Preparing Tapes and DDSs

1. Estimate the number of blank media you need, and take them from your library.

2. Attach a label to each unit of backup media. (A standard Hewlett-Packard tape label has several headings for different types of important information. If your label does not have such headings, you may want to create your own headings including the information which is described next.)

3. Label the first unit of backup media.

   Single or Sequential

   Label the first unit Volume 1 of n. Replace n with the total number of units of backup media--if you use more or fewer tapes than you planned, you may have to change this number when you finish storing the files.

   Label the second unit of backup media Volume 2 of n. Label the third unit of backup media Volume 3 of n, and so on.

   Parallel or Parallel Pools

   Label each piece of media with both the reel number and the set number. Label the first media of each parallel device or device pool as

   Volume 1 of "x", Set 1 of "y"

   where "x" is the total number of media allocated to the particular parallel set, and "y" is the total number of parallel sets. If you use more or fewer units of backup media than you planned, you may have to change the final number of volumes when you finish.

   For example, if you plan to use four units of backup media with two parallel devices, label:

   1. First media as Volume 1 of 2, Set 1 of 2.

   2. Second media from the first parallel device as Volume 2 of 2, Set 1 of 2.

   3. First media from the second parallel device as Volume 1 of 2, Set 2 of 2.

   4. Second media from the second parallel set as Volume 2 of 2, Set 2 of 2.

4. In addition to the media number, write the following information on each media's label:

   • The current date which serves as a reminder of when the backup was created.

   • The name of your computer system.

   • A list of the files you intend to store, or if the tape is from a system backup, write either "FULL BACKUP" or "PARTIAL BACKUP".

   • If you plan to use interleave format, write "INTERLEAVE". (Interleave format is described in Chapter 5, "Storing Files.")

   • Any other important information about the backup. Since it is a STORE backup, write "STORE".

   • Your name or initials.

   • The date after which the information on the backup is obsolete, called the Purge Date. If you keep STORE backups indefinitely, make a note to that effect.

   • The number of times the backup media has been used, under the heading "Cycle".

   Figure 3-2 “A Correctly Labeled Tape” shows an example of a correctly labeled backup:

   Figure 3-2 A Correctly Labeled Tape

   

5. Stack all your media (tapes or DDSs).

   Single

   If you plan to use a single device, stack all of your backups, label side up, in order, with the lowest number on top, near the device, as shown in Figure 3-3 “Preparing Tapes for a Single Device”.

   Figure 3-3 Preparing Tapes for a Single Device

   

   Parallel

   If you are using parallel devices, stack all of your backups, label side up, in order with the lowest number on top, near the corresponding device. For example, place all the backups with numbers ending with Set1 near your first parallel device. Put media Reel1 Set1 on top of the stack. Figure 3-4 “Preparing Tapes for Parallel Devices” shows how to prepare backup medias for parallel devices.

   Figure 3-4 Preparing Tapes for Parallel Devices

   

6. Divide your media among the devices.

   Sequential

   If you plan to use sequential devices, divide your media among the devices in order. For example, if you have two sequential devices and six media, stack media 1, 3 and 5 near device 1, and stack media 2, 4 and 6 near device 2. Stack all media label side up and make sure that the lowest-numbered backup is on the top of each stack. Figure 3-5 “Preparing Tapes for Sequential Devices” shows an example.

   Figure 3-5 Preparing Tapes for Sequential Devices

   

   Parallel Pool

   If you are using parallel device pools, divide your media among the devices in each device pool, placing them in order with the label side up. For example, if the first device pool has two sequential devices and four media, stack media Reel1 Set1 and Reel3 Set1 near device A1, and place media Reel2 Set1 and Reel4 Set1 near device A2. Figure 3-6 “Preparing Tapes for Parallel Device Pools” shows media prepared for storing files to parallel device pools.

Figure 3-6 Preparing Tapes for Parallel Device Pools