Tape Manager and Librarian (TML)

Integrated tape and backup manager

ORBiT's Tape Manager & Librarian (TML) module automates many of the manual functions and eliminates all of the paperwork associated with backup.

Backup scheduling, tape selection, identification labelling, tape usage and reliability tracking, and scratching of expired tapes are all managed by TML.

TML also catalogs all backup statistics and provides online lookups and offline reporting of all information associated with backups.

TML is a useful tool for the operator, automating tedious but necessary manual functions and assuring that auditing requirements are enforced. TML also provides a lifeline to normal backup operations and data contained on tapes in the operator's absence and for sites that have no operator.

Because TML is fully-integrated within BACKUP+/iX, its benefits are provided as a by-product of performing regular backups.

Organizes backups by cycle

To simplify and organize backups, TML defines each type of backup as a cycle, for example, FULL and PARTIAL. The user-defined cycle configuration includes the files to store, the number of generations of the backup cycle to retain, how long to retain each one, how often the cycle is to be stored, on what days it may be stored, and the size of media to select.

Integrated with STORE

TML is invoked by simply storing a cycle using BACKUP+/iX. The cycle is referenced on the BACKUP+/iX STORE command prefixed by an "!", just like an indirect file.

TML automatically selects the required number of free (blank or scratched) tapes of the specified size for the cycle being stored and of the appropriate media for the backup device being stored to. Tapes which have been designated for use with the referenced cycle are selected; otherwise, tapes are selected from global pool.

TML automatically selects the required number of free (blank or scratched) tapes of the specified size for the cycle being stored and of the appropriate media for the backup device being stored to. Tapes which have been designated for use with the referenced cycle are selected; otherwise, tapes are selected from a global pool of free tapes.

Assures correct tape usage

TML displays the specific tapes required by user-assigned volume ID at the beginning of the store so they may be pulled for use. (There is also a PREVIEW command to display the required tapes without actually invoking the store.) Each mount request during the store calls for the required tape by its volume ID. Incorrect tapes are rejected, providing a foolproof method of not overwriting unscratched tapes. This is particularly important for unattended backups and backups to multiple tape or DDS drives.

Prints tape identification labels

TML optionally prints an identification label for each tape used in the store, which includes the cycle and generation, store date and time, expiration date, and sequence within the backup. Identification labels may also be printed on demand, such as for labeling new tapes.

Powerful reporting capabilities

All information about each backup is captured and cataloged in an IMAGE database for online and offline reporting using the SHOW command.

SHOW CYCLE displays each active generation of a cycle and its characteristics, including resource requirements, creation and expiration information, the tapes stored to, and all the files stored.

SHOW TAPE displays media characteristics and usage, error, and retry counts for each tape, as well as all the files each tape contains.

SHOW FILE shows all the occurrences and attributes of specified files on all active backups.

These powerful reporting capabilities provide immediate answers to any question you may have about your backups and tapes.

Expired tapes scratched automatically

TML is capable of automatically scratching expired tapes, thereby freeing them up for reuse. If desired, tapes may instead be scratched manually once they have expired. Tapes are not selected for reuse until they are expired and have been scratched, ensuring that essential backups are not over-written prematurely.

Assures reliable backups

Because TML is fully integrated with BACKUP+/iX, it is able to assure that backups are secure and reliable and that auditing requirements are satisfied.

TML prevents overwriting unscratched tapes or free tapes reserved for another cycle by calling for the appropriate tape on each mount request and assuring that it has been mounted. This also avoids the confusion associated with tape handling - especially during shift changes, when performing an unattended backup, and for backups that are executed by someone other than the regular operator, such as an inexperienced user. TML maintains confidence statistics for each tape, including the number of times the tape has been written to and the number of errors and retries that occurred on the last several uses. This facilitates the discarding of substandard tapes which can jeopardize and slow down backups.

Facilitates proper restores

TML facilitates correct restores by providing quick online lookup of all the occurrences of any file or fileset on all active backups. It even shows when each copy of every file was last modified, revealing multiple versions of a file that are identical. This feature eliminates the slow and error-prone practice of manually searching through printed SHOW listings to identify the latest copy of a file or a prior version. More importantly, it provides a method of any user - even a desperate programmer at midnight - to locate the files needed without the assistance of an operator.

Restore Wizard

The Restore Wizard eliminates the need to search through SHOW listings and other manual efforts to identify the backups and tapes that contain the files to be restored: just issue a RESTORE command and the Wizard automatically identifies the appropriate backups and calls for the required tapes.

You can specify which version of each file should be restored: the latest backed-up version (default), the most recently modified version, the version that was modified or stored within a specified date/time range, or the version contained within a particular backup. You can preview all restores to ensure that the desired versions of files were selected before they are actually restored, and you can refine the selection result.

The most powerful feature of the Restore Wizard is its ability to span multiple backups. For example, if you want to restore an account whose files are contained on the latest full backup and some partial backups, you can do this with a single RESTORE command, without having to think about which backups are required.

Answers all your backup questions...

• WHO
• Performed this backup?
• Overwrote these tapes?
• WHAT
• Files are on this tape?
• Tapes should be used for this backup?
• WHERE
• Are the tapes for the last full backup?
• Is the latest copy of this file?
• WHEN
• Was the last partial backup performed?
• Is the next backup due?
• Should these tapes be discarded?
• Do more tapes need to be purchased?
• WHY
• • Should this tape not be overwritten?
  • Is this tape unreliable?
• HOW
• Much time will this backup take?
• Many tapes?