This chapter provides information for configuring and operating NetWorker with your autochanger. See Chapter 4, “Managing Media and Backup Devices,” for additional information pertinent to all backup devices.
The software displays the term “jukebox” so this chapter also uses the term “ jukebox” to refer to an autochanger. Both terms refer to a variety of backup devices, including carousels, libraries, near-line storage, datawheels, and autoloaders.
Jukeboxes automate the task of loading, mounting, and labeling backup media. Before NetWorker can back up to a jukebox, you must do the following:
Install and enable NetWorker server edition, NetWorker network edition, or NetWorker power edition
Enable the NetWorker Autochanger Software Module.
Load and label your backup volumes.
Several jukebox configuration changes occur when you install and enable the Autochanger Software Module. After installation, you can make changes to the available slots, devices, bar code choices, cleaning devices, and auto media management settings. If you want to install additional jukeboxes on your NetWorker server, see the IRIX NetWorker Installation Guide.
 | Note: You cannot add or create jukebox resources using the NetWorker Administrator program. Instead, you must modify jukeboxes previously installed and configured using the jb_config program. |
Use the Jukeboxes window to see the names of the autochangers NetWorker recognizes, and to remove autochangers no longer in use.
The Jukeboxes window displays the configurations selected when you installed the Autochanger Software Module. After installing, enabling, and configuring the jukebox, you can make changes to the following in the Jukeboxes window: Available slots, Devices, Bar code reader, Match bar code labels, and Auto media management.
Open the Jukeboxes window by choosing Jukeboxes from the Media menu. The Jukeboxes window appears, as shown in Figure 7-1.
The following jukebox options appear in the Jukeboxes window. You determine all of these settings when you install and enable the Autochanger Software Module.
Jukeboxes scrolling list—displays the names of the jukeboxes known to the NetWorker server.
Name field—displays the name of the jukebox currently selected in the Jukeboxes scrolling list.
Model choices—displays the model or type of the currently selected jukebox.
Control port field—displays the system pathname of the device that controls the jukebox loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads and unloads the backup volumes into and out of the device(s) in the jukebox.
Devices field—displays the system pathname of the device that controls the media drive currently selected from the Devices scrolling list. The scrolling list displays the system pathnames for all of the devices located in the jukebox. Devices inside a jukebox, like single-media devices, are configured using the Devices window. Configure the jukebox devices before using the Jukeboxes window to complete the jukebox configuration.
Use the change, add, and delete buttons to change, add, or delete the highlighted device pathname in the Devices field in the Jukeboxes window. See “Navigating the Devices Window” for more information about the Devices window.
Devices inside of a jukebox are designated by (J) next to their pathname in the Devices display of the NetWorker Administrator window, as shown in Figure 7-2.
Bar code reader choices—provides choices for labeling your backup volumes with bar code labels.
For more information on bar code labels, see the section “Labeling With Bar Codes”.
Match bar code labels choices—provides choices for matching the bar code label to the volume label.
If your jukebox device lacks a bar code reader, select No for the Bar code reader and Match bar code labels choices.
Available slots field—displays the available slot range currently selected in the scrolling list. NetWorker uses any backup volumes in this range to back up the data from the clients on the network. The Available slots correspond to the numbered slots available for holding backup volumes inside the jukebox. Typically, the slots are identified by a range of numbers. Entering just a single number—for example, 10—restricts access to just that slot (slot “10”). Entering the number “10” is not the same as entering “1 through 10.”
Auto clean choices—use to enable or disable the automatic cleaning function. When Auto clean is enabled and Cleaning interval is defined, NetWorker automatically cleans the devices in the jukebox and sends a “Device cleaned” notification, indicating that the cleaning process is complete. Auto clean is disabled, by default.
When you disable Auto clean, NetWorker ignores the value of Cleaning slots and uses the slots for backup volumes. NetWorker does not automatically clean the devices in the jukebox. If the Cleaning interval field contains a value, NetWorker sends a “Device cleaning required” notification message, indicating that the device needs cleaning. Disable Auto clean to manually load a cleaning cartridge in the jukebox.
