So we replaced our tape library with a Quantum Superloader 3 last September. Overall it works OK with BackupExec 2012. The biggest issue is when a job needs a tape that hasn't already be loaded and identified by the tape library. The job will prompt and say I should import the tape. But import is apparently not supported on this device. I can run an import job and it will just sit there until cancelled with no prompts or actions on the tape library. I can get the tape into the library by using the control panel on the front of the library, but then BackupExec doesn't see that the tape was inserted. "SCAN" is the function required to do that, but "SCAN" jobs sit waiting for the original job that requested the tape to complete before running. That created a lockout situation because in order to see the tape needed for the original job, BackupExec needs to SCAN the library. But it won't.
Today, I finally found a combination that works around the issue. Here's how to do it:
- Manually insert the tape into a slot in the library.
- Start a BackupExec import job for that slot.
- Once the tape shows up in that slot in BackupExec, cancel the import job
Of course, it would be nice if SCAN jobs just ran when a job was waiting for a tape mount. Or if import jobs would simply complete once they say a tape was already in the slot. Or if they worked in the first space. But for now, at least I can work around it without cancelling the original job.
Maybe by sharing this a real solution can be worked into the product...