Backup with fbackup and an HP DAT72x6 tape

[enrico.nic]

Hi all,

I am facing a problem with an HP DAT72x6 tape automounter. All is fine with DAT2, DAT3, DAT4 tapes: if I mount a newer DAT5 (DAT72) tape, my backup scripts give an error message like the following:
fbackup(3041): output file /dev/rmt/1m is currently being used and not available
fbackup(3019): would you like to enter a new output file?

The backup script contains an "fbackup" instruction, and my configuration file for fbackup contains the following lines:

blocksperrecord 512
records 64
checkpointfreq 1024
readerprocesses 6
maxretries 5
retrylimit 5000000
maxvoluses 200
chgvol /usr/backup/chgvol
filesperfsm 2000

Has anybody an idea for the reason of this kind of error ?

Thank you in advance

Enrico

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

The error seems to indicate the tape is bad or the drive/drivers does not understand the media type.

If the tape drive is supposed to be able to use this media, then you may need a driver update. If the tape drive is not rated for this media, stop using the media.

SEP

[Rasheed Tamton]

Hi Enrico,

>my backup scripts give an error message like the following:

Did you do a test backup manually using the same tape or similar tapes. Your tape drive is HP DAT72x6. So, the drive should be compatible for using the DAT72 tapes.

Regards.

[enrico.nic]

Hi

A few more data about the problem:
- The tape should be OK (I've tried 3 different DAT72, 170m, tapes)
- the firmware of the tape drive has been upgraded to the last version (B604) available
- a simpler fbackup command, or tar, or even the HP LTT utility are not working on this 170m tape
- the last SCSI tape patch (PHKL_34552 SCSI Tape (stape) cumulative) has been installed
- I am using HP-UX 11.11

Please help ...

Thank you

Enrico

[enrico.nic]

Hi,

At the end, after recreating the device files, after installing the last version of the HP_LTT utility, it came out that all of the 3 (new!) DAT72 tapes where bad: a simple change tape operation solved the problem.
Sorry for the trivial question, I will never buy any Maxell tape anymore.

Enrico

[enrico.nic]

As Steven E. Protter pointed out, the problem was due to a bunch of bad tapes.