Disaster Recovery Backup
The Disaster Recovery Backup is the backup of the SQL database that stores all the information of a CommCell. By default, a full disaster recovery backup is performed daily for any CommServe. When the production CommServe is down, you can use the most recent disaster recovery backup of the production CommServe to restore the database on a standby CommServe.
Prerequisites
Ensure that the following information is available:
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The barcodes of the tapes that contain the backup data.
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Media Passwords, if the media belongs to a foreign CommCell.
Note
If you are recovering data from spanned media, make sure all tapes are available
Disable all activity at the CommServe to avoid existing tapes getting discovered as empty media and being picked up and overwritten by backup jobs.
Keep all activities disabled until all tapes inserted are in the Catalog Media group.
Considerations for the Restoring Disaster Recovery Backup Data in the Same CommCell
If the disaster recovery backup data is available on a tape. perform the steps below to recover the disaster recovery backup data.
Note
After merging the metadata, DR jobs can be restored by viewing the job history, including aged jobs.
Considerations for Restoring Backup Jobs That Are Performed after the Disaster Recovery Backup
If the CommServe database is restored using the most recent disaster recovery backup, the database does not contain any records of the backup jobs performed after the disaster recovery backup. You can restore data from any such backup job if the actual backup data is still available on the tape.
Considerations for Restoring Disaster Recovery Backup on a Foreign CommCell using Tape Import
If the disaster recovery backup data is available on a tape and the production CommCell is not functional, perform the following steps to recover the disaster recovery backup data.
You will need to install a fresh CommServe, for which you will get an evaluation license of 30 days.
Note
The backup jobs available on the tape are merged to the CommServe database. A dummy client with a File System agent and a dummy subclient with name DRSubclient are created automatically and the DR jobs appear in the backup history of this DRSubclient. By default, the client name will be the name of production CommServe. These jobs are treated as regular aged backup jobs and not disaster recovery backup jobs. Restoring these jobs, make the dump accessible to a standby CommServe.
Cataloging the Tape
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Insert the tape in a free slot of the tape library in the CommCell.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | <Tape Library> | Media By Location | Media in Library. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes available in the tape library.
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Use the Barcode column to identify the tape that contains the required backup data.
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Right-click the tape and click Options and then click Mark for Catalog. The tape will be moved to the Catalog Media group.
Note
The media should be moved to the Catalog Media group to avoid the media from getting overwritten. You may now enable any disabled activity.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | <Tape Library> | Media By Groups | Catalog Media. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes available for cataloging.
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Use the Barcode column to identify all the tapes that contain the required backup data.
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Right-click the tape and click All Tasks | Catalog. The Catalog Media dialog box appears.
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If the media belongs to a foreign CommCell, click the Media Password tab on the Catalog Media dialog box and enter the password required to read the data on the selected tape.
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Click OK on the Catalog Media dialog box. The Catalogue Media operation starts. You can monitor the progress using the Job Controller.
Viewing the Catalog Content and Merging the Content of the Tape
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | <Tape Library> | Media By Location | Media in Library. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes available in the tape library.
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Use the Barcode column to identify the tape that contains the required backup data.
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Right-click the tape and click View and then click View Catalog Contents. The Data on Catalog Media dialog box displays the list of backup jobs available on the tape.
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Ensure that the most recent disaster recovery backup job is available in the list. If the job is not available in the list, you must catalog other tapes in the library till you find the required job. It also displays information such as Client Name, CommCell Name, Type of Backup, Agent used for backup, Storage Policy used for backup for each backup job.
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Click Recatalog and Merge button on the Data on Catalog Media dialog box.
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Ensure that the Merge only option is selected in the Catalog Media dialog box.
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Optional: To add a prefix to the names of all the recreated entities, select Always add the following prefix to imported entities. Type the prefix in the Prefix box.
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Click OK on the Catalog Media dialog box. The Catalogue Media operation starts. You can monitor the progress using the Job Controller.
