Tape Library (Tape Library) What is it?

A Tape Library is an automated storage system used for backing up and archiving data onto magnetic tapes (cartridges). It fundamentally consists of the following components:

• Tape Drives: Hardware components where data is written to or read from the tape.

• Slots: Physical locations where the tape cartridges are stored.

• Robotic Mechanism (Picker/Robotic Arm): An automated arm that retrieves cartridges from their slots and places them into the tape drives, or vice-versa, according to software commands.

This system is ideal for storing large volumes of data at a low cost, in an energy-efficient manner, and for long periods. Cartridges typically use LTO (Linear Tape-Open) technology.

How to Use Tape Library with Veeam?

Veeam Backup & Replication supports tape units, including Tape Libraries, standalone drives, and Virtual Tape Libraries (VTL). The general steps for use are as follows:

1. Tape Server Installation: The Veeam Tape Proxy component is automatically installed by Veeam on the server (usually Windows Server) to which the Tape Library is physically connected.

2. Library Identification: The Tape Library is introduced in the Veeam interface via the Tape Proxy, and Veeam pulls the device information (drives, slots, cartridges).

3. Media Pool Creation: Logical groups called Media Pools are created for the blank cartridges that will be used. These pools determine which set of tapes the backup jobs will use.

4. Tape Job Creation:

   • Backup to Tape Job: Used to copy backup files (restore points) already existing on disk (Veeam Repository) to the selected tapes. This is generally the main way to create the "offsite" copy for the 3-2-1 Rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite/backup).

   • File to Tape Job: Used to back up specific files or folders directly to tape (mostly for archiving purposes).

Veeam monitors the restore points on the tape, making it easy to restore from tape when needed.

When Should We Use a Tape Library?

Tape Library usage is critical and common, especially in the following situations:

1. To Comply with the 3-2-1 Rule

The 3-2-1 Rule is an industry standard that recommends keeping 3 copies of your data (primary data + 2 backups) on 2 different storage media (e.g., disk and tape), with 1 copy stored offsite/remote (Offsite).

• Tape: Plays the most critical role in enforcing this rule as it is the second media after disk and a copy that can be easily physically transported offsite.

2. Long-Term Archiving and Retention

• Legal/Regulatory Requirements: In some sectors (finance, healthcare, etc.), data must be stored for 7 years, 10 years, or even longer due to legal obligations.

• Low Cost: Tape is much more cost-effective than disk and cloud in terms of unit storage cost (per terabyte), making it an economical solution for long-term archiving.

3. "Air-Gapped" (Physical Isolation) Protection

• Ransomware Prevention: Tape cartridges can be physically removed from the Tape Library and stored in a secure location after the backup job is complete. This creates an "air-gap," making it impossible for ransomware or cyber attackers to reach these backups over the network. This is one of the most secure backup methods.

4. Very Large Data Volumes

• High Capacity: Tape technologies (especially LTO-9 and later) offer very large data capacities even on a single cartridge (up to 45 TB with compressed data).

In summary, a Tape Library is an indispensable backup medium, especially if you have high-security, low-cost, long-term, and large-scale archiving needs.

How Can We Track Cartridges in Veeam?

Veeam Backup & Replication has a very detailed and automated mechanism for tracking cartridges within the Tape Library. This allows backup administrators to know when, where, and what data a particular tape contains.

The core methods and components for cartridge tracking in Veeam are:

• Media Pools

• Media States

• Inventory and Catalog

• Retention Policies

• Media Labels and Reporting

How Will We Track the Number of Empty Cartridges?

The foundation of tracking is the logical grouping of cartridges. A cartridge is always assigned to a Media Pool. It can sometimes be overlooked to track the number of empty cartridges assigned to a Media Pool. There are many methods for managing and tracking this. I prefer reporting with a PowerShell script.

The following is the PowerShell script that sends an email to the specified email address(es) if the number of cartridges in the Media Pool Name drops to 2 or below:

PowerShell

$tapeMediaPoolName = "Media_Pool_Name" # Media Pool name to check
$smtpServer = "SMTP_Server" # SMTP server address
$smtpPort = 25 # SMTP server port
$smtpFrom = "Sender_Mail" # Sender email address
$smtpTo = "Mail" # Recipient email address
$emailSubject = "Veeam Tape Media Pool Warning"

# Checking for free tapes in the Media Pool
try {
    # Get Media Pool information
    $mediaPool = Get-VBRTapeMediaPool -Name $tapeMediaPoolName
    if (-not $mediaPool) {
        throw "Media Pool '$tapeMediaPoolName' not found."
    }

    # Get free tapes
    $freeTapes = Get-VBRTapeMedium -MediaPool $mediaPool | Where-Object {$_.IsFree -eq $true}
    $freeTapeCount = $freeTapes.Count

    # Check the number of free tapes
    if ($freeTapeCount -le 2) {
        # Prepare email body
        #$emailBody = $emailBodyTemplate -f $tapeMediaPoolName, $freeTapeCount
        $emailBody = @"
    Hello,
    Media Pool: $tapeMediaPoolName
    Free Tape Count: $freeTapeCount
    Please take action.
    Onur Demir
"@
        # Send email
        Send-MailMessage -From $smtpFrom -To $smtpTo -Subject $emailSubject -Body $emailBody -SmtpServer $smtpServer -Port $smtpPort
        Write-Host "Warning email sent."
    } else {
        Write-Host "There are enough free tapes in the Media Pool ($freeTapeCount units)."
    }
} catch {
    Write-Error "An error occurred: $_"
}

Thank you for taking the time to read my article.

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