Why Use The Export Functionality; When Would Export Be Used; Cartridge Export - HP StorageWorks D2D100 - Backup System User Manual

CAUTION:
Do not export cartridges that the backup application uses on a frequent basis as part of a rotation
strategy because it will not be able to write to the empty slot.
Step 1
Use backup application on host
to move cartridge to mail slot.
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HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System
Figure 54 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 deduplication
is enabled on the library device or 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 library 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 library.
The main advantage of Export is that it frees up disk space on the HP D2D Backup System if deduplication
is disabled on the library device. 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 library 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 a library device where
deduplication is disabled 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.
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Using Tape Attach
Mail slot
Library
Step 2
Use HP D2D Web Management
Interface to export to tape drive.
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Library
HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System
Physical
Tape Drive
Cartridge