Cleaning slots field—reserves a specified slot or range of slots in the jukebox for the cleaning cartridge(s). NetWorker automatically selects the correct slots for cleaning when you configure the jukebox.
A single positive integer reserves the specified slot; two positive integers separated by a hyphen reserve a specified range of slots. If this field is blank or Auto clean is disabled, no slot is reserved for a cleaning cartridge.
Default cleanings field– determines the number of times NetWorker uses a new cleaning cartridge mounted in a jukebox. NetWorker automatically selects the correct number of default cleanings when you first configure the jukebox.
When the cartridge has been used the specified number of times, NetWorker sends a “Cleaning cartridge expired” notification message, indicating the cartridge is used up and needs replacing.
Auto media management choices—gives NetWorker exclusive control over the media loaded in a jukebox. If you select Yes, NetWorker automatically labels, mounts, and writes to volumes it considers unlabeled. If you select No, NetWorker ignores the unlabeled media and does not consider it for backup.
To add more devices to a jukebox, you must first configure the NetWorker server to recognize the added devices. Then you must enter pathnames for the jukebox devices in the Jukeboxes window so NetWorker recognizes that these devices belong to the jukebox.
 | Tip: After you add a device pathname to the Devices window, you must also add it to the Devices field in the Jukeboxes window. NetWorker must associate the device in the jukebox with the jukebox name. See “Navigating the Devices Window” for a description of the Devices window. |
To add a device to a jukebox, follow these steps:
Choose Devices from the Media menu.
Click the Create button in the Devices window, shown in Figure 7-3.
Enter the jukebox device pathname in the Name field.
Select the appropriate Media type choice for the device you are adding to the jukebox. By default, Yes is selected for the Enabled choices.
Enter a value for Cleaning interval. This field accepts any combination of numbers and time periods, with or without a space between: 2day, 2 days; 3week, 3 weeks; 6month, 6 months; and so on.
NetWorker keeps track of the time elapsed since the last cleaning and determines when cleaning is required. A blank value in Cleaning interval disables the automatic cleaning function.
Click the Apply button.
Next, enter the jukebox devices in the Jukeboxes window:
Choose Jukeboxes from the Media menu.
In the Jukeboxes window, enter the jukebox device pathname in the Devices field, as shown in Figure 7-4.
Click the add button to the right of the Devices scrolling list.
Click the Apply button.
For an alternate method of determining the names of devices within a jukebox, see “Testing the Device Driver Installation” in the Installation and Maintenance Guide.
The Available slots feature controls exactly which backup volumes NetWorker uses for backing up data. NetWorker uses all of the volumes in the jukebox for recovers. However, you can control which volumes NetWorker automatically selects for backups by designating a range of available slots in the jukebox.
For example, you may designate slots 1 through 7 for your NetWorker backups in a jukebox that contains 10 slots, as shown in Figure 7-6. The entries can be a range of slot numbers or a single slot number.
To change the available slots:
Enter the range of available slots into the Available slots field.
Click the change button. The slot numbers appear in the Available slots scrolling list.
Click the Apply button in the Jukeboxes window.
With two-sided media, the number of available slots is always one half the number of labels (or sides of the optical disks). For example, if you have 32 optical disks, labeled atlas.001.a to atlas.032.b, you have a total of 64 labels (and 64 sides), but only 32 slots.
| Tip: Make sure you have placed backup volumes in all the available slots of the jukebox so NetWorker can proceed uninterrupted with an automatic backup. |
Maintaining a backup device in good working order requires periodic cleaning. NetWorker provides automatic cleaning of devices located in a jukebox; NetWorker does not support automatic cleaning for standalone devices.
Use both the Jukeboxes and Devices windows to make the necessary selections for automatically cleaning your jukebox devices. The choices specific to the jukebox appear in the Jukeboxes dialog box where you enable and disable the automatic cleaning feature. Select the cleaning slot(s) for the cartridge(s).
The functions specific to the devices located in the jukebox appear the in the Devices window where you are notified when a device needs cleaning, the date the device was last cleaned, and decide how often a device should be cleaned.
