POWERPROTECT DD

VIRTUAL TAPE LIBRARY

IMPLEMENTATION AND
ADMINISTRATION

PARTICIPANT GUIDE

PARTICIPANT GUIDE
Table of Contents

PowerProtect DD VTL Overview .................................................................................. 1

DD VTL Overview ................................................................................................................ 2

VTL Planning .............................................................................................................. 9

VTL System Capacity ........................................................................................................ 10
Backup Software Guidelines .............................................................................................. 13
Fibre Channel Configuration Guidelines............................................................................. 16
Licensing, User Access, and VTL Limits ............................................................................ 19
VTL Access Groups ........................................................................................................... 21
Tape Management ............................................................................................................. 22
NDMP Support ................................................................................................................... 26
IBM i Support ..................................................................................................................... 27

Configuring VTL ....................................................................................................... 29

Creating a VTL ................................................................................................................... 30
Enabling and Disabling DD VTL ......................................................................................... 34
Managing a VTL ................................................................................................................ 36
Reviewing the VTL Configuration ....................................................................................... 37
Managing VTL Access Groups........................................................................................... 39
Managing Tapes and Tape Pools ...................................................................................... 47
NDMP ................................................................................................................................ 65

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 PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

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PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

DD VTL Overview

What is PowerProtect DD VTL Benefits DD VTL Terminology

DD VTL?

DD VTL Description

A Fibre Channel (FC) equipped host

Backup Application

connecting to a Storage Area Network Fibre Channel SAN

FC Switch
(SAN) can communicate with an FC equipped
PowerProtect DD appliance. When properly FC Host

zoned, the host can send its backups using the

VTL 1
FC protocol directly to the appliance.
VTL 2

Physical VTL-Enabled PowerProtect DD

•
Tape Appliance
DD VTL Feature Library

Physical Tapes/Pools Virtual Tapes/Pools

− Emulates a physical tape library1

1The PowerProtect DD Virtual Tape Library (DD VTL) feature provides a disk-
based backup system that emulates the use of physical tapes. This feature enables
backup applications to connect to and manage system storage using functionality
almost identical to a physical tape library.

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 PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

− VTL is displayed as a SCSI robotic device (changer).2

− VTL drives are displayed as SCSI tape drives.3
− VTL can be used along side other protocols.4
• Backup applications manage data movement to and from the PowerProtect DD
appliance.5
• DDOS

− Manages replication6

2 A VTL is displayed to the backup software as a SCSI robotic device or changer.

Virtual tape drives are accessible to backup software in the same way as physical
tape drives.

3Once virtual drives are created, they appear to the backup software as SCSI tape
drives.

4The DD VTL feature provides a network interface to the file system. The VTL
protocol can be active along side CIFS, NFS and DD Boost, providing network
access to the file system.

5 PowerProtect DD appliances support backups over the SAN using Fibre Channel.
The backup application on the backup host manages all data movement to and
from the appliance. An FC switch is not needed when a direct connection from the
backup host to the appliance is used.

6When disaster recovery is needed, tape pools can be replicated to a remote

PowerProtect DD appliance using the DD replication feature.

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PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

− Supports retention lock7

DD VTL has been tested with specific backup software and hardware
configurations. For more information, see the appropriate Backup Compatibility
Guide on the Dell EMC Support site.

DD VTL Benefits

• Integrates with an existing Fibre Channel or

tape-based infrastructure8
• Allows simultaneous use of VTL with NAS, NDMP,
and DD Boost9
• Eliminates tape-based storage issues that are
related to physical tape10

7Tapes can be locked using the DD Retention Lock feature to protect data from
modification.

8 DD VTL offers a simple integration, using existing backup policies. DD VTL can
use existing backup policies in a backup system using a strategy of physical tape
libraries.

9 PowerProtect DD appliances simultaneously support data access methods

through VTL over Fibre Channel, Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP)
access over Ethernet, NFS, CIFS, DD Boost. This deployment flexibility means that
users can rapidly adjust to changing enterprise requirements.

