Catalog job fails with the error "0xe0000901 - The storage media-based catalog data was not written during backup for a given backup set. Backup Exec must catalog this backup set using a file-by-file cataloging method."

Problem

Catalog job fails with the error "0xe0000901 - The storage media-based catalog data was not written during backup for a given backup set. Backup Exec must catalog this backup set using a file-by-file cataloging method."

Error Message

The  error occurs while performing a catalog operation in Backup Exec.

Final error: 0xe0000901 - The storage media-based catalog data was not written during backup for a given backup set.
Backup Exec must catalog this backup set using a file-by-file cataloging method.
Final error category: Backup Media Errors

Solution

When the "Use storage media-based catalogs" check box is selected, Backup Exec is able to read the catalog information that is on the media. This allows the catalog operation to complete much faster as it is not reading each file on the media to build a new catalog. This option reduces the size of the catalogs considerably.

After the catalogs have been truncated, the files and directories cannot be restored unless the media is recataloged. If the check box is not selected during a catalog operation, all files on the tape must be read file-by-file to create a new catalog.

Having the option cleared is very useful when cataloging media written by other backup software applications, such as ArcServe. When running a catalog operation with this check box not selected, it is normal that the procedure will take a long time to complete. The catalog procedure may take as long or longer than the time it took to record the backup job operation.

If a particular backup job spanned more than one tape, clearing this option also allows you to catalog one of the tapes independently without requiring the other tapes. Backup Exec will catalog the particular tape only.