https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/understanding-how-netbackup-writes-tape

I did a small write up on how NB writes to  tapes and how expiring images on a 
tape works.
This may give you a better understanding.

-----Original Message-----
From: veritas-bu-bounces AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu 
[mailto:veritas-bu-bounces AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu] On Behalf Of Adrian 
Soetanto
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 4:37 AM
To: veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
Subject: [Veritas-bu] Expired Backup ID Doesn't Free Up Some Space

Dear all,

I have a problem with expired backup images that are not deleted as soon
as it's expired, expecially the ones that are backed up using cartridge
volume pool (not a staging disk).
Here is the condition:
Suppose I have a volume pool named 'BMR' and all cartridges/media IDs in
it are full with multiple retention levels.
Some backup IDs that were using 'BMR' volume pool were expired a days
ago, but all media IDs in 'BMR' volume pool are still having the same
media status (full with multiple retention levels).

I can force the media ID (not the backup ID) to be expired and free it
up by using this command:
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd/bpexpdate -m media_id -d 0
But, by using the above command, it will delete all of the backup IDs in
that media ID, which I don't want it.

What I want is to delete only certain backup IDs in a media ID and free
up some space in that media ID.
I've tried to use this command:
/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd/bpexpdate -backupid backup_id -d 0
But it doesn't free up some space in the media ID, it just expires the
backup ID.

I've waited for the 'Image Cleanup' to run and hope it will free up some
space at the above media ID.
The Image Cleanup was finished successfully, but it didn't free up some
space at the above media ID.
>From the Image Cleanup log, I guess it just free up some space at the
staging disk only, doesn't it?
If it does, then how can I force the expired backup ID to be able to
free up some space in its media ID as soon as it was expired?

Thank you for helping.

--
Best Regards,
 Adrian

_______________________________________________
Veritas-bu maillist  -  Veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu


_______________________________________________
Veritas-bu maillist  -  Veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
http://mailman.eng.auburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/veritas-bu