How to re-introduce Tape / Media used prior with NetBackup without changing the Media ID when a barcode reader is not available or disabled within the Robotic Library

Problem

How to re-introduce Tape / Media used prior with NetBackup without changing the Media ID when a barcode reader is not available or disabled within the Robotic Library

Solution

NetBackup is designed to work in such a fashion that it does not read the tape header while doing inventory and that is why if the barcode reader is not available or is disabled, then NetBackup just generates anew media id for a new tape / media as well as tape / media which was already been used by NetBackup.
The main advantage being primarily to enable fast inventory as NetBackup is meant for large environments. That is why it is also said that NetBackup works very well with barcode enabled Robotic Libraries.

To avoid NetBackup creating new media id for tape /media which has already been used by NetBackup earlier, follow the below procedure:

Once you decide to remove the tape / media physically from the robot, follow below steps:

1. Physically remove the tape from the Robotic Library
2. Expand Media and Device Management -> Media ->Robots
3. Right click on the Tape / Media which you physically removed
4. Click on 'Move'

  

5. Click on the drop-down of Robot -> Uncheck the radio button 'Volume is in robotic library'

  

6. Click 'OK'
7. Check and reconfirm that the tape / media exists under Media and Device Management -> Media ->Standalone

  

Now, if you insert the tape / media back and run an inventory, NetBackup will generate a new media id for the same tape / media. You will not be able to perform a restore if that was your primary purpose to get back the tape / media as now it has new Media Id.

To avoid such a situation, follow the below procedure when you re-introduce the tape / media back to the Robotic Library:

1. Physically insert the tape / media and note down the correct slot number into which you insert the tape as we require to feed the same at a later step
2. DO NOT RUN ROBOT INVENTORY as it will generate new Media Id, as by design, it never mounts the tape / media and never reads tape header while inventory
3. Go to Media and Device Management -> Media ->Standalone
4. Right click on the Tape / Media which you physically inserted
5. Click on 'Move'
6. Check the radio button 'Volume is in robotic library', then select the correct 'Device Host' and 'Robot'

  

7. Select correct 'Volume group' and the correct 'First slot number' 9which is the slot number in which tape was inserted0, from the drop-down (In this example it is 23rd slot)

  

8. Click 'OK'

There is no need to Inventory Robot as we have not introduced any new tape / media to NetBackup.