10DD VTL eliminates the use of tape and the accompanying tape-related issues for
most restores. Compared to normal tape technology, DD VTL provides resilience in
storage through the benefits of Data Invulnerability Architecture (DIA).

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 PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

• Reduces storage space requirements by using deduplication technology11

• Reduces RTO by eliminating the need for physical tape handling12

DD VTL Terminology

Different tape library products package some components in different ways, and
the names of elements may differ, but the fundamental function is the same.

Slots
Barcode

Changer Cartridge
Access
Port (CAP) Library
Tape

Tape Drive
Tape
Tape Pool Devices Drives Vault

11PowerProtect DD appliances that are configured for VTL reduce storage space
requirements by using deduplication technology.

12Disk-based network storage provides a shorter Recovery Time Objective (RTO)

by eliminating the need for handling, loading, and accessing tapes from a remote
location.

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PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

• Barcode13
• Tape14
• Pool15
• Tape Drive16
• Changer17

13A barcode is a unique ID for a virtual tape. Barcodes are assigned when the user
creates the virtual tape cartridge. A unique ID for a virtual tape that is assigned
when the user creates the virtual tape cartridge.

14 A tape is a cartridge holding magnetic tape that is used to store data long term.
The backup software creates virtual tapes which to act the same as physical tape
media. Tapes are represented in a system as grouped datafiles. Tapes can be
moved between a long-term retention vault to a library. They can also move within
a library across drives, slots, and CAPs. A tape is also called a cartridge.

15 A pool is a collection of tapes that maps to a directory on a file system that is

used to replicate tapes to a destination. Note: Pools in DDOS are not the same as
backup software pools. Most backup software, including Dell EMC NetWorker, has
its own pooling mechanism.

16 A tape drive is the device that records backed-up data to a tape cartridge. In the
virtual tape world, this drive still uses the same Linear Tape-Open (LTO)
technology standards as physical tape drives. Depending on the multiplex setting of
the backup application, each drive operates as a device that can support one or
more data streams.

17A changer (Tape Backup Medium Changer) is the device that handles the tape
between a tape library and the tape drive. In the virtual tape world, the system
creates an emulation of a specific type of changer.

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 PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

• Cartridge Access Port18

• Slot19
• Library20
• Tape Vault21

Although no tapes are physically moved, the virtual tape backup medium changer
must emulate the messages that your backup software expects when tapes are
moved. Selecting and using the incorrect changer model in your configuration
causes the system to send incorrect messages to the backup software. These
incorrect messages can cause the VTL system to fail.

18 A cartridge access port (CAP) enables the user to deposit and withdraw tape
cartridges (volumes) in an autochanger without opening its door. In a VTL, a CAP
is the emulated tape enter and eject point for moving tapes to or from a library. The
CAP is also called a mail slot.

19 A slot is a storage location within a library. For example, a tape library has one
slot for each tape that the library can hold.

20A library is a collection of magnetic tape cartridges that are used for long-term
data backup. A VTL emulates a physical tape library with tape drives, changer,
CAPs, and slots (cartridge slots). A library is also called an autoloader, tape silo,
tape mount, or tape jukebox.

21A tape vault is a holding place for tapes not in any library. Tapes in the vault
eventually have to be moved into the tape library before they can be used.

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PowerProtect DD VTL Overview

• Initiator22
• Access Group23

22An initiator is the device that starts a SCSI session and sends SCSI commands.
The initiator is usually a backup server. On the PowerProtect DD appliance, you
must identify the initiators that are permitted to control the system through SCSI
commands. The PowerProtect DD appliance needs the WWPN to determine which
Fibre Channel traffic is from an authorized initiator. When you identify the initiator,
you can also provide a name, or alias, that maps to the initiators WWPN. The name
makes it easier to manage the initiator through the DDOS user interface.

23 An access Group, or VTL Group, is a collection of initiators and the drives and
changers they can access. An access group may contain multiple initiators, but an
initiator can exist in only one access group.

