bplabel

bplabel — write NetBackup label on tape media

SYNOPSIS

<admin_dir_path>bplabel -m media_id -d density [-o] [-p volume_pool_name] [-n drive_name | -u device_number] [-host media_server] [-erase [-l]] [-priority number]

On Windows systems, <admin_dir_path> is <install_path>\NetBackup\bin\admincmd\

DESCRIPTION

The bplabel command writes a NetBackup label on the specified media. Labels are required only for the media that were last used for NetBackup catalog backups or by a non-NetBackup application. You can use this command to erase and label the media that is unassigned in a volume database. In addition, you can use this command to assign specific media IDs. The NetBackup Device Manager daemon or service (ltid) must be active for bplabel to succeed. You also must manually assign the drive by using the NetBackup Device Monitor unless you include the -u option on the bplabel command.

Caution:

Ensure that the media does not contain required backups. After the media is relabeled, any backups that were on it cannot be restored.

Any authorized user can run this command.

For more information about NetBackup authorization, refer to the NetBackup Security and Encryption Guide.

The following are some items about how to use this command:

  • The -m and -d options are required.

  • The -p option is required if the media ID is not in the NetBackup volume pool.

  • If the data on the media is in a recognized format and the -o option is not specified, bplabel prompts you to confirm the overwrite. Data format recognition works only if the first block on a variable length media is less than or equal to 32 kilobytes.

  • Use the bplabel command only for tapes.

You must have administrator privileges to run this command.

OPTIONS

-d density

A required option that specifies the density of the tape drive on which the media is mounted. The tape mount request must be performed on a drive type that satisfies the -d option.

Note:

Do not use capital letters when you enter the density. Incorrect density syntax causes the command to fail and an "Invalid Density Drive Type" message to appear.

The valid densities are as follows:

4mm (4-mm Cartridge)

8mm (8-mm Cartridge)

dlt (DLT Cartridge)

hcart (1/2 Inch Cartridge)

qscsi (1/4 Inch Cartridge)

-erase [-l]

This option is used to erase the media. Short erase is the default erase. If -l option is specified, the media is long erased. A long erase operation can take a long time depending on the type of drive.

-host media_server

The media_server variable is the host where the drive is attached. This drive is the drive that is used to mount the media. By default, if this option is not used, the command runs on the local system.

-m media_ID

A required option that specifies the external media ID that is written to the tape label as a media ID. You can enter the media ID in either uppercase or lowercase. Internally, it always converts to uppercase. The media ID must be six or fewer alphanumeric characters.

-n drive_name

Unconditionally assigns the stand-alone drive that drive_name specifies. The drive must contain media and be ready. By using this option, manual operator assignment is not required. The name for the drive can be obtained from the Media Manager configuration.

-o

Unconditionally overwrites the selected media ID. If this option is not specified, bplabel prompts for permission to overwrite the media that meets any of the following conditions:

Contains a NetBackup media header.

Is a NetBackup catalog backup media.

Is in TAR, CPIO, DBR, AOS/VS, or ANSI format.

-p volume_pool_name

This option is required if the media ID is defined in the Enterprise Media Manager Database but is not in the NetBackup volume pool.

volume_pool_name must specify the correct pool.

-priority number

Specifies a new priority (number) for the label job that overrides the default job priority.

-u device_number

Unconditionally assigns the stand-alone drive that device_number specifies. The drive must contain media and be ready. By using this option, manual operator assignment is not required. The number for the drive can be obtained from the Media Manager configuration.

NOTES

tpconfig -d, tpconfig -l, and vmoprcmd may truncate long drive names. Use tpconfig -dl to obtain the full drive name.

SEE ALSO

ltid, vmadm