V 9.0 does not overwrite tapes

[SolveIT]

We have Brightstor v 9.0 (build 2020) running on our Windows 2003 server with a SQL database and the Arcserve Brightstor SQL option. Our daily backup job does not retain the "Overwrite media" settings. I always reverts to "Append". We want to put Thursday's tape in on Thursday and have the backup overwrite thr tape automatically and run the backup. As it is now, we have to erase the tape every day in order to run the backup. What are we doing wrong? Is there a pre-process script we can run to overwrite the tapes? Any help is truly appreciated - Aidan

 

[vschumpy]

Depends on how you are setup - if you are using a rotation then the media re-use rules are set in the rotation screen and the ones in global options are ignored - it's a common area of confusion (and in fact CA updated the GUI in later versions). You may also find benefit in patching up to the latest level. You can find out more on patch levels for v9.x from this useful document:

http://supportconnect.ca.com/sc/redir.jsp?reqPage=search&searchID=TEC377202

 

[SolveIT]

Thanks - our backup does not have the "Use rotation scheme" box checked. The "custom schedule" box is checked. I downloaded the Q038491.caz update from the site you gave me and will apply it tonight. Thanks again for your help - Aidan

 

[vschumpy]

QO38491 is the build you're already at - you'd be wanting QO65196 if you have the english version to bring you up to SP1.

 

[SolveIT]

Thanks. We downloaded and installed the service pack. CA support tells us that the build should now read 2100 instead of 2020 but we still show 2020 even though the update ran without errors and we rebooted the server.
We still can't get the settings to retain "overwrite" instead of "append".
Is there any script we can execute to automate the erase tape or overwrite tape process since the Global settings are not working for us? Thanks again - Aidan

 

[davidmichel]

By any chance is SP1 installed for W2K3?
If so that might be a problem since only 11.1 or 11.5 work correctly once W2K3 SP1 is installed.

The job might be correct and it might just be a problem in the manager. Go to the Job Status window and take a look under Job Details to see if the job is configured for overwrite or append.

tapetest.exe is a utility that can be run as a Pre command to erase a tape.