Expired Tape is 'locked'

[jf1983]

We use Veeam to offload archive data to tape periodically. Our production data is handled using veeam and a cloud connect partner for offsite storage.

We have had a few instances where tape jobs fail so they need to be relaunched; however the media is unavailable to use. Using Get-VBRTapeMedium I was able to check one of the tapes, and it is showing as expired, but 'isLocked' is true. is there an easy way to unlock these tapes so they can be added back to the free media pool to continue the job?

[Dima P.]

Hello Josh.

When tape is expired that means it's physically retired (Veeam B&R receives end on life notification from tape device) you cannot use it anymore.

[jf1983]

Dima,

These tapes have never been used before. We used them once for a job but we had a power failure so one the power was restored we wanted to restart the job?

[lyapkost]

Hi Josh.

You need to physically remove these tapes from the library, perform library rescan after which the tapes will become offline. Then perform 'Remove from catalog' in Tape infrastructure node. Finally insert the tapes back into the library, you'll find them in 'Unrecognized' media pool and may try to use again. Keep in mind that tapes are marked as retired in case tape device sends the corresponding alert.