Storage: Removable Disk based devices shows Read Only, backup jobs remain in Active or Queued state.

Problem

Backup targeted to Removable Disk Storage  remains in Active or Queued and the disk storage will have a pencil symbol in the storage tab.

The following alert is generated after Removable Disk Storage is connected to a Backup Exec server:

V-275-1123 - Backup Exec is limited to read only operations on this disk storage device.

Cause

Removable disk storage is set to "Read only" when it remains disconnected from Backup Exec server beyond the 'x' number of days specified in Backup Exec settings. Due to this "Read only" setting no new jobs can be performed on such disk storage devices.

This option prevents Backup Exec from reclaiming disk space (deleting any backup sets) from expired backup sets on any disk-based storage device that is attached after being absent for a number of days. This is to ensure that Backup sets are not accidentally deleted from storage device after it is re-connected to Backup Exec server after a long period. Backup jobs that you send to such device would fail. You can change this setting per disk-based storage device in the device's properties.  

Solution

Before you disable this setting, you may want to view the expiration dates of the backup sets and decide if you want to keep some backup sets longer. You can change the expiration date of a backup set, or you can retain a backup set indefinitely.
 

1. Go to Properties window of the Storage tab.
2. Change the Limit Backup Exec to read only operations to NO