HP D2D100 Backup System - Manual (Page 87)

Physical
Tape Drive
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Autoloader
HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System
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Mailslot Cartridge 2 slot Mail
Step 2
Use HP D2D Web
Management Interface to
export to tape drive. Step 1
Use backup application on
host to move cartridge to mail
slot.
Figure 37 Cartridge export
Why use the Export functionality?
The main reason for using Export is to create more space on the HP D2D Backup System. If space is not
an issue, Copy is the recommended method for creating offsite backups, because it is controlled solely
from the Web Management Interface and will not impact any tape rotation strategy. Export involves use
of the backup application. It is directly analogous to moving a cartridge in a physical autoloader to a mail
slot (import/export element) so that the backup administrator can take it offsite or put it into a firesafe.
Only a single copy of the cartridge exists. It is on physical tape and no longer on the cartridge in the HP
D2D Backup System. The backup application is fully aware that the cartridge location is now offsite, so
cannot overwrite it without explicitly asking for the cartridge to be moved back into the autoloader.
The main advantage of Export is that it frees up disk space on the HP D2D Backup System. However,
care must be taken to ensure that future backups do not fail. For example, if a weekly backup tape is
"exported", it will not be available for append or overwrite the next time it is required. Depending on
the backup application configuration it may be possible to simply create a new blank cartridge in the
autoloader for use the next time a weekly backup is required, however, in some configurations it will be
necessary to re-import the physical copy in order for the next backup to occur successfully.
When would Export be used?
Cartridge exports are likely to be used when the user wishes to free up space on the HP D2D Backup
System by exporting to physical tape a cartridge that is used infrequently. For example, if a rotation
scheme uses twelve monthly tapes, it is safe to export a monthly tape from two months ago because it will
not now be required (except for infrequent restores) for another ten months. The same applies to yearly
tapes which may never be required again as they are kept forever.
When would I restore from an exported cartridge?
Restoring from an "exported" cartridge has a higher likelihood than from a copied cartridge, because
the data no longer resides on the HP D2D Backup System. If a restore from an "exported" cartridge is
required, the backup application will ask for the cartridge to be re-imported into the HP D2D before it can
be used for restore. Exported cartridges may also be used for disaster recovery, as with copied cartridges.
Disadvantages of Export
1. Restores may take longer if a physical cartridge is required for the restore.
D2D Backup System 87