Using the PowerVault tape library administration panel.
Hello again, The backup solution here uses a number of DLT and LTO tape drives configured with Powervault T130 libraries. The software that we use is Symantec Backup Exec 11D. All but one of our servers is using Windows 2003. Unfortunately, one server that has yet to be decommissioned is running 2000. The small interface on the front of the powervault can be used for configuring the library. This configuration can also be done remotely via connecting to the RMU over the network. However, instead of displaying the menu items shown on this interface in text, the dell powervault interface accessed over the network shows it as a graphic. Therefore, I obviously cant read it. Is there any way that you know of that would enable me to read this interface? Any help would be appreciated. Darragh Ó Héiligh
Hi, I have a similar issue with a Quantom tape library. Unfortunately that is one of the jobs I have to delegate, as it is not just unlocking/opening the drive, but we have a large number of tapes which need to be inserted the correct way into the drive, and the other tapes need returning to a secure vault. The tape library in my case does have a web interface, and there is a feature that allows me to check the barcode on the label via the interface, however, this is very time consuming, and the vault is nowhere near the tape library, so if I make a mistake, I have to go back and do the whole thing again. Thanks. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Darragh.OHeiligh@Oireachtas.ie [mailto:Darragh.OHeiligh@Oireachtas.ie] Sent: 04 November 2008 14:17 To: Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Using the PowerVault tape library administration panel. Hello again, The backup solution here uses a number of DLT and LTO tape drives configured with Powervault T130 libraries. The software that we use is Symantec Backup Exec 11D. All but one of our servers is using Windows 2003. Unfortunately, one server that has yet to be decommissioned is running 2000. The small interface on the front of the powervault can be used for configuring the library. This configuration can also be done remotely via connecting to the RMU over the network. However, instead of displaying the menu items shown on this interface in text, the dell powervault interface accessed over the network shows it as a graphic. Therefore, I obviously cant read it. Is there any way that you know of that would enable me to read this interface? Any help would be appreciated. Darragh Ó Héiligh _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-sysadmins -- allpay.net Limited, Fortis et Fides, Whitestone Business Park, Whitestone, Hereford, HR1 3SE. Registered in England No. 02933191. UK VAT Reg. No. 666 9148 88. Telephone: 0870 243 3434, Fax: 0870 243 6041. Website: www.allpay.net Email: enquiries@allpay.net This email, and any files transmitted with it, is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the allpay.net Information Security Manager at the number above.
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"
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"
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"
participants (2)
-
Andrew Hodgson
-
Darragh.OHeiligh@Oireachtas.ie