Enabling Browse and Restore Operation for Aged Data
At this point, the CommServe database contains all the information about previously unknown backup jobs and the backup job can appear in backup history of the client. Perform the following steps to enable browse and restore operation for the backup jobs that may appear aged:
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From the CommCell ribbon, click Control Panel. The Control Panel dialog box appears.
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Click Browse/Search/Recovery option. The Browse/Search/Recovery Options dialog box appears.
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Select the Show aged data during browse and recovery check box.
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Click OK on the Browse/Search/Recovery Options dialog box. When you perform the browse and restore operation for any pruned backup job, the data backed up during the job is displayed.
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Close the Control Panel dialog box.
Restoring Merged Data
Restoring Disaster Recovery Backup Data in the Same CommCell
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From the CommCell Console, right-click the CommCell and select AllTasks | Disaster Recovery Restore | Restore By Job. The Disaster Recovery History Filter dialog box appears.
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Select Include Aged Data. You must select this option because the backup jobs merged in to CommServe Database are marked as Aged Data.
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Click OK on the Disaster Recovery History Filter dialog box. The Admin Job History tab in the right pane of the CommCell console displays a list of backup jobs performed for the client. The aged backup jobs appear in the grey color.
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Choose the job to restore. Right-click the Job and click Restore Selected Jobs.
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Click View Content on the Browse and Restore Options dialog box. The right pane of the CommCell console displays the data backed up during the job.
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Select the required data and click Recover All Selected...
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Click OK on the Restore Options for All Selected Items dialog box to start the recovery operation.
Restoring Backup Jobs That Are Performed after the Disaster Recovery Backup
Perform the following steps to view the backup job history for a client and restore the data from a backup job that is aged:
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From the CommCell Console, expand the Client Computers node.
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Right-click the Client and select View | Job History. The Job History Filter dialog box appears.
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Click Advanced on the Job History Filter dialog box. The Data Protection History Advanced Filter dialog box appears.
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Select Include Aged Data. You must select this option because the backup jobs merged in to CommServe Database are marked as Aged Data.
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Click OK on the Data Protection History Advanced Filter dialog box.
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Click OK on the Job History Filter dialog box. The Data Management Job History tab in the right pane of the CommCell console displays a list of backup jobs performed for the client. The aged backup jobs appear in the grey color.
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Choose the job to restore.
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Right-click the Job and click Browse and Restore.
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Click View Content on the Browse and Restore Options dialog box. The right pane of the CommCell console displays the data backed up during the job.
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Select the required data and click Recover All Selected...
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Click OK on the Restore Options for All Selected Items dialog box to start the recovery operation.
Restoring Disaster Recovery Backup on a Foreign CommCell using Tape Import
After cataloging and merging the contents on a tape, a dummy client is created with the CommCell name, a file system iDA with a backupset<Application_Id> and a DRSubclient subclient. Restore these jobs as regular backup jobs. Restoring these jobs provides the dump to the CommServe database.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Client Computers | <dummyClient> | File System | BackupSet_id.
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Right-click the DRsubclient and click Backup History. The Backup History Filter dialog box appears.
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Click OK on the Backup History Filter dialog box. The Backup Job History of Client tab in the right pane of the CommCell console displays a list of backup jobs performed for the client. The aged backup jobs appear in the grey color.
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Choose the job to restore. Right-click the Job and click Browse and Restore.
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Click View Content on the Browse and Restore Options dialog box. The right pane of the CommCell console displays the data backed up during the job.
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Select the Backupset_id and click Restore All Selected...
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Clear the Restore to same folder check box. The Restore Option dialog box appears.
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Select a folder to restore.
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Click OK on the Restore Options for All Selected Items dialog box to start the restore operation.
Recovering Data from a Deleted Client, Backupset, Storage Policy, or Copy
You may accidently delete a CommCell entity such as a client, a backupset, a storage policy, or a copy. You can restore data from the backup jobs associated with the deleted entity, if the actual data is available on a tape media.