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 VTL Planning

VTL Planning

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VTL Planning

VTL System Capacity

• DDOS limits the number of tapes,

drives, libraries (VTLs), slots, cartridge
access ports (CAPs), block size, read, and
write streams.
• The following information provides capacities
for the various features in a DD VTL
configuration:
− DD VTL is scalable and should accommodate most configurations.
− Your backup host may not support these limits.24
• Create only as many tapes and slots as needed.25

For further information about the definitions and capacities of specific systems,
consult the DDOS System Administration Guide and the VTL Best Practices Guide.
Both are available through the Dell EMC Support Portal.

24 See your backup host software support for correct sizing to fit your software.

25 Standard practices suggest creating only as many tape cartridges as required to

satisfy backup requirements and enough slots to hold the number of tapes you
create. Creating more slots is not a problem. The key in good capacity planning is
to not be excessive beyond the system requirements and add capacity as needed.

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 VTL Planning

Tape Drive Limits

Number of CPU RAM (in GB) NVRAM (in GB) Maximum

Cores number of
supported drives

Fewer than 32 4 or less N/A 64

More than 4, up N/A 128

to 38

More than 38, up N/A 256

to 128

More than 128 N/A 540

32–39 Up to 128 Less than 4 270

Up to 128 4 or more 540

More than 128 N/A 540

40–59 N/A N/A 540

60 or more N/A N/A 1080

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VTL Planning

DD VTL Capacity

In setting up a Virtual Tape Library (VTL) on a PowerProtect DD appliance, you

must be aware of the capacity of the system. The configuration of the VTL depends
on the tape drive technology, and changer model you are emulating. The
processing power and storage capacity of the appliance that is used to provide the
VTL dictate the efficiencies. Larger, faster systems support more streams to write
to a higher number of virtual tape drives, thus providing faster virtual tape backups.
For specific stream and drive limits, look in the DDOS System Administration
Guide.

Item Max Capacity

I/O (Block) Size 1 MB

Libraries (VTLs) 64 concurrently active library instances per system

Slots 32,000 per library

64,000 per system

CAPs 100 per library

1,000 per system

Tape Size Can be configured to 4,000 GiB per tape.

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 VTL Planning

Backup Software Guidelines

Ensure that you understand the requirements

and capabilities of the backup software.
• 64-KiB minimum record (block) size26
• Verify supported changers and tape drives
• Disable multiplexing
• Use multiple data streams: Each stream from
initiator to separate tape drive27

26Dell Technologies strongly recommends that backup software is set to use a

minimum record (block) size of 64 KiB or larger. Larger sizes usually give faster
performance and better data compression.

Depending on your backup application, if you change the size after the initial
configuration, data that is written with the original size might become unreadable.

27 To increase throughput efficiency and maintain deduplication-friendly data,

establish multiple data streams from your client system to the PowerProtect DD
appliance. Each stream requires writing to a separate virtual drive. See the DDOS
Administration Guide for specific information about the number of data streams
allowed for each model.

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VTL Planning

Supported Changers and Tape Drives

Verify that the backup software can support the

changers and drives that the PowerProtect DD
appliance emulates.

To work with drives, you must use the tape and

library drivers that are supplied by your backup
software vendor that support the IBM LTO-1, IBM
LTO-2, IBM LTO-3, IBM LTO-4, IBM LTO-5, IBM
LTO-7 (default), HP-LTO-3, or HP-LTO-4 drives
and the StorageTek L180 (default), RESTORER-L180, IBM TS3500, I2000, I6000,
or DDVTL libraries. For more information, see the Application Compatibility
Matrices and Integration Guides for your vendors. When configuring drives, keep in
mind the limits on backup data streams. See the DDOS Administration Guide for
the number of streams supported by different PowerProtect DD models.

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 VTL Planning

Multiplexing

In a physical tape library setting, multiplexing is a method to gain efficiency by

sending data from multiple clients to a single tape drive. Multiplexing is the sending
of data from multiple clients, interleaving the data onto a single tape drive
simultaneously.

Multiplexing is not
Client recommended

Client Server
VTL Enabled PowerProtect DD
Appliance

Client

Multiplexing was useful for clients with slow throughput since a single client could
not send data fast enough to keep the tape drive busy.

