Veeam and MPIO Tape (ex.HP MSL 2024)- System.NullReferenceE.

[sfpp]

Hello,
this is a notice for Veeam users with HP MSL 2024 (and other similar).
For this library (as other) there aren't MPIO driver.
In this case Veeam is not able to manage "MPIO" -or- "PATH" by sofware.

If you sometimes receive this:

Code: Select all

[12.07.2015 04:48:06] <01> Error    Failed to continue tape backup session on the next tape medium (Veeam.Backup.Common.FailedToContinueBackupException)
[12.07.2015 04:48:06] <01> Error    Object reference not set to an instance of an object. (System.NullReferenceException)

the only solution is "disable/disconnect" one path also if this is not a good solution for HA/redundancy infrastucture.

Here a official reply from the support

Yes, it is correct - Veeam is not able to manage/support MPIO by the software yet, however it will be fixed in future releases.

The only workaround now is to disable one path.

Sorry for inconvenience.

This is strange but I have never seen anything implemented by Veeam about reports and problems

Regards

[Dima P.]

Hi SFPP,
Can you update this thread with the case ID please? To be precise, I want to check the case details first. Thanks

[sunnydays]

Hi SFPP,

We had the exact same issues! If you look at your tape server and under device manager, you may have 2 x tape drives and 2 x media changers. If so, this is probably the same issue!
We have a HP MSL2024 G3 (LTO-6) which has basic fail-over functionality. To see if your device supports this fail-over functionality, visit here: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04325872.pdf

Anyways, to enable the "Data Path Failover" function, you need to browse to the Tape Drive Administration Web Interface > Configuration > Drive > Check the box "Data Path Failover Enabled" (ensure there is no tape loaded, it will prompt you anyway) and then it will restart the tape drive. Device manager on the tape server should only show 1 x tape drive and 1 x media changer.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Sunny

[Dima P.]

sunnydays,
Awesome! Thanks for sharing the solution with the community!

[sfpp]

Hi SFPP,

We had the exact same issues! If you look at your tape server and under device manager, you may have 2 x tape drives and 2 x media changers. If so, this is probably the same issue!
We have a HP MSL2024 G3 (LTO-6) which has basic fail-over functionality. To see if your device supports this fail-over functionality, visit here: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04325872.pdf

Anyways, to enable the "Data Path Failover" function, you need to browse to the Tape Drive Administration Web Interface > Configuration > Drive > Check the box "Data Path Failover Enabled" (ensure there is no tape loaded, it will prompt you anyway) and then it will restart the tape drive. Device manager on the tape server should only show 1 x tape drive and 1 x media changer.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Sunny

Hello Sunny,
our HP MSL2024 G3 LTO-4 (and last firmware) is without this option..

[sfpp]

Hi SFPP,
Can you update this thread with the case ID please? To be precise, I want to check the case details first. Thanks

Hello Dima,

case #00967054

Regards

[sunnydays]

Hello Sunny,
our HP MSL2024 G3 LTO-4 (and last firmware) is without this option..

Oh, that's really unlucky. My prior alternative was to disable one of the HBA controllers in device manager. At least that will give you a way to manage "HA" remotely

[Dima P.]

SFPP,
Thanks for sharing! We will review your case and discuss how we could enhance the existing functionality in next verions.