Note
If the subclient is deleted, it is not necessary to run tape catalog because data is restorable from the backupset level.
If the original storage policies are not available, recover the data with by using tape import storage policies and copies.
The following procedure explains how to restore data from a deleted storage policy:
Prerequisites
Ensure that the following information is available:
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The barcodes of the tapes that contain the backup data.
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Media Passwords, if the media belongs to a foreign CommCell.
Note
If you are recovering data from spanned media, make sure all tapes are available
Disable all activity at the CommServe to avoid existing tapes getting discovered as empty media and being picked up and overwritten by backup jobs.
Keep all activities disabled until all tapes inserted are in the Catalog Media group.
Cataloging the Tape
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Insert the tape in a free slot of the tape library in the CommCell.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | <Tape Library> | Media By Location | Media in Library. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes available in the tape library.
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Use the Barcode column to identify the tape that contains the required backup data.
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Right-click the tape and click Options and then click Mark for Catalog. The tape will be moved to the Catalog Media group.
Note
The media should be moved to the Catalog Media group to avoid the media from getting overwritten. You may now enable any disabled activity.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | <Tape Library> | Media By Groups | Catalog Media. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes available for cataloging.
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Use the Barcode column to identify all the tapes that contain the required backup data.
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Right-click the tape and click All Tasks | Catalog. The Catalog Media dialog box appears.
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If the media belongs to a foreign CommCell, click the Media Password tab on the Catalog Media dialog box and enter the password required to read the data on the selected tape.
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Click OK on the Catalog Media dialog box. The Catalogue Media operation starts. You can monitor the progress using the Job Controller.
Viewing the Catalog Content and Merging the Content of the Tape
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | <Tape Library> | Media By Location | Media in Library. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes available in the tape library.
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Use the Barcode column to identify the tape that contains the required backup data.
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Right-click the tape and click View and then click View Catalog Contents. The Data on Catalog Media dialog box displays the list of backup jobs available on the tape.
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Ensure that the job that contains required backup data is available in the list. It also displays information such as Client Name, CommCell Number, Type of Backup, Agent used for backup, Storage Policy used for backup for each backup job. If the required job is not available in the list, view contents of other tapes that are used by the storage policy.
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Click Recatalog and Merge button on the Data on Catalog Media dialog box.
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Optional: To add a prefix to the names of all the recreated entities, select Always add the following prefix to imported entities. Type the prefix in the Prefix box.
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Ensure that the Merge only option is selected in the Catalog Media dialog box.
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Click OK on the Catalog Media dialog box. The Catalogue Media operation starts. You can monitor the progress using the Job Controller.
The backup jobs available on the tape are merged with CommServe database.
The deleted storage policy is recreated in the CommCell. You cannot use this storage policy for any new backup jobs. The backup jobs merged into CommServe database are available in the secondary copy of the storage policy. The primary copy of the storage policy will be empty. Similarly deleted clients, backup sets and subclients are also recreated. The recreated client will be unlicensed (restore only) client
Note: If you have selected to add a prefix to the imported entities then:
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The name of the storage policy will be <prefix>_TapeImportSP.
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The name of the recreated backupset will be <prefix>_BackupSet.
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The name of the recreated backupset will be <prefix>_Subclient.
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By default, the name of the client will be prefixed with the CommCell number of the CommCell to which the media belonged to. If you have selected to add a prefix to the imported entities then, during merge operations, the commcell number will be replaced with the prefix specified by the user.
Restoring Merged Data
Note
Before restoring Oracle data, ensure to mark the backup piece available in the Recovery Catalog for successful restores. See Marking an Oracle Backup Piece Status as Available for more information. To restore Oracle data, see Restoring an Oracle Database to a Point-in-Time.
Perform the following steps to view the backup job history for a client and restore the data from a backup job that is aged:
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From the CommCell Console, expand the Client Computers node.
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Right-click the Client and select View | Job History. The Job History Filter dialog box appears.