With PowerProtect DD VTL, multiplexing causes existing data to land on a

PowerProtect DD appliance in a different order each time a backup is performed.
Multiplexing makes it difficult for a system to recognize repeated segments, thus
making deduplication less efficient. It is not recommended to enable multiplexing
on your backup host software when writing to a PowerProtect DD appliance.

If you are using NetWorker with DD VTL, you should take the following steps to
mitigate any data compression loss:
• Set the NetWorker tape block size on the Media Server to 256 KB. This value is
safe for all operating systems and drivers.
• To avoid low deduplication rates due to multiplexing of multiple backup streams,
Dell Technologies recommends setting NetWorker device properties "target
sessions" and "maximum sessions" to 1. For further options on multiplexed
backups to DD VTL, see the NetWorker documentation.

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VTL Planning

Fibre Channel Configuration Guidelines

HBA and Port Guidelines Establishing Fibre Channel Zones

FC Switch

Initiator

VTL 1

VTL 2

VTL-Enabled PowerProtect DD Appliance

VTL Zone

HBA and Port Guidelines

Make all Fibre Channel connections to a PowerProtect DD

appliance through a Fibre Channel switch or by direct attachment
to an initiator.

To verify that the initiator FC HBA hardware and driver are

supported, see the DDOS Backup Compatibility Guide.

Upgrade initiator HBA to the latest supported version of firmware and software.

Dedicate the initiator Fibre Channel port to PowerProtect DD VTL devices.

Verify the speed of each FC port on the switch to confirm that the port is configured
for the required rate.

Consider spreading the backup load across multiple FC ports and switches to avoid
bottlenecks on a single port and provide increased resiliency.

The DD VTL service requires an installed FC interface card or VTL configured to

use NDMP over Ethernet.

If the VTL communication between a backup server and the PowerProtect DD

appliance is through an FC interface, the PowerProtect DD appliance must have an
FC interface card installed. Whenever an FC interface card is removed from (or
changed within) the appliance, any VTL configuration that is associated with that
card may need to be updated.

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 VTL Planning

If the VTL communication between the backup server and the PowerProtect DD
appliance is through NDMP, no FC interface card is required. However, you must
configure the tape server access group.

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VTL Planning

Establishing Fibre Channel Zones

FC Switch

Initiator

VTL 1

VTL 2

VTL-Enabled PowerProtect DD
Appliance

VTL Zone

When you establish fabric zones through FC switches, the best way to avoid
problems with VTL configurations is to include only one initiator and one target port
in one zone.

Avoid having any other targets or initiators in any zones that contain a gateway
target FC port.

Only initiators that communicate with a particular set of VTL target ports should be
zoned with that PowerProtect DD appliance.

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 VTL Planning

Licensing, User Access, and VTL Limits

PowerProtect DD VTL is a licensed feature28.

Ensure to plan which users have access to the DD

VTL features and plan to give them the appropriate
Slots access to the system29.

The number of CPU cores and the amount of

memory on the system determine the number of
drives that are supported in a VTL.

Slot counts30 are typically based on the number of

Tape Drives tapes that are used over a retention policy cycle.

See the current DDOS Administration Guide, available from the Dell EMC Support
site, for details.

28Adding a DD VTL license through the DD System Manager automatically

disables and enables the DD VTL feature.

29An admin login is required to enable and configure VTL services, and perform
other configuration tasks. For basic tape operations a backup-operator login is
required. For basic monitoring a user login is required.

30DD VTL supports a maximum of 32,000 slots per library and 64,000 slots per DD
system. The system automatically adds slots to keep the number of slots equal to,
or greater than, the number of drives.

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VTL Planning

Number of Drives Supported by a DD VTL

Depending on the configuration of your particular PowerProtect DD appliance, the

overall number of drives that are assigned to a VTL may need adjustment.

Number of CPU RAM (in GB) NVRAM (in GB) Maximum

Cores number of
supported drives

Fewer than 32 4 or less N/A 64

More than 4, up N/A 128

to 38

More than 38, up N/A 256

to 128

More than 128 N/A 540

32–39 Up to 128 Less than 4 270

Up to 128 4 or more 540

More than 128 N/A 540

40–59 N/A N/A 540

60 or more N/A N/A 1080

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 VTL Planning

VTL Access Groups

Access groups31 hold a collection of initiator WWPNs

(worldwide port names) or aliases and the drives, and
changers they are permitted to access.

