Information Systems:Tapes / LTO Tape Backups

Weekday Morning Tape Procedure

Each weekday morning, the tapes that have been used for the previous night's backup need to be removed from both of the tape libraries so that they can be taken offsite by BC Records. Having the tapes taken offsite, protects that data from disaster or theft here at uniPHARM.

The first step in this daily procedure is to check the results of the previous night's backup. For the backup that occurs on the Power8, an emailed report is sent that shows which tape number was used. The email is sent to Jeremy, Darren and Norwin. The email also contains a link to a PDF on the SuperServer which has detailed information on what was backed up to tape and how to restore the data on that tape using BRMS.

For the backups that cover the SuperServer and other Windows servers, there are also emailed reports from BackupExec sent to Jeremy, Darren and Norwin. The BackupExec reports also show which tape number was used and what was successfully copied. The key information is what tape numbers were used so that the correct tapes can be removed from the libraries. Only the tapes used during the previous night's backup need to be removed, the other tapes need to remain in the library. The Power8 backup tape will be in the library attached to the Power8 in the left most rack in the server room. The tapes used for the SuperServer and the other Windows servers are in the library in the middle of the centre rack in the server room.

The single Power8 tape can be removed from the library at any time after the End Of Day process is finished. The two tapes used for the SuperServer and other Windows servers can only be removed from the library between 8AM and 6PM daily. The time restriction is a function of how BackupExec works. The BackupExec library is logically locked between 7PM and 8AM the next morning. Both libraries have a pair of tape magazines that are to the left and right of the centre green LCD screen. Only one magazine, left or right can be opened at any time. You cannot open both magazines at the same time.

Both libraries have a web administration page that can show which tapes are in what slots inside the magazine. It is not necessary to use the web administration page to control the magazine but it can help if someone is not familiar with handling tapes.

http://barttape.unipharm.local

http://backupexectape.unipharm.local

Username for both is Admin Password for both is secur

Please note that if you use the web administration page to release and unlock a magazine, there is a short time limit where the library relocks the magazine so walk quickly from your workstation to the server room if the web administration page is used to open and unlock the magazines.

The easier method is to use the buttons and LCD display on the front of the libraries in the server room. Below is the button sequence to open the left side magazine:

• left arrow
• minus
• left arrow
• minus
• minus
• left arrow
• left arrow

To open the right side magazine:

• left arrow
• minus
• left arrow
• minus
• minus
• left arrow
• minus
• left arrow

To cancel press the X button 3 times. To initiate a strategic missile launch, repeat the first button sequence while reciting the "I am a little teapot" nursery rhyme.

The green LCD screen will indicate when the magazine is unlocked and when it can be pulled out of the library. When ready, use the handle on the front of the magazine and pull smoothly towards yourself. The tapes can be pushed out of the magazine by inserting a finger into a square slot on the outer part of the magazine. Do not tip the magazine over so that the tapes fall out of their slots - that's bad mmkay.

Once the correct tape is removed from the magazine, the magazine can be re-inserted back into the library. Make sure the magazine is all the way inside the library and the front handle is flush with the front panel. After each magazine insertion, the library will use a robotic arm to rescan all the barcodes on the tapes. The library must be given time to do this scan before the other magazine can be opened.

Repeat this process to get all 3 daily tapes. Once you have the 3 daily tapes, take them to the small gray safe at the receptionist's desk and put the tapes inside the safe. The key is either in the safe's key hole or in the top drawer of the receptionists desk. BC Records will come between 10AM and noon Monday to Friday to pickup any tapes that are in the safe so it is critical to complete this procedure between 8AM and 10AM each weekday. Failure to remove the previous night's backup tapes does not prevent future scheduled backups from occurring, it just puts the most recent and valuable backup at risk of being damaged in a disaster or stolen.

If at any time the library starts to flash an orange blinking light on the front panel, stop what you are doing and call IBM at 1-800-426-7378. Provide them with the machine type number and serial number of the library and they will come onsite to fix and or repair.

How The Tape Rotations Work

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