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Click Advanced on the Job History Filter dialog box. The Data Protection History Advanced Filter dialog box appears.
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Select Include Aged Data. You must select this option because the backup jobs merged in to CommServe Database are marked as Aged Data.
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Click OK on the Data Protection History Advanced Filter dialog box.
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Click OK on the Job History Filter dialog box. The Data Management Job History tab in the right pane of the CommCell console displays a list of backup jobs performed for the client. The aged backup jobs appear in the grey color.
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Choose the job to restore.
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Right-click the Job and click Browse and Restore.
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Click View Content on the Browse and Restore Options dialog box. The right pane of the CommCell console displays the data backed up during the job.
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Select the required data and click Recover All Selected...
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Click OK on the Restore Options for All Selected Items dialog box to start the recovery operation.
Additional Options
The following table describe the additional options available for cataloging, merging and recovering media:
Cataloging Multiple Tapes
You can select a multiple number of tapes at the same time to perform a catalog operation.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | Tape Library | Media By Location | Media in Library.
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Right-click the media from Media in Library.
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Select Mark for Catalog. The Media will be moved to Media By Groups | Catalog Media group.
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Click Catalog Media group.
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The tapes to be cataloged will be displayed on the right side content pane. Select multiple tapes from the list.
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Right-click the tapes and select Catalog.
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Select the catalog options.
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Select a Drive Pool (MediaAgent) from the list.
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Click OK.
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Select Merge Only.
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Select a Drive Pool (MediaAgent) from the list.
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Click OK to merge the cataloged data on to the CommServe database.
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Right-click the Client | View | Job History.
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Select Data Restore Operations and click Advanced.
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Select Include Aged Data and click OK.
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Right-click on the required job and click Browse.
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Select the browse options and click OK.
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Select the data and click Recover All Selected.
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Select the restore options and click OK to start the recovery operation.
Scheduling the Catalog Job
You can schedule catalog, merge and recovery jobs to be performed at a convenient time where there is a low system utilization (off-peak hours).
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | Tape Library | Media By Location | Media in Library.
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Right-click the media from Media in Library.
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Select Mark for Catalog. The Media will be moved to Media By Groups | Catalog Media group.
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Right-click the Media from Catalog Media group and select Catalog.
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Click Job Initiation tab and select Schedule.
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Click Configure to create the Schedule Name, Time Interval and Start Time for the schedule operation.
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Click Options to set the Range of recurrence and determine if the schedule needs to be repeated. Specify the interval period for repeated occurrence.
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Select the Time Zone for the schedule.
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Click OK.
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Select Merge Only and click Job Initiation tab. Select Schedule and configure the time to merge the cataloged data on to the CommServe database.
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Right-click the Client | View | Job History.
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Select Data Restore Operations and click Advanced.
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Select Include Aged Data and click OK.
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Right-click on the required job and click Browse.
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Select the browse options and click OK.
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Select the data and click Recover All Selected.
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Select the restore options and click Job Initiation tab and select Schedule to restore operation to be performed at a later time.
Recataloging a Media
Recatalog option allows you to catalog any media which is already cataloged. If you do not select this option, the system will skip the already cataloged media. Please note that the system skips only the catalog operation and not the merge if you do not select this option.
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Right click the cataloged media and select View Catalog Content.
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Right-click the already cataloged media in Data on Catalog Media window.
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Select Recatalog from the Catalog options.
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Select a Drive Pool (MediaAgent) from the list.
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Click OK to start the cataloging operation on a cataloged media.
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Select Merge Only to merge the cataloged data on to the CommServe database.
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Right-click the Client | View | Job History.
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Select Data Restore Operations and click Advanced.
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Select Include Aged Data and click OK.
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Right-click on the required job and click Browse.
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Select the browse options and click OK.
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Select the data and click Recover All Selected.
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Select the restore options and click OK to start the recovery operation.