Access group configuration enables initiators (in general

backup applications) to read and write data to devices in the
same access group.

A preconfigured VTL access group32 lets you add devices that support NDMP-
based backup applications.

Avoid making access group changes on a PowerProtect DD appliance during

active backup or restore jobs33.

31An access group may contain multiple initiators, but an initiator can exist in only
one access group.

32 The preconfigured VTL access group is named "TapeServer."

33A change may cause an active job to fail. The impact of changes during active
jobs depends on a combination of backup software and host configurations.

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VTL Planning

Tape Management

Choosing the optimal size of tapes depends on Unexpired

and active
multiple factors, including the specific backup data pointers

application being used and the characteristics of

the data being backed up. In general, it is better
to use a larger number of smaller capacity tapes Expired backups still claiming disk segments
until all of the files on the tape expire
than a smaller number of large capacity tapes to
control disk usage.

• When choosing a tape size34: All data segments identified as part of the VTL
tape are treated as a complete set of data. File

− Use larger tapes for large single system cleaning cannot run on a tape until all

datafiles35.
− Use smaller tapes for smaller datasets36.
• Target multiple drives to write multiple streams.
• Set retention periods to no more than are required.

34Larger capacity tapes pose a risk to system full conditions. It is more difficult to
expire and reclaim the space on data being held on a larger tape than on smaller
tapes. A larger tape can have more backups on it, making it potentially harder to
expire because it might contain a current backup.

35If the data you are backing up is large, you may want larger-sized tapes since
some backup applications are not able to span across multiple tapes.

36Using smaller tapes across many drives gives the system greater throughput by
using more data streams between the backup host and the PowerProtect DD
appliance.

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 VTL Planning

• Expire and relabel tapes37 to reclaim and reuse space38.

• Make initial tape count39 2x available space.
• Too many tapes can cause premature system full condition.
• The administrator must provide the starting barcode when creating tapes.
• Consider the backup application being used40.

37 All backups on a tape must be expired, by policy or manually, before the space in
the cartridge can be relabeled and made available for reuse. If backups with
different retention policies exist on a single piece of media, the youngest image
prevents file system cleaning and reuse of the tape. You can avoid this condition by
initially creating and using smaller tape cartridges.

38 Expired tapes are not deleted and the space that is used by that tape is not
reclaimed until it is relabeled, overwritten, or deleted. Consider a situation in which
30% of your data is being held on a 1TB tape. You could delete half of that data,
and still not be able to reclaim any of the space because the tape is still holding
unexpired data. Backing up smaller files to larger-sized tapes contributes to this
issue by taking longer to fill a cartridge with data. Using a larger number of smaller-
sized tapes can reduce the chances of a few young files preventing cleaning older
data on a larger tape.

39When deciding how many tapes to create for your VTL configuration, remember,
that creating more tapes than you need might cause the system to fill up
prematurely. Usually, backup software uses blank tapes before recycling tapes. It is
a good idea to start with a tape count less than twice the available space on the
PowerProtect DD appliance.

40For instance, Hewlett Packard Data Protector supports only LTO-1/200-GB

capacity tapes.

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VTL Planning

Barcode Definitions

When a tape is created, a logical, eight-character barcode is assigned that is a

unique identifier of a tape. The barcode must start with six numeric or uppercase
alphabetic characters (from the set {0-9, A-Z}).

A good practice is to use either two or three of the first characters as the identifier
of the group or pool in which the tapes belong. If you use two characters as the
identifier41, you can and then use four numbers in sequence to number up to
10,000 tapes. If you use three characters42, you can sequence only 1,000 tapes.

The barcode ends with a two-character tag for the supported tape types.

If you specify the tape capacity when you create a tape through
the PowerProtect DD System Manager, you override the two-
character tag capacity specification.

