Backup failures with fbackup

[Shashang Sheth]

Hi All,
I have regular backup failures on my HP-UX 11.00 system. The backup is taken on DLT8000 tape drive. fbackup command is used to take the backup and it fails with exit status 2. Its log file, /var/tmp/SAM_br_msgs file states the following:

fbackup(1004): session begins on Mon Nov 27 23:18:02 2006
fbackup(3038): output file /dev/rmt/0m is not a valid device file for backup
fbackup(3019): would you like to enter a new output file?
fbackup(3004): writer aborting
fbackup(1002): Backup did not complete : Reader or Writer process exit

Looking at the above device file error, I tried replacing the tape medias but to no effect. It happens fine on few days but fails otherwise. We recently had a period of 20 days of failed backups. We also have a SAP backup configured on the same tape drive and it works fine. Can anyone please tell me what exactly does exit status 2 in fbackup means and what is the solution to the above problem?

Regards,
Shashang.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

This system does not recognize /dev/rmt/0m as a valid tape backup device.

ioscan -fnCtape

See where the valid tape drives are and use one of them.

This could also be a hardware problem that requires replacement of the tape drive itself.

SEP

[Fabian Briseño]

Hello.
Try to find if this is not patch or firmware related related.

[Peter Godron]

Hi,
and welcome to the forums !

Exit Status 2 info:
http://www1.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en_US&docId=200000079312799

The solution to your problem:
1. use the correct device file for your tape (ioscan -fnC tape)
2. re-create the device file (insf -e -C tape)
3. Clean the tapedrive and use a clean tape
4. Replace drive

On a general note, please also read:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#33 on how to reward useful answers given to your questions.

[Peter Godron]

Hi,
and welcome to the forums !

Exit Status 2 info:
http://www1.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en_US&docId=200000079312799

As you are running 11.00, are you up-to-date with patches? This may not be a problem with patches, as this has worked in the past.

The solution to your problem:
1. use the correct device file for your tape (ioscan -fnC tape)
2. re-create the device file (insf -e -C tape)
3. Clean the tapedrive and use a clean tape
4. Replace drive

11.00 goes out of support Dec '06 !

On a general note, please also read:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#33 on how to reward useful answers given to your questions.

[Samir Pujara_1]

Hi Shashang,

It is highly possible that your Drive gone bad. First try to clean the same and check. Also you can try out for insf -e -C tape to update your tape driver.
If nothing works, than you may need to replace your drive.

[Shashang Sheth]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have cleaned the drive but it did give the desired results. I have today recreated the device files of the tape with insf -e command.