File to Tape Backup strategy

[mike979]

i have a File to Tape Backup Job that I have had going on for quite some time. After the initial full backup, I just right click and do Start, rather than Active Full.

As I have more data, I just end up adding more tapes.

I have 4 machines, each that store data in ABC order. So when I upgrade space on one, I shift data. For instance if Machine A stores A-C, but then I increase storage space, I now have it store A-E. So in this model, My machine A backup gets larger (makes sense), but Machine B doesn't get smaller (because it just backups up new data).

But, now that I have transferred a lot of data between machines, not reusing tapes doesn't make sense.

What should I do?

1) I am tempted to just start over with a new full backup
2) Regardless, I need to figure out how to make this so that if I make it so that tapes rotate, that I don't end up deleting the full, or subsequent backups.

[karsten123]

daily full?

[Dima P.]

1) I am tempted to just start over with a new full backup

Sounds right.

2) Regardless, I need to figure out how to make this so that if I make it so that tapes rotate, that I don't end up deleting the full, or subsequent backups.

You can re-use (overwrite) older tapes that are no longer covered with retention. Say the tape sequence starting from first full backup till the next full backup - that would release tapes but keep some actual data.