Recatalog Multiple Media
When you select multiple number of tapes which consist of Cataloged as well as To be Cataloged media, you can check this option to recatalog the already cataloged media.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | Tape Library | Media By Location | Media in Library.
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Right-click the media from Media in Library.
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Select Mark for Catalog. The Media will be moved to Media By Groups | Catalog Media group.
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Right-click the Media from Catalog Media group and select Catalog.
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Select a Drive Pool (MediaAgent) from the list.
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Select Recatalog already Cataloged Media option.
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Click OK to recatalog the already cataloged media.
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Select Merge Only to merge the cataloged data on to the CommServe database.
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Right-click the Client | View | Job History.
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Select Data Restore Operations and click Advanced.
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Select Include Aged Data and click OK.
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Right-click on the required job and click Browse.
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Select the browse options and click OK.
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Select the data and click Recover All Selected.
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Select the restore options and click OK to start the recovery operation.
Setting File Marker Range for a Media
You can set file marker range and choose the desired chunks with in the selected single media. This option is not available for catalog media spare group level catalog operation.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | Tape Library | Media By Location | Media in Library.
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Right-click the media from Media in Library.
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Select Mark for Catalog. The Media will be moved to Media By Groups | Catalog Media group.
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Right-click the Media from Catalog Media group and select Catalog.
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Select the File Marker Range to catalog starting from a volume to another specified volume (chunks). You can also select volumes from the Start of Tape to the End of Tape.
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Select a Drive Pool (MediaAgent) from the list.
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Click OK.
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Right-click the Client | View | Job History.
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Select Data Restore Operations and click Advanced.
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Select Include Aged Data and click OK.
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Right-click on the required job and click Browse.
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Select the browse options and click OK.
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Select the data and click Recover All Selected.
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Select the restore options and click OK to start the recovery operation.
Marking a Media for Recatalog
Select this option for already cataloged media to force the catalog operation the next time a tape catalog job is started.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | Tape Library | Media By Groups | Catalog Media
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Click the media to view the tapes that are already cataloged and to be cataloged will be displayed in on the right side content pane.
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Right-click the tape(s) that are already cataloged and select Mark for Recatalog.
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Click OK.
Marking Media Reusable
After the recovery, you may not require some cataloged tapes. You can reuse these tapes (media). You can mark this media as reusable and move back to default scratch pool.
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Right click the cataloged media and select View Catalog Content.
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View the cataloged media in Data on Catalog Media window.
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Select the media you want to reuse.
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Right-click the media and select Mark Media Reusable.
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The Media will be moved from Catalog Media pool to default Scratch pool.
Setting the Maximum Number of Drives for Cataloging
You can select the maximum number of drives the tape catalog must use. The default value is 1.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources | Libraries | Tape Library | Media By Groups | Catalog Media
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Right-click the Media and select Catalog.
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Select Catalog Only or Catalog and Merge options as per your requirement.
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Select the Maximum Number of Drives.
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Select a Drive Pool (MediaAgent) from the list.
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Click OK.
Adding a Prefix to Imported Entities
You can add a prefix to the names of all the recreated entities.
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From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources > Libraries > Tape Library > Media By Location > Media in Library.
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Right-click the media from Media in Library.
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Select Mark for Catalog. The Media will be moved to Media By Groups | Catalog Media group.
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Right-click the Media from Catalog Media group and select Catalog.
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Select Catalog and Merge or Recatalog and Merge options as per your requirement.
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Select the Always add the following prefix to imported entities. Type the prefix in the Prefix box.
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Click OK.
Reports
Media Information Report
The Media Information Report provides detailed information about the media that is associated with storage libraries, the media repositories and/or locations, and the media that has been written to or reserved by storage policy copies, all within a specified time range.
Refer Media Information Report.
CommCell Configuration Report
The CommCell Configuration Report provides the Catalog configuration and usage in the CommCell which includes Drive Pool/MediaAgent selected for the Catalog operation and the List of MediaAgents pointing to the Cataloging the media job.
Refer CommCell Configuration.