How to make Netvault prioritise VDL virtual tape over a real tape for a restore (4045640)

Date: March 2006 - updated March 2008
NV Version: up until NetVault 7.4.5u4
OS Version: ALL
Application version: n/a
Plugin version: n/a

Description:
If there are 2 copies of the same backup one on a 'real' tape drive the other stored within a virtual tape within a VDL as a result of a data copy or duplication job Netvault will select the 'real tape'

Symptoms:
When a restore job is submitted netvault will select the 'real' tape which may be undesirable due to additional latency with the mechanical loading and positioning of the tape.

To enforce selection of a virtual tape for a restore:

#1 edit the media manager config file
In the NetVault installation directory, sub-directory config, file mediamgr.cfg (~netvault/config/mediamgr.cfg)

#2 append the following lines :

[Defaults:VDL Priority On Restore]
Type = Checkbox
Label = Give priority to using VDL device on restore
Label Id = 0
Value = TRUE

[Defaults:Non-VDL Priority On Restore]
Type = Checkbox
Label = Give priority to using non-VDL device on restore
Label Id = 0
Value = FALSE

#3 start the netvault configurator

#4 Stop and Restart the NetVault service in [NetVault Configurator | Service tab].

#5 Go to [NetVault Configurator | Media Manager tab] - there should be two extra checkboxes there.
Check that the checkbox "Give priority to using VDL device on restore" is ticked and the checkbox "Give priority to using non-VDL device on restore" is un- selected

#6 submit an apropriate restore job to verify the media selection

Please note that as from NetVault 8.0 the above procedure is not necessary as NV8.0 introduces a new 'Source' tab which allows you to select your source media.

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