NetBackup media server is not using all the available configured tape drives

There are several parameters that affect the number of tape drives that a media server may use at any given time.  For example, if there are multiple tape drives configured on a media server, but only one tape drive is being used at a time during backups, then one of the following configuration parameters may be the cause.

 

It has been observed that policies using Policy Storage "Any Available" (under the Attributes tab) may not select additional drives if more than one robot is in use.  To prevent this it is suggested to either modify this selection with a specific storage device, or if the intention is to allow all drives on multiple robots to be used, create a Storage Unit Group.  To do so, go into the NetBackup Admin Console under NetBackup Management > Storage > Storage Unit Groups and add a new one.  Once the group is created you must modify the policy's Policy Storage setting to match the new STUG.

Using the GUI, click on: Master Server - > Properties > global attributes
The Maximum Jobs per client parameter will control the number of jobs starting on one client.  Set it to something greater than 1.

Storage Unit Management GUI
Storage Unit -> Storage Unit Properties
Number of Drives Or Max current write drives

This parameter will control how many drives any one storage unit will use.

Maximum multiplexing per drive

This parameter will control how many streams one drive will accept.

Backup Policy Management GUI
policy -> Attributes

Maximum jobs per class or limit jobs per policy
(This parameter will control how many jobs/streams the class can run at one time)
policy -> Schedules

Media multiplexing
(This parameter will control how many jobs/streams the class can multiplex on one drive)

If the above settings do not identify the reason why only one tape drive is being used, review this file:

On UNIX:
/usr/openv/netbackup/db/config/behavior

On Windows:
<install path>\veritas\netbackup\db\config\behavior

Look for the MAX_DRIVES_THIS_MASTER setting to determine if there is a value other than 0 (zero).

The value of 0 is the default. This setting does not put any limits to the number of drives.  Any other value limits the total number of drives the master can use to that value.
If a value other than 0 is present, change it to 0.

 

 

 

Confirm no Tape Alert or cleaning request is outstanding