Hi,
Wow, that is amazing, and a real case of overcoming the challenge and
improving the system for everyone who needs acces to it! I will go over
this in more detail, because I think I could really use the USB barcode
system to help us in the department as well, especially since we can use
the web interface on the library to find out which tapes are in which
slots.
Andrew.
-----Original Message-----
From: Darragh.OHeiligh@Oireachtas.ie
[mailto:Darragh.OHeiligh@Oireachtas.ie]
Sent: 04 November 2008 14:38
To: Blind sysadmins list
Cc: blind-sysadmins; blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Using the PowerVault tape library
administration panel.
Andrew,
I don't delegate any of this stuff. Using the interface is only
something
that needs to be done during configuration of the device or during
troubleshooting a particularly difficult issue.
The way I do it is:
tape management:
I have a barcode scanner that connects via USB to a PC.
I've created a small script using vbs that utilizes the say tools
available on www.empowermentzone.com
This script does one very simple thing. just read out the barcode that
has been scanned letter by letter so I get emediet feedback from jfw.
That simple process allows me to read all the tapes that I manage.
For managing the tapes,
Tapes are stored in large shelving units in two secure locations. Each
compartment and each level on these shelves also have barcodes.
I have a spreadsheet that allows me to type in the barcode of a tape
when
a restore is required and I can then look up the exact location where
that
tape is stored.
If feeling confedent, I don't even need to bring the barcode scanner
with
me as with the spreadsheet, I can see exactly how many tapes in on the
shelf this particular tape sits so it's just a matter of counting down
when I get to the right shelf.
Each shelf also has a convention so it is possible to see quickly
exactly
where in the room the shelf and section is situated.
When loading tapes, I simply put the tape used for the restore into one
of
the back loaders therefore I have a reasonable idea where to look in
backup exec. This isn't necessary though as backup exec will show the
barcodes for all the tapes also.
I would go as far as to say that with the organization I've put into
this
system, the backup solution is more efficient here than it has been ever
before. Therefore, the few extra steps I need to go through at times are
offset by the speed in which I can find and use a tape for a restore.
For labeling new tapes, I use a cardboard template that a friend helped
me
to make so I can then use a gilateen for cutting the A4 labels to size
for the DLT's. the LTO's are much easier as their a sticky label that
can
be stuck to the side therefore no cutting is required.
When changing tapes every week, I do the following:
use backup exec to see what tapes are still unused.
if for example slots 2, 4, 5 and 14 have empty tapes, I require 10 new
tapes.
The first thing I do when I go to the server is remove 2, 4, 5 and 14
and
leave them to one side.
I then remove the rest of the tapes.
I put the old tapes from 2, 4, 5 and 14 into slots: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
This is a personal policy more than anything else though. I like the
tapes to be in sequencial order as it makes managing them a bit easier.
I fill the remainder of the slots with the rest of the tapes.
I simply then put the holders back into the media library, go back to my
desk and instruct backup exec to inventory that server.
Regards
Darragh Ó Héiligh
"Andrew Hodgson"