TL891 with VMS Backup

[Doug Olsen_1]

I'm trying to do an unattended backup using TL891 dual-drive. The TL891 is set to "Sequential Split." Once I load the magazine with 10 tapes, what command(s) do I issue from VMS to get the TL891 to do the backup, automatically going to the next tape when necessary?

Also, will the tapes be fed into the two drives as loaded? ie Slot 0 to DLT0, slot 1 to DLT1, then Slot 2 to DLT0, Slot 3 to DLT1, Slot 4 to DLT0, slot 5 to DLT1, etc ? I have the impression that Slots 0-4 will only go to DLT0 and slots 5-9 will only go to DLT1, but I'm not certain.

Thanks.

[Karl Rohwedder]

If the library is in automatic mode (I think sequential split is automatic), a dismount on VMS will automagically load the next tape, i.e.
if BACKUP needs another tape, it gets loaded.

Normally you can select, if all tapes are loaded in drive 1 or split between both drives.
Your impression is right then.

regards Kalle

[Andy Bustamante]

In "Sequential Split" mode slots 0-4 service DLT 0 and slots 5-9 service DLT1. You'll need to use the tape library panel to load DLT0 from slot 0 and DLT1 from slot 5. After this when a tape is DISMOUNTed or end of tape is reached, the next tape in sequence will be automatically loaded. BACKUP will automatically continue onto a second tape if required.

If you install the MRU software included with this unit you can use the ROBOT command to manage tapes.


Andy

[Doug Olsen_1]

Thanks to both -- I'm realizing I also don't know how to issue a BACKUP command so that it will use both drives. Each drive has a separate identity on VMS -- $2$MUA4 and $2$MUA5. How do I get both drives going at once with a single BACKUP command?

Thanks.

Doug

[Andy Bustamante · Accepted solution]

For this library, I'd start two different batch jobs, each using a different tape drive. For a very simple example:

$! JOB 1
$ backup /image $1$dga1: $2$MUA4:dga1.bck
$ backup /image $1$dga2: $2$MUA4:dga2.bck
$ exit

The System Manager's Manual vol 1 http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/82FINAL/aa-pv5mj-tk/aa-pv5mj-tk.HTMl has an excellent section on backup.

Your environment will determine how often what backup features to use. Some applications need to be stopped to get a reliable backup, for example.

Andy

[Doug Olsen_1]

Thanks, Andy, but this is essentially one giant directory I want to back up. I was hoping I could say the equivalent of "Backup this directory using both drives." Or is that beyond BACKUP's ability?

Thanks again

doug

[Ian Miller.]

If you specified both drives on the output then backup will write to one drive until full then then use the next drive.