NetWorker cleans devices only before mounting or after unmounting a backup volume to ensure that there will not be any interference with other jukebox operations.
Cleaning cartridge support provides the notification messages listed in Table 7-1 to keep you informed about cleaning cartridge operations:
Table 7-1. Cleaning Cartridge Notifications
Notification Message | Meaning |
|---|---|
Device cleaning required | Auto Clean is disabled and the device needs to be cleaned. |
Device cleaned | Auto Clean is enabled and the device has been cleaned. |
Cleaning cartridge required | Auto Clean enabled and no usable cleaning cartridge is available. |
Cleaning cartridge expired | Cleaning cartridge has been used the specified number of times. |
Check the documentation from your jukebox manufacturer for recommendations on the frequency and cleaning methods for your jukebox devices.
Auto media management further automates the backup procedure by freeing the administrator from the task of prelabeling volumes before backup. When Auto media management is enabled in the Jukebox dialog box, NetWorker assumes that the backup volumes loaded in the jukebox may be handled exclusively as NetWorker media. Backup volumes that appear unlabeled are considered blank and are automatically labeled, mounted, and overwritten with new data. NetWorker uses backup volumes that it considers unlabeled only if it cannot locate a writable volume or a volume ready for recycling.
NetWorker does not recognize the following and considers these volumes unlabeled:
Volumes without a label.
Volumes labeled with something other than a NetWorker label.
Volumes with NetWorker labels that were written in a density different than the device in which it is currently loaded. For example, if you performed NetWorker backups on an older 8 mm tape drive, a newer 8 mm tape drive may not be able to read the volumes from the older device because a different density was used to write the data.
Caution: Be careful about sharing NetWorker volumes between different backup devices if you have Auto media management enabled. You could potentially relabel and overwrite valuable data.
The Auto media management feature is located in both the Jukebox and Devices windows. For jukeboxes, you only need to enable Auto media management in the Jukeboxes window. NetWorker does not allow you to enable Auto media management in the Devices window if the device is located in a jukebox.
| Note: If you back up to a standalone device and want to use these automated features, see “Using the Auto Media Management Feature”. |
When Auto media management is enabled, NetWorker assumes that the jukebox is exclusive to NetWorker and handles the backup volumes loaded in the device as NetWorker media. Do not enable this feature if the jukebox or device is a shared resource, because NetWorker assumes it can label and overwrite any media it considers unlabeled. However, if the jukebox is a shared device, you may use the available slot range to restrict the volumes NetWorker uses for backup. If you place or store in the jukebox other backup volumes that you do not want NetWorker to use, place them in slots that are not included in the available slot range.
This section contains information for performing jukebox operations, using other choices located in the Media menu. You may need to perform some of these tasks daily and others less frequently, depending on a variety of factors. For example, the frequency with which you perform these tasks depends upon the number of backup volumes you label at one time, how often you change the contents of your jukebox, and how often you need to manually mount volumes for backup.
To mount a backup volume in a jukebox, you must first make sure the correct jukebox device is selected in the NetWorker Administrator window. This is especially important if you have the NetWorker server configured to use more than one device.
Open the Jukebox Mounting dialog box (shown in Figure 7-7) by selecting a jukebox from the Devices display list in the NetWorker Administrator window, then clicking the Mount speedbar button or choosing Mount from the Media menu.
The Jukebox Mounting dialog box displays the name of the NetWorker server and the system pathname of the selected jukebox device. The Volume field displays the name of the currently selected backup volume.
The scrolling list displays the slot numbers (Slot), the label of the volume stored in the slot (Volume), the pool (Pool) to which the volume belongs, and the percentage of the capacity filled on the backup volume (% Used). Use this information to determine which volumes to mount in the jukebox. You may not want to mount full volumes or volumes near capacity. To mount the selected backup volume in the jukebox, first select it from the list, then click the Ok button.
| Tip: Although jukebox devices are identified by (J) next to their pathname in the NetWorker Administrator window, it is a good idea to place an adhesive label on the jukebox identifying its device pathname(s). This is to remind you which device pathname(s) belong to the jukebox. This practice is especially helpful with multiple jukeboxes |
Use the Jukebox Labeling dialog box to make the necessary choices for labeling the backup volumes in a jukebox. Select a backup device located in a jukebox from the Devices display in the NetWorker Administrator window. Then click the Label speedbar button, or choose Label from the Media menu. The Jukebox Labeling dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 7-8.
