For restore jobs, Backup Exec accesses the source media (if it is contained in the magazine) regardless of its sequential placement in the magazine. For example, if the data specified for a restore job resides on two media in the magazine, the media do not have to be placed in adjacent slots for Backup Exec to restore the data. Backup Exec's ability to randomly access media in this manner minimizes the amount of administrator attention required at the media server.

If Backup Exec does not find the media required for the restore job in the robotic library or other accessible storage devices, an alert is issued requesting the media necessary to complete the job.