Failed to start new tape backup session: StartSessionTape

[rreed]

Searched but couldn't find anything, after another drive in the library finishes its job I'll bounce the tape server and library - but we're coming out of a fresh reboot from earlier this morning anyways. If bouncing and trying again doesn't fix it, I'll open a ticket, but will likely be next week w/ the weekend coming up and one job is already in progress.

Dell TL2000 library, 2 drives, LT0-6, v9 w/ latest updates/etc. One drive is currently running a backup job, any other job I try (pool set to run concurrently), bombs out w/ this error:

Failed to start new tape backup session: StartSessionTape failed
Failed to prepare to start new tape session: StartSessionTape failed
Failed to prepare to start new tape session: StartSessionTape failed
StartSessionTape failed
Failed to get last session number, sessions map is empty.

[Dima P.]

rreed,

Similar issue was resolved by updating the firmware on the drive/library.

[rreed]

Thanks Dima, but issue persists after library/drive firmware updates.

[rreed]

At first it was just 1-2 jobs but looks like any job I try now. Doesn't seem to matter the source (local tape server, Windows server on network, CIFS share).

[DaveWatkins]

What drivers are you running? I've got a TL4000 here with two HH LTO6 drives working flawlessly. I believe they both run the same drivers since the 4000 is just a larger version

[rreed]

I'll have to look. Same ones we've been running for a while now; this just started up out of nowhere. Ours had been working about as well as it can up to this point.

Ah;
Version: A10
OEM Version: 6.2.3.3

[Dima P.]

rreed,

In addition, can you check if the hardware encryption is enabled? Thanks.

[rreed]

Hi Dima, encryption is enabled. It's tape.

[Dima P.]

rreed,

Thanks. Need some time to check with QA guys. Will get back to you once I hear back anything. Meanwhile, can you please submit a support case (if you already did that drop the case id to this thread)?

[rreed]

Thanks Dima. #01815585

I ran ITDT diags against the drive, all came back clean.

[Dima P.]

rreed,

Thanks. QA asked you to check if that’s happening with some particular tape media?

[StrangeWill]

I had this error after migrating to a new server but using the old tape library/tapes from the old system. It was trying to start off on a tape that had already been written to.

I just put the tapes that were partially written to into protected mode (couldn't be bothered to go grab the tapes from the library right now, it doesn't have a proper I/E port) and let it pick up a blank tape.

[Dima P.]

Hi William,

Thanks for sharing. When migrating previously written media it should be marked as free / erased (unless it was used within the same VBR console).