Backup Exec and Support for LTO9 tape media.

Problem

Backup Exec and Support for LTO9 tape media.

Solution

Backup Exec supports LTO9 tape media with the following caveats:

1. A 'Long Erase' job executed from Backup Exec may timeout if the job takes more than 18 hours. The job will timeout but the erase operation will continue on the LTO9 media till it is completed.

2. Running the 'Initialize' job against brand new LTO9 tape cartridges may timeout if the job takes more than 16 minutes. The job will timeout but the Initialize operation will continue on till it is completed. 

Note:- It is recommended to use already initialized LTO9 cartridges in Backup Exec. This can be done outside of Backup Exec using the vendor provided portal.

3. Running the 'cleaning' job against LTO9 tape cartridges may timeout if the job takes more than 2 hours.

Workaround:

A. It is recommended that the above operations are performed outside of Backup Exec.

For a tape library:

1. Insert a brand new data media or cleaning media into the library.

2. Using the library management interface, load the media into an open drive. Ensure that there are no backups or duplications scheduled to run against the drive during this process.

3. Once the drive status goes from busy, initializing or cleaning to idle, the media is initialized or the drive is cleaned.

4. Move the media back into an empty slot using the library management interface. 

For a single tape drive:

Insert a brand new or cleaning media and wait for the operation to be completed.

Ensure that there are no backups or duplications scheduled to run against the drive during this process.

B. Automatic cleaning features need to be disabled

To disable the automatic cleaning features, refer to:

Backup Exec automatically cleans the tape drive when the tape device issues a cleaning request alert
www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/article.100063823

Workaround after the timeout occurred:

1. Wait for the drive status goes from busy, initializing or cleaning to idle.

2. Move the media back into an empty slot using the library management interface if a tape library is used.

3. Restart Backup Exec services.