Converting from tape to BLM
For Windows DS-Clients, you can convert data from tape backups into BLM format archive packages. These archive packages can then be sent to your service provider to import to the BLM Archiver for off-site storage.
To convert from tape to BLM, ensure the following requirements are met:
• The tape drive must be directly connected to the DS-Client computer.
• The tape format must be MTF (Microsoft Tape Format).
NOTE: Special operating system backups that were created using the tape backup utility (e.g. System State) are not restorable.
To convert from tape to BLM:
1. Load the tape(s) that you want to convert.
2. On the Initial Backup menu, click Tape Conversion to BLM. The tape converter automatically counts how many physical tapes are in the drives. Initially, all tapes appear under Unidentified Tapes.
1. To change a tape, open the tape drive door, and take a tape out from its slot.
2. Close the tape drive door. Allow Windows to perform its inventory so the removed tape will be marked as offline.
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 to update the DS-Client’s list from the tape library’s memory. After a Tape has been identified, all the backups on that tape appear in the list.
NOTE: You can only convert from a tape that has been identified.
6. Do the following:
a) To scan a tape for information about the backup data on the tape, select the tape, and then click Identify Tape.
b) Select the level that you want to convert, and then click Next.
• Computer Name – Converts all backups listed for that computer.
• Backup Set – Converts the highlighted backup.
7. Select the data to convert, and then click Next. By default, the entire backup is selected.
8. Do the following:
a) Under Before Conversion, if the tape is in MTF format, DS-Client can convert the data without entering any password(s).
b) Under After Conversion, specify the location where DS-Client will save the archive package. Type a label for the BLM session and backup name to help you identify the archive package after it is imported to the BLM Archiver.
a) Click Next.
9. Click Finish.
When the conversion is completed, the data in the target path can be shipped to your service provider to import to the BLM Archiver. After the data has been imported to the BLM Archiver, you can request Restorable Images. For more information, see
“Restoring from the BLM Archiver”.)