Configuring Devices and Media Pools in HP Data Protector 8.1 with HP StoreOnce VSA
In part III of this series, we will dive deeper into the configuration of devices and media pools in HP Data Protector 8.1 when using an HP StoreOnce VSA. In the previous parts, we have covered the download and deployment of the HP StoreOnce VSA and the configuration of two libraries and the connection of the backup server to these two tape libraries.
Device Configuration
To begin with the device configuration, select “Devices & Media” from the drop-down menu and right-click “Devices”. Select “Autoconfigure Devices…”. The wizard will show all clients of the cell that have a media agent (MA) installed. In our example, only the backup server has an MA installed. Enable the checkbox and click “Next”. Data Protector will now discover the devices attached to the server with the MA.
Group by Devices View
The first view shown is “Group by Devices”, which displays the devices on top and the MA as leafs. This view can be helpful when you have multiple hosts with the same device name, as it allows you to distinguish between them.
Group by Media Pools View
The second view is “Group by Media Pools”, which displays the media pools on top and the devices as leafs. This view can be useful when you have multiple devices with the same media pool name, as it allows you to differentiate between them.
Configuring Media Pools
Media pools are a collection of media that can be used for backups. To configure a media pool, select “Media Pools” from the drop-down menu and right-click on an empty area of the window. Select “New Media Pool”. Give the pool a name and select the appropriate media type. Make sure that the media in this pool are not appendable!
Non-Appendable Media Pools
Media pools should be set to non-appendable, as appending data to tapes can cause performance issues and make it difficult to restore data from tapes. To set a media pool to non-appendable, open the “Properties” of the pool and select the “Non-Appendable” option.
Barcode Scan
After configuring the media pools, perform a barcode scan on the library to detect the tapes and their barcodes. This step is essential to ensure that Data Protector can properly identify and manage the tapes. To start the barcode scan, right-click on the library and select “Barcode Scan”.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered the configuration of devices and media pools in HP Data Protector 8.1 with an HP StoreOnce VSA. We have discussed the importance of using non-appendable media pools, configuring devices, and performing a barcode scan to ensure proper tape management. These steps are essential to achieving optimal performance and data protection when using an HP StoreOnce VSA with HP Data Protector 8.1.