, support this with their drivers.


Bob Stump
VERITAS - "Ain't it the truth?"

 

[bmac2003]

thank you very much.

I will look into it being a block size difference.

 

[Stumpr]

The block size has been a common problem for importing tapes. I have seen this type of problem/solution posted before in different forums. You might want to google.


Bob Stump
VERITAS - "Ain't it the truth?"

 

[bmac2003]

The block size was 262kb. I got the machine to be able to process blocks larger than that and I ran netbackup import again and it still wasn't able to. I went in the log of the phase one import and it said:

Found existing image. Cannot import client. copy 1 fragment 1 already exists. Skipping this image.

It did that for all of them. It looks like nothing was imported. So no wonder it wasn't able to find any images during the phase 2 import.

 

[Stumpr]

Did you look in the catalog to see if the iamages actually exist or if they are empty?


Bob Stump
VERITAS - "Ain't it the truth?"

 

[bmac2003]

I can only do a phase 1 import. So I can't view a catalog of the tape.

unless you mean something else?

 

[Stumpr]

Yes, I was talking about the existence of the folders and file in the ...netbackup/db/images/CLIENTNAME

bpexpdate -backupid BACKUPIMAGE -d 0 for any that truly exist and then start over the phase 1

Bob Stump
VERITAS - "Ain't it the truth?"

 

[bmac2003]

Yes. There are a few files and folders in that directory. But there is much more on the tape than what is listed in there. MOst of the files listed in there are 1kb.