Yeah, I ended up putting those tapes in read-only mode, then found out
the next few tapes it tried to load were write protected too. :)  I'm
ejecting all of them now.

Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: EMC NetWorker discussion [mailto:NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU] On
Behalf Of Fazil Saiyed
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 9:36 AM
To: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Subject: Re: [Networker] Write Protected Tapes

Hello,
I have seen networker keep trying to mount the physically write
protected 
tapes repeatedly, in couple of instances, failing backups completely
when 
networker was unable to decide on mounting tapes that were not write 
protected for backups, you can change the mode of the tape  to read only

to avoid this type of behavior, typically during restores.
Be sure to remove this media asap & keep track of them.
HTH



Davina Treiber <Davina.Treiber AT PEEVRO.CO DOT UK> 
Sent by: EMC NetWorker discussion <NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU>
01/05/2009 09:26 AM
Please respond to
EMC NetWorker discussion <NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU>; Please respond

to
Davina Treiber <Davina.Treiber AT PEEVRO.CO DOT UK>


To
NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
cc

Subject
Re: Write Protected Tapes






Chester Martin wrote:
> When our recyclable tapes are put back into the system sometimes
> unintentionally the write protect is being left on the tapes.
> Unfortunately when this happens all of the tapes that are put back in
> have the write protect still on so we'll end up with a lot of tapes
that
> are "unusable" by networker until the write protect is turned off.
> 
> 
> 
> When networker tries to use the tape it comes up with this error:
> 
> "Write open error: command completed successfully (drive status is
> DRIVE_STATUS_WRITE_PROTECT)"
> 
> 
> 
> I know the bigger issue is the tapes are being put back into the
library
> with write protect on, but is there some type of command that can be
run
> against the tapes in the library that will check to see if the write
> protect is on as a precaution?

No there isn't. You only know about this when you try to write to the 
tape, which is typically during the backups and when there is no-one 
around to fix it. This can cause havoc with NetWorker.

The question is, why are you write-protecting your tapes, ever? There is

no real need to do this on a regular basis. If you are a bit paranoid, 
it might be prudent to write-protect a tape when you deposit it for the 
purpose of a restore, but the rest of the time, why bother?

Perhaps consider modifying your tape-handling procedures.

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