The Jukebox Labeling dialog box displays the name of the NetWorker server and the system pathname of the selected jukebox device. NetWorker starts labeling the media in the jukebox with the label displayed in the Starting with field.
The First slot and Last slot fields display the range of slots containing backup volumes that NetWorker labels according to the label template selected in the Pools window. Use these fields to control the range of slots in the jukebox for labeling or updating backup volumes.
NetWorker uses the label template currently selected in the Pools window to label backup volumes loaded in the jukebox. Choose a label template from the Pools window or create your own before starting a labeling session.
| Tip: It takes NetWorker some time to label the volumes in a jukebox. You may want to perform the labeling process at a time when you do not need to back up or recover files. |
To label the backup volumes in a jukebox, follow these steps:
Select the jukebox device in the Devices display in the NetWorker Administrator window. A jukebox device is identified by (J) next to its pathname.
Open the Jukebox Labeling dialog box by selecting the device in the Devices display, and then choosing the Label command from the Media menu or clicking the Label speedbar button.
Override the range of slots specified by the label template, if desired, by entering slot numbers into the First slot and Last slot fields in the Jukebox Labeling dialog box.
Select a pool from the Pool choices for the volumes being labeled in the jukebox. NetWorker uses the label template associated with that pool to label the volumes.
Note: Only the pools enabled in the Pools window appear in the Jukebox Labeling dialog box. Select the Manual recycle toggle button only if you want to manually recycle the backup volume.
If you select Manual recycle, any previous browse and retention policies chosen for the volume and its save sets will be overridden and the volume must be recycled manually. Use this option if you plan on backing up important data to either cloned or noncloned volumes, and you want to decide when the data and the volumes are ready for recycling.
Click the Ok button to begin the labeling process. A confirmation message appears, as shown in Figure 7-9.
When a valid NetWorker label already exists on the media you are trying to label, a confirmation message appears. The confirmation is important because it keeps you from accidentally relabeling the media. When a backup volume is relabeled, its contents under the previous label cannot be recovered. When you select OK to confirm, the volumes in the slots are loaded, labeled, and unloaded.
If you label a specific range of backup volumes, the Starting with name must match the label template. If you label a single backup volume, you can use any name—it does not have to match the label template. The First and Last slots must be identical when labeling a single volume.
The following examples illustrate labeling a specific range and a single volume.
First example: If you previously labeled six tapes and need to label six more, your Jukebox Labeling dialog box might look like Figure 7-10.
| Caution: If you remove backup volumes from the jukebox, remember there may still be one or more volumes left in the jukebox devices. Make sure to unmount them by selecting the jukebox devices, then clicking the Unmount speedbar button or choosing Unmount from the Media menu. This prevents you from accidentally relabeling these volumes when you reload the jukebox with new volumes. |
Second example: If you label a single backup volume, the First slot and Last slot must be identical, as shown in Figure 7-11.
The Jukebox Labeling dialog box gives you control over volume labeling. You can use a label template to generate names as needed or you can specify a single unique name.
For more information on labeling volumes, see “Using Label Templates”.
Labeling media with bar code labels provides two distinct advantages: it significantly speeds up volume inventory and provides improved labeling accuracy.
Inventorying with bar code labels is fast and efficient because you do not have to load the volumes into the device. Instead, the jukebox scans the external bar code labels with an infrared light while the volumes remain in their slots. Inventorying with bar code labels greatly reduces the time it takes to locate a volume or determine the contents of a carousel cartridge.
