fbackup HPUX 11.11 DLT8000

[Aaron Dershem_1]

Hello all,

I believe our tape drive has seen its better days. It recently stopped doing back ups because of the error :
fbackup(3203): volume 1 has been used 1 time(s)
fbackup(3024): writing volume 1 to the output file /dev/rmt/c4t3d0BEST
fbackup(3009): WARNING: File number 452716 (/u02/oracle/visdata/sys3VISION.dbf)
 was not successfully backed up
fbackup(3027): ioctl error, can't query outfile at media record 1295453
fbackup(3102): attempting to make this volume salvagable
fbackup(3123): could not read the previous checkpoint record
fbackup(3105): writing 2 EOFs and rewinding the tape
fbackup(3106): please mount a good tape
fbackup(3038): output file /dev/rmt/c4t3d0BEST is not a valid device file for backupfbackup(3019): would you like to enter a new output file?
fbackup(3004): writer abortingfbackup(1002): Backup did not complete : Reader or Writer process exit

Its to the point now that any time a tape is removed from the drive for any reason it also makes you insert a cleaning tape. I have attached a copy of the error messages that were in the syslog.log file and the ticket created by ltt.

I would appreciate any insight those of you with infinite wisdom could shed on this for me.

If I do need a new drive would recommend a refurbished one?

Thanks,

A

[Bryan D. Quinn]

Hello,

Definately sounds like you need to place a call on this and have it replaced. As for the refurb question, I always prefer new as opposed to refurb, but most of the time the budget only allows refurb. I have been very pleased with refurb equipment, granted we let it have it's 30-day burn it time (required by HP to place refurb equipment on service contracts) and then put it on our HP support contract. In this case, if you have a support contract place a call with HP and have them come out an replace it.

Hope this helps!
-Bryan

[A. Clay Stephenson]

This has all the earmarks of a failing DLT drive. Because this is a DLT8000, you will not be able to replace it with either a DLT4000 or 7000 --- if you still want to be able to read any of your existing media.

As long as you are purchasing from a reputable refurbished equipment vendor, I would have no qualms about using such a drive. Typically, a 30-90 day replacement guarantee is provided. If this is critical data, it's probably a good idea to get this equipment under a maintenance contract because these DLT's are getting a little difficult to find these days.

[Bill Hassell]

DDS, DLT and similar tape drives definitely do last as long as the old reel to reel drives. The tolerances make a watchmaker cringe and the drives generally do not have useful status to monitor what is really happening. Once you have to insert the cleaning tape every few days to get rid of an error, it's time for a replacement.

[Aaron Dershem_1]

Thank you all for such a speedy response. Now that I got my second opinions I can spend some time finding a new one and breathe a little easier when it arrives.

Thanks again,

Aaron

[Kelsey Petrychyn]

It is quite possible that you need a new tape drive.
If hardware cost is an issue you may want to try a different device file first. Just to rule out software.

If you do a:

ioscan -fnkC tape

you should see more than one dev/rmt/XXXX entry. If trying these other files still give you grief then I would say it is something with the hardware. Just keep in mind that these other files effect how the data is stored/compressed etc.

When it comes to the refurb question we use:
If we plan to keep the component in service longer than 2 yrs, buy new.