I can't say whether or not this misbehavior is new to P20230227; we don't use the tapes' write protect switch very frequently.
We have P20230227 update installed, and I've since discovered that B&R doesn't acknowledge that the write protect switch ("hardware protection") has been unlocked.
Our tape Media Pools are set to move the tape to a Vault that is set to protect the tape automatically.
Steps to replicate the misbehavior:
- Import a tape that has its write protect switch newly set.
If the tape has data, B&R had previously automatically moved the tape to a vault, so the "software protection" status indicator is shown, as expected. - Un-check B&R's software protection on the tape.
No protection is shown. - Select the tape, and tell B&R to erase it.
B&R discovers the "hardware protection", fails the Erase job, and then subsequently shows the "hardware protection" status indicator. - Export the tape.
If the tape has data, B&R moves the tape back to a vault.
If the tape is blank, B&R does not move the tape to the vault. <- Is this expected behavior? Veeam Backup & Replication 11 > Tape Devices Support > Vaults indicates that it is not. - Unlock the write protect switch.
- Import the tape.
If the tape is blank, B&R immediately incorrectly shows the "hardware protection" status indicator again.
If the tape has data, the "software protection" status indicator is shown (see step 4's comment), and un-checking B&R's software protection makes B&R then incorrectly show the "hardware protection" status indicator.