Bar code labels also provide greater labeling accuracy because the labels are attached to the media prior to being loaded and scanned in the jukebox. Once the jukebox scans the bar code label, NetWorker records and tracks the label in the media index.
| Note: NetWorker uses bar code labels for only one reason: to inventory backup volumes. NetWorker uses the volume label (normally created with a label template) for identifying the volumes required for backup and recovery. However, NetWorker displays both the bar code label and the volume label in the Pending display of the NetWorker Administrator window when requesting a volume. You may also open the Volumes window to view both the volume label and its associated bar code label. |
A backup volume must have a volume label, but does not require a bar code label. Use the Jukeboxes window and the Jukebox Labeling dialog box to recognize bar code labels.
To label your NetWorker volumes with bar code labels, follow these steps:
Properly apply the bar code labels to your backup volumes.
Place the volumes with the bar code labels in the jukebox.
Choose Jukeboxes from the Media menu. The Jukeboxes window appears.
Click the Yes button to enable the Bar code reader.
If you want the volume label (normally created from label templates) to match the bar code label, click Yes in the Match bar code labels choices. If you do not want the volume label to match the bar code label, click No.
In either case, two labels result: the bar code label, and the volume label (which may or may not match the bar code label depending upon the Match bar code labels choice you made).
Open the Jukebox Labeling dialog box by choosing Label from the Media menu.
If you chose Yes for the Match bar code labels choices in the Jukeboxes window, the Starting with field in the Jukebox Labeling dialog box displays Bar code label, as shown in Figure 7-12.
If you chose No for the Match bar code labels choices in the Jukeboxes window, the Starting with field in the Jukebox Labeling dialog box displays a label template name, as shown under “Jukebox Labeling Dialog Box”.
Once you select your bar code label choices and label the backup volume, both volume names and bar code labels for the volume appear in the Volume Management window, as shown in Figure 7-13.
The volume label and the bar code label are both pieces of information that NetWorker uses to identify backup volumes. Both labels are recorded in the media index. However, the volume label is also recorded internally on the media. NetWorker uses bar code labels for inventorying volumes and uses the volume labels to identify the volumes needed for backup and recovery. You can require the volume and bar code label to match, by making appropriate selections for bar code labeling in the Jukeboxes window.
If you try to label a second volume with an identical bar code label, and you have enabled Matching bar code labels in the Jukeboxes window, NetWorker displays an error message and does not allow you to label the second volume. The error message identifies the jukebox slots containing the two volumes with identical labels and the bar code number. To correct the problem, you must either apply a different label and begin the labeling process again, or you must disable Match bar code labels in the Jukeboxes window while labeling the second volume.
| Caution: If you choose not to match the volume label with the bar code label, it is advisable to create and attach volume labels on the outside of media volumes. |
If you choose to have the labels not match, we suggest you label the volumes in this manner:
Attach all of the bar code labels to the media, then load the volumes in the jukebox.
Begin the labeling process. Click Yes for the Bar code reader choice, and click No for the Match bar code labels choice in the Jukeboxes window. NetWorker uses the next available label from the label template for the volume name. NetWorker labels the volumes and records both labels in the media index.
Open the Volumes window, after NetWorker completes the labeling process, to determine the volume label and bar code label for each volume. Create your own volume labels to attach to the backup volumes.
Use the information in the Volumes window to match the correct volume labels to the bar code labels. This is the easiest way to make sure that you attach the correct volume labels to the volumes with bar code labels.
If you click Yes for the bar code choices and forget to attach a bar code label, you receive an error message informing you that there is no bar code label for that volume.
It is not necessary to label existing backup volumes with bar code labels if they are stored in a vault or offsite for long periods at a time. This is because you will not inventory these volumes often, if ever. However, if you have volumes you use often for recovery or for overwriting with new data, it is beneficial to label them with bar code labels. Labeling these volumes with bar codes saves you hours of time inventorying your backup volumes.
If you decide to use bar code labels on your existing backup volumes, you must first apply the bar code labels to the existing volumes. Then, load and mount each volume individually so NetWorker can match the bar code label with the existing volume label.
| Tip: You may purchase a variety of bar code labels from a third-party vendor. You can choose numeric, alphanumeric, or a special combination of numbers and characters to meet your labeling needs. You can even order bar code labels that match your current volume labeling scheme. |
If you label your volumes with the server name and an extension such as “001,” order a range of labels starting with “server_name.001” and ending with “server_name.100.” Labeling instructions for bar code labels are usually provided with your jukebox hardware documentation. If you have questions about bar code labels, contact the hardware manufacturer.
