When is the time to get a New DLT Tape

[ewin740]

I'm using Fujifilm DLT Tape IV media to back-up my server data on a daily basis. The backup software is Veritas backupexec.
I'm using some soft read and write errors in the media statistics report.....no hard soft read/write errors though.
should I dispose my current DLT tapes now and get new one?
I've been using these two tapes for about a year and a half.

 

[steveot]

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/229641.htm

 

[dbMark]

That link explains that there can be multiple causes of soft (recoverable) and hard (unrecoverable) errors. While the tape could be at fault, it could be the drive needs cleaning, outdated drivers, etc.

You did not say how many backup tapes you use. Hopefully you have more than just the 2 you mentioned. You can never have too many backups, especially if you fear oned might fail.

 

[wybnormal]

Dude.. there is a life time for tape, normally measured in hours of use or "full use backups". The other aspect is have you ever cleaned the drives with cleaning tapes? Most. Normally speaking, DLT is "self cleaning" but my won experience is that you will get a light when it's time to clean. I have never had a drive that did not need cleaning at some point in time. Maxell recommends cleaning every 20 hours or so of use(once a month).

DLT is worth about 500,000 "passes" before the tape is trashed. THe average backup takes 5 passes on the tape. A pass is reading the tape, rewinding the tape, loading, ejecting etc. Anytime the tape moves over the head is a "pass".

If the drives are not cleaned the life span of the drive AND the tape is alot less then the spec.

MikeS

http://www.packetattack.com

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