Win 2003 & Backup exec & new tape drive

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andyjd

20 posts

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#26007 9-Sep-2008 11:38

Got a job coming up, have to installed a newer tape drive into the server, anything i need to know before i go ahead?

Any "gotchas"?

gehenna

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#163271 9-Sep-2008 12:10

What sort of tape drive are you using?

General things to be aware of with Backup Exec is to use the Symantec drivers for the tape device when you install the Symantec software. It'll ask you if you want to use their own drivers or the official device drivers, so use the Symantec ones. Also, if the device is SCSI make sure you're using a clear channel so that the write speed is decent.

andyjd

20 posts

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#163272 9-Sep-2008 12:14

I'm unsure of the current drive but the new one is a Sony SDX550VRP

gehenna

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#163275 9-Sep-2008 12:28

should be fine, just install the drive and get it working. then install backup exec and check the option to use symantec drivers. all good.

andyjd

20 posts

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#163277 9-Sep-2008 12:34

sweet, BackExec is already in and working on the existing drive, so i should be all good! (famous last words)

gehenna

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#163278 9-Sep-2008 12:42

andyjd: sweet, BackExec is already in and working on the existing drive, so i should be all good! (famous last words)

well not necessarily, you'll probably need to run a wizard or something to set up the new drive unless its an identical model.

slyguy

47 posts

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#163302 9-Sep-2008 13:57

If it's a scsi drive, first thing to make sure is that the scsi card of the machine can see it on boot up (you know, the text based screens on start up..) if it's an adaptec card, go in to the bios on bootup and do a scsi scan, it should then show the tape drive on it's correct ID... if not, change the scsi ID of the tape drive, and re scan..

Then, boot in to windows, and make sure that Device manager sees the drive in some form or other, either as a tape drive, a robotic library, or removeable media etc...

At this point, i would go straight in to backup exec and run the "Device Configuration Wizard" from the Options menu... at this point you will be asked which drivers you want to use... always go with symantec's own....

Once the wizard has finished, come out of Backup Exec, and restart the Backup Exec Media service (start, run, services.msc)

Then, go back in, and do a test backup to make sure you get a bite count !..

Hope that helps !