Using a consistent labeling scheme helps you better organize and track your backup volumes. It also aids the inventory process if all the volumes use bar code labels rather than just a limited number of them.
When NetWorker relabels volumes automatically, it reuses the original volume label name. You can only change the label name if you relabel the volumes manually. NetWorker scans the bar code label during the labeling process and updates the media index with the new volume name and its associated bar code label.
Use the Jukebox Inventory dialog box to enter the range of slots you want NetWorker to inventory in your jukebox. It is a good idea to inventory backup volumes in a jukebox when volumes have been moved or added. To bring up the Jukebox Inventory dialog box, choose Inventory from the Media menu.
To inventory backup volumes in a jukebox, follow these steps:
Load the new backup volumes into the jukebox.
Select the jukebox device in the Devices panel of the NetWorker Administrator window. Jukebox devices are marked with (J).
Choose Inventory from the Media menu.
The Jukebox Inventory dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 7-14.
Enter the range of slots you want to inventory in the First and Last Slot fields.
Click Ok to begin the inventory. The Jukebox Inventory dialog box displays a message showing the progress of the inventory operation (see Figure 7-15). Since NetWorker mounts each backup volume, reads its label, and unmounts it, the inventory process can take some time to complete.
You may cancel the inventory operation after NetWorker completes inventorying the current volume by clicking Cancel in the Jukebox Inventory dialog box. Click Cancel to close the window when the inventory is complete.
After completing an inventory, NetWorker registers the contents of the jukebox and then proceeds with its network-wide backup and recover services.
Your jukebox may support the element status feature. This feature, along with the bar code label feature, speeds up the inventory process by eliminating the need to load and read volume labels. NetWorker uses the element status feature to determine whether or not a slot contains a volume. If the volume has a bar code label, NetWorker reads it without loading the volume.
If you perform an inventory on a jukebox containing volumes without bar code labels, NetWorker must load the volume to read the internal label. In this case, the element status feature is not beneficial.
Check the documentation from your jukebox manufacturer for information on features for your jukebox.
If you are not using bar code labels and want to disable the element status option for your jukebox, follow these steps:
Choose Jukeboxes from the Media menu in the NetWorker Administrator window.
Choose Details from the View menu in the Jukeboxes window.
Use the scroll bar to move down and make the Jukebox options field visible.
Enter the following option in the Jukebox options field, then click add to add it to the Jukebox options list and disable the element status option:
!element_status
The option is added to the Jukebox options list, as shown in Figure 7-16. Click Apply to save the new jukebox settings, or click Reset to restore the previous settings.
To restore the element status feature, select the setting from the Jukebox options list and click delete, then click Apply.
When NetWorker labels the contents of a jukebox, it registers the location of the backup volumes in the jukebox slots when it assigns the volume label. As long as you do not change the volumes in the jukebox after labeling them, NetWorker can access the volumes because each volume label is assigned to a specific slot.
However, if you change the contents of the jukebox without performing the labeling process, or if you move volumes into new slots, you must inform NetWorker that the jukebox now holds a different set of labeled volumes or that the volumes are in a different order. This is called taking inventory.
When you inventory the volumes in the jukebox, NetWorker reads the label of each volume and records its slot number. For example, if you have more than one job pack for a jukebox, you must inventory each time you remove one job pack and load another one into the jukebox, if you do not label the volumes in the new job pack.
NetWorker permits devices to read bar code labels to speed up the inventory process. Silicon Graphics strongly recommends that you use bar code labels if you have a large number of backup volumes or change your jukebox contents often. See “Labeling With Bar Codes” for more information.
NetWorker uses electronic mail to send notices about NetWorker events. The software uses the three Tape mount request notices to inform the system administrator that the jukebox needs attention. The notification Tape mount request 1 is undefined so you can create your own notification message.
The following situations require attention:
The backup volumes in the jukebox are 90% full.
