Feature Request : Bad Tapes

[vmtech123]

I'd like to make a feature request to deal more with bad tapes.
Alerting, testing etc, copy data if possible.

I had a few tape jobs fail multiple times recently. It took me a while to look at each job and troubleshoot to the point that the only thing common was a specific VOLSER number. After removing that tape things were good.

Could Veeam implement something that if the same tape fails 3 times that it marks the tape as bad? The same could go for a drive if it has a similar issue as I dealt with that sometime ago also. Or attempt a cleaning first then if it still fails mark the drive as bad.

It beats coming in on a Monday, noticing a bunch of failed tape jobs with no explanation as to why and that tape still trying to be used.

Under media having another option like Failed, would be an easy way to check, perhaps being able to automatically put the tape in the I/O drawer would be good too.

[Regnor]

I think most of what you're requesting is already implemented in Veeam.
If a tape generates too many errors, it will be moved to the retired tapes pool. Also tape drives which have errors or aren't accessible will be disabled.
I'm not sure about the detailed logic behind this though; errors thresholds etc.

Verifying and copying tapes also is already possible:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

[Dima P.]

SP,

Make sure that you have the drive cleaning enabled (either in Veeam B&R or natively via vendor's software). 9 out of 10 the issue like you've described is caused by the dirty drive. Thanks!

[vmtech123]

It's enabled. I was an IBM tech for 14 years so I have fixed many a TS4500 in my day

Is there any way to get the thresholds or logs involved with when a tape gets retired?

I recently just had one go to an offline state. how does this differ than retired?

[vmtech123]

Nevermind that last one. I think I did have a bad tape that I ejected. had to dig in the logs and found out it was a few months ago.