---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dermot Beirne <dermot.beirne AT dpd DOT ie>
Date: 18 March 2010 14:06
Subject: Recycle Pool and autoloaders
To: bacula-users AT lists.sourceforge DOT net


Hi,
I am using Bacula 3.0.2 on Ubuntu 9.04.

I use disk staging backups, first to disk, and then on to tape.

The only part i seem to be having a problem with is the recyclepool.
It is set to Scratch, but volumes are never moved there, even if
status is recycle, full, or used.

The technicians remove the tapes used for backups in the previous 24
hours, and refill the autoloader slots with tapes from the Scratch
pool.  The problem is the Scratch pool is not getting replenished
automatically.

My tape Pool config looks like this:

# Scratch pool definition
Pool {
 Name = Scratch
 Pool Type = Backup
 Cleaning Prefix = "CLNU"
}

## Tape Pool Definitions
# Daily Tape Pool Definition

Pool {
 Name = Daily-Tape-Pool
 Pool Type = Backup
 Storage = Tape
 Recycle = yes
 AutoPrune = yes
 Volume Retention = 12 days
 Cleaning Prefix = "CLNU"
 RecyclePool = Scratch
 Volume Use Duration = 23h
 RecycleOldestVolume = yes
}

Pool {
 Name = Weekly-Tape-Pool
 Pool Type = Backup
 Storage = Tape
 Recycle = yes
 Autoprune = yes
 Volume Retention = 32 days
 Cleaning Prefix = "CLNU"
 RecyclePool = Scratch
 Volume Use Duration = 23h
 RecycleOldestVolume = yes
}
# Monthly Tape Pool Definition
Pool {
 Name = Monthly-Tape-Pool
 Pool Type = backup
 Storage = Tape
 Recycle = yes
 Autoprune = yes
 Volume Retention = 12 months
 Cleaning Prefix = "CLNU"
 RecyclePool = Scratch
 Volume Use Duration = 23h
 RecycleOldestVolume = yes
}
# Yearly Tape Pool Definition
Pool {
 Name = Yearly-Tape-Pool
 Pool Type = backup
 Storage = Tape
 Recycle = no
 Autoprune = no
 Volume Retention =  10 years
 Cleaning Prefix = "CLNU"
 Volume Use Duration = 23h
}

Some of the above Tape pools have volumes listed with status Full,
Used and Recycle.
Each volumes recycle pool is set to Scratch.

My understanding is that the volumes will never be used/pruned/purged
as long as a suitable tape can be found.  If this is correct, then
only when there is no suitable tape in the autoloader, will Bacula
start purging these volumes back to Scratch.  It will be too late at
that stage, as the purged volumes will not be in the autoloader, and
therefore the backup will sit waiting for a tape to be loaded.

What needs to happen for the volumes to be automatically moved to Scratch?

Thanks
Dermot.