The jukebox needs more backup volumes to continue.
The jukebox has a mechanical problem.
The jukebox device needs cleaning.
The cleaning cartridge in the jukebox needs replacing.
Choose Notifications from the Customize menu to open the Notifications dialog box. The Notifications window contains tape mount and device cleaning request notifications pertaining to jukebox operations. See “Setting Up Event Notification” for more information.
NetWorker automatically mounts the correct volume so that the recovery proceeds as long as the volume is loaded in the jukebox. If NetWorker requires backup volumes for a recovery that are not loaded in the jukebox, you receive a notice in the Pending window of the NetWorker Administrator program.
After you correct a jukebox problem, you may need to mount a backup volume before continuing backup or recovery. Check the Pending display in the NetWorker Administrator window for messages.
This section provides additional suggestions to help you use your jukebox and backup media effectively and reliably.
NetWorker can save on volumes marked appen (appendable) in the Volume Management window. If the volumes inside a jukebox are marked full, they cannot receive additional backups. You can do one of the following with volumes marked full:
If you need to keep the volumes for long-term storage, remove the full volumes and replace them with new media.
If you do not need data on the full volumes, you can manually change the mode to recyc in the Volume Management window and NetWorker will overwrite data with new backups, yet maintain the existing labels. This is the only instance where you do not need to relabel a volume to make it eligible to be overwritten with new data.
Note: The mode of a volume is automatically changed to recyclable when all of the save sets on the volume have passed the time period specified by its retention policy.
There are advantages to both recycling media and adding more media to a pool. By recycling, you reuse the same backup volumes and do not add new volumes to the pool. However, the media may wear out over time and have a higher failure rate.
On the other hand, if your site requires that you maintain the backups in storage for a certain period of time, then you may have to add more media to the volume pool instead of recycling it. For example, a jukebox may need new backup volumes every three months if the company policy is to maintain the backups for a year. In this case, you have to keep adding new media to the pool until you can recycle the backup volumes that contain expired or old backups.
A cartridge access port (CAP) allows you to deposit and withdraw media cartridges in a jukebox without opening the door to the jukebox. Each time you open the door of a jukebox to add or remove media, you invalidate the status of the jukebox. You then need to reinventory the contents of the jukebox so that NetWorker can track the backup media. The inventory process can take a long time to complete.
This CAP feature is useful because you can add (deposit) and remove (withdraw) backup volumes in a jukebox without having to reinventory the jukebox.
When you use the CAP to deposit or withdraw backup volumes, NetWorker does not automatically take inventory, read bar code labels, or locate empty slots in the jukebox. Use the Jukebox Inventory dialog box and Jukeboxes window for these tasks.
To deposit a cartridge using the CAP, follow these steps:
Press the button on the front of the jukebox to move the cartridge holder forward and open the CAP.
Place the cartridge in the holder.
Press the button again to move the media into the jukebox and close the CAP.
At the NetWorker server, enter the nsrjb command at the system prompt, replacing slot with the slot number for the cartridge, and volume with the label name of the backup volume:
nsrjb -d -S slot volume
If you do not specify a volume name with the nsrjb command, NetWorker marks the slot with a hyphen and asterisk (–*) to indicate that the volume in that slot is unknown.
You need to inventory the slot with this command:
nsrjb -I -S slot |
To verify that the backup volume was deposited in the correct slot, click the Mount button in the NetWorker Administrator window.
To withdraw a backup volume from a specific slot in the jukebox, follow these steps:
At the NetWorker server, enter the nsrjb command at the system prompt, replacing slot with the slot number for the cartridge, and volume with the label name of the backup volume:
nsrjb -w { -S slot | volume | slot volume }When the media cartridge reaches the CAP, press the button to open the CAP.
Remove the backup volume and close the CAP.
If you plan to have full and nonfull backups, we recommend that you estimate the number of volumes needed for your full backups and assign them to the Full pool in the Jukebox Labeling dialog box. This ensures that your full backups are located in a consecutive range of slots in the jukebox, which makes it easy for you to remove all of the volumes at the same time.