Tape compatiblity - diagnostic/self assessment test tool

[Poweruser]

You have a list which drive may work.
But you dont have a diagnostic/test tool included, where the user can test it.

the tool should do some test and ask the user for some tests:
eject test
push in test
clean test
led test
write and read test: full, random, whatever
..

most tests should go automatically using a tape.
after all tests have been run the users knows the tape i highly possible compatible.

also.. what happens when admins changes block size after/before writing?

and also it should do a verify/read test for every job if wanted by the user or every n days.

[Dima P.]

Hello Poweruser.

you dont have a diagnostic/test tool included

Such diagnostic tools are usually provided by device vendors. We might have something similar in support but it's used for troubleshooting purposes.

what happens when admins changes block size after/before writing?

New block size is set to the drive and used for all the further operations. Tapes written with previous block size value would require changing the value back to read the data properly.

verify/read test for every job if wanted by the user

Added your vote to tape verification request. Thanks!

[Poweruser]

Okay so if Blocksize is a matter, i just keep it at default blocksize. I think its a veeam value.
But it would be nice if veeam could store blocksizes into the header of the tape. so veeam would be able to detect the right blocksize, because you wont remember what you have set up years ago.
writing the max blocksize (reserving freespace and just writing into the first bytes a mark..)

maybe that would make usage more safe.

[Dima P.]

Poweruser,

User is notified whenever drive blocksize is different from tape media, so you can go and change the value in the drive properties.

[Poweruser]

okay thats fine. but there is no autodetect or view of the right value so i have to guess?