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What is the procedure for backing up with the FastStor Autoloader?

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Phillip Cardenas
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Issue

What is the procedure for backing up with the FastStor Autoloader?

Solution

 

NOTE: Before reading this article, Mirapoint highly recommends reading the latest version of the Mirapoint Backup and Restore Guide.

This article provides setup instructions. For complete information on the autoloader, see the FastStor Autoloader Installation and Maintenance manual.

 

NOTE: The instructions in this document are only for configuring this approved device for use with administration protocol Backup and Restore.

When using the administration protocol Backup and Restore commands, the autoloader must be in sequential mode. When using NDMP, the device should be set up in random mode.

Setting the Autoloader to Sequential Mode

If the operator-panel LCD reads "LDR READY," the autoloader is in random mode.

To change from sequential mode to random mode, do the following:

  1. With "LDR READY" displayed on the LCD screen, press and hold the Next key, then press the Mode key so that both keys are pressed and held simultaneously. Continue pressing both keys until "DIAG MENU" appears (for approximately five seconds).
  2. Press the Mode key three times until "CHG MODE" appears.
  3. Press the Select key. The current operating mode appears (random or sequential). To select an alternate operating mode, press the Next key, then the Select key; "CYCLE PWR" appears.
  4. Press the Prw key for several seconds to power down the autoloader.
  5. Press the Prw key again to resume power in the new operating mode.
  6. Reboot your Mirapoint appliance.
 

NOTE: Whenever the autoloader mode is changed the FastStor unit needs to be power cycled. If the FastStor is power cycled, the Mirapoint head unit also needs to be rebooted.

Accessing and Replacing Data Cartridges

To access and replace data cartridges, do the following:

  1. When the autoloader resumes power and "SEQ READY" is displayed on the LCD, press the Mode key.
  2. When "STOP SEQ" is displayed, press the Select key.
  3. When "SEQ DONE" is displayed, load all the tapes into the holding slots.
To replace data cartridges in the front slots of the autoloader (slots 1 through 5), unlock and open the autoloader door to replace the cartridges manually.
 

NOTE: Make sure either "LDR READY" (random mode), or "SEQ READY" (sequential mode) is displayed on the LCD before removing or inserting data cartridges.

Unloading the Data Cartridges

To unload slots 6 and 7 in the rear of the autoloader, do the following:

1. Enter the EJECT SLOT command. The EJECT SLOT command always moves cartridges from slot 6 to slot 1, and from slot 7 to slot 2.
To unload data cartridges from slots 6 and 7, make sure slots 1 and 2 are empty. If slots 1 and 2 contain data cartridges, unlock and open the autoloader door to remove them.
If you need to place the cartridges back in Slots 1 and 2 after completing this procedure, make sure to mark them accordingly.
2. When you have verified that slots 1 and 2 are empty, press the Mode key until the LCD displays "EJECT SLOT."
If slots 1 and 2 contain data cartridges and "EJECT SLOT" does not appear. Press the Select key.
3. To unload slot 6, press the Select key again.
 
4. To unload slot 7, press the Select key. When the move from slot 6 to slot 1 is complete, repeat steps 2 to 4.
If slot 6 or slot 7 is already empty, a flashing "RESELECT" message displays on the LCD, indicating that you attempted to make an invalid selection.
After the cartridges have been picked from slots 6 and 7 and placed in slots 1 and 2, unlock and open the autoloader door to remove them.
To replace the data cartridges in slot 6 and slot 7, make sure the write-protect switches on the replacement cartridges are set correctly for the desired operation. (If the orange tab is showing, the cartridges are write-protected.
5. Hold the cartridge so that the write-protect switch faces you. Unlock and open the autoloader door to insert replacement cartridges into slots 1 and 2.
 
6. Press the Mode key until "LOAD SLOT" appears.
 
7. To load a cartridge from slot 1 to slot 6, press the Select key.
After slot 6 is loaded, you can load slot 7 by repeating step 3 and then pressing the Select key. When the robot has moved both cartridges from slots 1 and 2 to slots 6 and 7, you can return the original cartridges to slots 1 and 2, or replace them with new cartridges.
 

NOTE: Although the autoloader does not require all seven data cartridges to operate, installing seven cartridges maximizes your data storage capacity. Alternatively, you can use one of the cartridge slots to permanently store a cleaning cartridge.

Starting the Backup Process

The autoloader is now ready to receive backup CLI commands.

 
1. Enter the following command to test if the autoloader is on-line and responding:
Diag Tape Inquiry "" "" ""
2. Enter the following command:
Backup Full Tape ""
3. When backup has started, enter the following command:
Backup Status
You should see the following response:

Backup-23138 processed 1 message
4. Enter the following command:
Backup Abort jobid
Where jobid is the job ID of the backup operation you want to abort

This aborts the ongoing backup job and issues an eject command. The loaded tape is mechanically returned to the parking slot, and the next tape below loaded into the tape drive. The autoloader is now ready for the next backup command.

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