Oracle backup fails with “ORA-19554: error allocating device, device type: SBT_TAPE, device name” (4043784)

Oracle backup fails with  “ORA-19554: error allocating device, device type: SBT_TAPE, device name” as seen in binary log extract below.

Job Message      2020/07/30 14:31:37     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     Plug-in: 'Plug-in for Oracle', Version: '12.3.0.3'

Job Message      2020/07/30 14:31:37     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     Oracle Server 'OCDB'

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:57     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     using target database control file instead of recovery catalog

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     RMAN-00571: ===========================================================

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     RMAN-00569: =============== ERROR MESSAGE STACK FOLLOWS ===============

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     RMAN-00571: ===========================================================

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     RMAN-03009: failure of allocate command on c1 channel at 07/30/2020 15:31:58

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     ORA-19554: error allocating device, device type: SBT_TAPE, device name:

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     ORA-27000: skgfqsbi: failed to initialize storage subsystem (SBT) layer

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client     ORA-19511: non RMAN, but media manager or vendor specific failure, error text:

Information        2020/07/30 14:31:58     688               Data Plugin         Oracle_Client        SBT error = 7111, errno = 0, sbtinit: system error

Oracle cannot access to initialize NetVault system trough NetVault orasbt.dll because Oracle user is not part of the local Administrators Group.

Add oracle user to local  administrators Group see URL below:

https://support.quest.com/technical-documents/netvault-plug-in-for-oracle/12.3/user-guide/8#TOPIC-1233521

Note: For the changes to take effect, Oracle Instance Service may need to be restarted. The reason is because the Oracle Instance is running under the credentials before perform the changes. In order for the new Group membership to take effect the Oracle Instance Service may need to be restarted. Oracle Instance Service name is OracleService<ORACLE_SID>:

Note: Restart services during a maintenance window.

The following steps describe how to add the user on Windows Server 2008 R2. For information for your environment, see the applicable system documentation.

1   Click Start > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
2   In the Computer Management window, open System Tools, select Local Users and Groups, and select Users.
3   In the right pane, right-click the Oracle user, and select Properties.
4   In the Properties dialog box, select the Member Of tab, and click Add.
5   Add the local Administrators group, and click OK.
6   Click OK again.

Note: For the changes to take effect, Oracle Instance Service may need to be restarted. The reason is because the Oracle Instance is running under the credentials before perform the changes. In order for the new Group membership to take effect the Oracle Instance Service may need to be restarted. Oracle Instance Service name is OracleService<ORACLE_SID>:

Note: Restart services during a maintenance window.


When this has been done let’s run backup 688 as test and send binary log to me.


Or this way


(a) Control Panel --> (System and Security) --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management --> Local Users and Groups --> Users

Look for the Oracle user (note that the Oracle user was created during installation of Oracle 12.x software, and the name was assigned by the DBA during the installation)

Right-click the Oracle user name, select Properties --> Member Of > ab, and click Add > Add the local Administrators group, and click OK > Click OK again.


Note: For the changes to take effect, Oracle Instance Service may need to be restarted. The reason is because the Oracle Instance is running under the credentials before perform the changes. In order for the new Group membership to take effect the Oracle Instance Service may need to be restarted. Oracle Instance Service name is OracleService<ORACLE_SID>:

Note: Restart services during a maintenance window.