Converting from tape to BLM
[Windows DS-Client]
DS-Client can convert data from tape backups into BLM format Archive Packages (see
“Backup Lifecycle Management (BLM)”). These Archive Packages can then be sent to your service provider to import to the BLM Archiver (for off-site storage).
The following are requirements to convert from tape to BLM:
• Tape Drive must be directly connected to the DS-Client computer.
• Tape Format must be MTF (Microsoft Tape Format).
The following limitations exist for data you convert from tape: special operating system backups that were created using the tape backup utility (e.g. System State, Microsoft Exchange) are not restorable.
Converting from tape to BLM
1. Load the tape(s) you want to convert.
2. Click Initial Backup > Tape Conversion to BLM.
The Tape Conversion Wizard appears.
When this screen appears, the Tape Converter automatically counts how many physical tapes are in the drives. Initially, all tapes appear under “Unidentified Tapes”.
• Refresh: Updates the screen with the latest information that DS-Client has from the Tape Library’s memory.
• Identify Tape: Scans the selected tape for information about the backup data on the tape.
NOTE: If the DS-Client service is restarted, all tapes will be reset to “Unidentified Tapes”.
3. If you need to identify a tape, select it and click Identify Tape.
A new activity will start (a separate Process Monitor will appear).
4. When this activity has finished, click Refresh to update the list.
Changing tapes
IMPORTANT: The DS-Client Tape Converter depends on Windows to interface with the Tape Drives. Therefore, you must change tapes in a way that Windows will always be aware of your changes.
To change a tape:
1. Open the Tape Drive door, and take a tape out from its slot.
2. Close the Tape Drive door. Let Windows perform its inventory, and the removed tape will be marked as off-line.
3. Open the Tape Drive door again, and put the new tape in the empty slot.
4. Close the Tape Drive door.
Windows will identify the new tape.
5. After Windows identifies the Tape, click Refresh in the Tape Conversion Wizard to update the DS-Client’s list from the Tape Library’s memory.
After a Tape has been identified, all the backup set(s) on that tape appear in the list.
NOTE: You can only convert from a tape that has been identified.
6. Select the level that you want to convert, and click Next.
• Computer Name: converts all backup sets listed for that computer.
• Backup Set: converts the highlighted backup set.
7. Select the data to convert, and click Next.
By default, the entire backup set is selected.
8. Select the conversion options, and click Next.
• Before Conversion: If the tape is in MTF, DS-Client can convert the data without entering any password(s).
• After Conversion: Specify the location where DS-Client will save the Archive Package. The BLM Session and Backup Set Name are labels that will help you find the Archive Package after it is imported to the BLM Archiver.
The Tape Conversion Wizard displays a summary of the tape data you are about to convert.
9. Click Finish.
When the conversion is completed, the data in the Target Path can be shipped to your service provider for import to the BLM Archiver.