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Cataloging a Tape

You can catalog the tape media that contain the backup data when a backup job is not available in the CommServe database. Catalog operation on a tape creates an index that you can view to select the jobs to merge into the CommServe database to perform browse and restore.

Remember: Integrity of data (recovered by tape catalog and merge operation) may be compromised in these situations:

  • The tape associated with the data is overwritten.

  • The data for a job spans multiple media (associated media), and one of the associated media is reused or overwritten.

Note

Catalog is not supported for tape media that are written with EVAL license. You can use the TapeToolGui.exe that is available in the software_installation_directory/Base folder to identify tapes written with EVAL license. If the MediaID value appears similar to 2_BC_BARCODE, then the tape is written by EVAL CommCell. Here, 2 indicates that the tape is written by EVAL CommCell. For tapes written by a licensed CommCell, the CommCell ID appears in place of 2.

About This Task

  • Cataloging a tape creates an index which you can view to select which jobs to merge into the CommServe database for browse and restore.

  • Tape catalogue is supported for libraries with barcode readers. Also catalog jobs on Stand-Alone libraries from foreign media is not supported.

Support

Supported Platforms:

Windows and Linux

Supported Agents:

  • File System

  • VMware (supported only for recovering missing jobs and missing Storage Policies with primary copy)

Before You Begin

  • Verify that the user has the following permissions:

    • Administrative Management permission at the Commcell level. For more information, see Global Permissions.

    • Install Package/Update permission at the client level. For more information, see Client Permissions.

    • Library Management permission at the library level and MediaAgent Management permission at the MediaAgent / Client Computer Group level. For more information, see Storage Management Permissions.

  • Verify that the following information is available:

    • The barcodes of the tapes that contain the backup data.

    • Media Passwords, if the media belongs to a foreign CommCell.

  • If you are using spanned media, then verify that all tapes are available.

  • Disable all activity at the CommServe till the catalog operation is complete to avoid the software to overwrite the backup data. If activity is not disabled, then the software can discover existing tapes as empty media, pick them and overwrite them with backup jobs.

Procedure

  1. Insert the tape in a free slot of the tape library in the CommCell.

  2. From the CommCell Console, navigate to Storage Resources > Libraries > <Tape Library> > Media By Location > Media in Library.

  3. The right pane of the CommCell Console displays all the tapes that are available in the tape library.

  4. Use the Barcode column to identify the tapes that contain the required backup data.

  5. Select the tapes that you want to catalog, right-click on the tapes, click Options, and then click Mark for Catalog.

    The tapes move to the Catalog Media group.

  6. 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 that are available for cataloging.

  7. Use the Barcode column to identify the tapes that contain the required backup data.

  8. Right-click the tapes, and then click All Tasks > Catalog.

    The Catalog Media dialog box appears.

  9. If the media belongs to a foreign CommCell, click the Media Password tab, and then enter the password that allows to read the data on the selected tape.

    For more information about the options, see Recovering Aged Data - Online Help.

  10. Click OK.

    The catalog media operation starts. You can use the Job Controller to monitor the progress.

  11. Enable any disabled activity.

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