41 For example, AA0000.

42 For example, AAA000.

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 VTL Planning

Tape Codes and Capacities for Supported Tape Types

Tape Type Default Capacity (unless noted) Tape Code

LTO-1 100 GiB L1

LTO-1 50 GiB LA43

LTO-1 30 GiB LB

LTO-1 10 GiB LC

LTO-2 200 GiB L2

LTO-3 400 GiB L3

LTO-4 800 GiB L4

LTO-5 1.5 TiB L5

LTO-7 6 TiB L7

43For Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM), use the L2 tape code if the LA code is
ignored.

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VTL Planning

NDMP Support

PowerProtect DD system configured with

NAS runs NDMP Server configured with
NDMP tape server receives backup data
client software Ethernet NIC
and places it into virtual tapes
NAS

VTL 1

Backup data is sent over VTL 2

Ethernet using TCP/IP
VTL-Enabled
Clients Server PowerProtect DD
Appliance

Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) is an open-standard protocol for

enterprise-wide backup of heterogeneous network-attached storage.

PowerProtect DD appliances support backups using NDMP over TCP/IP over

Ethernet as an alternate method of access when Fibre Channel (FC) connections
are not feasible.

Backup servers that are configured only with Ethernet can back up to a
PowerProtect DD VTL when used with an NDMP tape server44.

When a backup is initiated, the host tells the server to send its backup data45 to the
VTL tape server.

44 The backup host must be running NDMP client software to route the server data
to the related tape server on the PowerProtect DD appliance.

45 Data is sent over TCP/IP to the PowerProtect DD appliance where it is captured

to virtual tape and stored.

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 VTL Planning

IBM i Support

All peripheral equipment must emulate IBM

FC Switch
equipment, including IBM tape libraries and
devices, when presented to the operating
Workstati system.
on

A different PowerProtect DD VTL license

that supports IBM i use is required46.
VTL and I/OS-Enabled
IBM Power PowerProtect DD
System Appliance The hardware drivers these systems use
are embedded in the Licensed Internal
Code (LIC)47 and IBM i operating system.

IBM i virtual libraries are not managed any differently from other operating systems.

DD VTL supports one type of library configuration48 for IBM i use.

46 This license supports other VTL configurations as well, but the standard DD VTL
license does not directly support IBM i configurations. Add the i/OS license to the
PowerProtect DD appliance before creating a VTL to have the correct IBM i
configuration.

47 IBM uses LIC Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs) as the method of updating and
activating the drivers that are used. Usually, hardware configuration settings cannot
be manually configured, as only IBM, or equipment that emulates IBM equipment is
attached, requiring only fixed configuration settings.

48 The library configuration that is supported is an IBM TS3500 configured with IBM
LT0-3, LTO-4, or LTO-5 virtual tape drives. Virtual library management is done
from the Virtual Tape Libraries tab. From Virtual Tape Libraries > More Tasks >
Library > Create, you can set the number of virtual drives and the number of slots.

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VTL Planning

Fibre Channel devices can be connected directly to host (direct attach) through
arbitrated loop (FC-AL) topology or through a switched fabric (FC-SW) topology49.

See the Virtual Tape Library for IBM System i Integration Guide, available on the
Dell EMC Support page, for current configuration instructions when using VTL in an
IBM i environment.

49Direct Connect is not supported on Power5 hardware, Virtual I/O Server, and
5761/5704 IOAs. The Fibre Channel host bus adapters, or IOAs, can negotiate at
speeds of 2 Gbps to 16 Gbps in an FC-SW environment without any configuration
on the operating system. An IBM business partner installs Fibre Channel IOPs and
IOAs.

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 Configuring VTL

Configuring VTL

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Configuring VTL

Creating a VTL

Provide
Slots quantity (1-
32,000

Provide
quantity (0-
Cartridge Access
100
Port (CAP)

Changer
Provide
model and
Identify model - Only quantity (64 -
one changer in VTL 1,080
Tape Drives

The VTL consists of four specific virtual objects50.

When you create the VTL, you can only have one changer, and you must identify
the model of the changer.

The number of slots51 your VTL contains must be provided.

50 They are the changer, slots, cartridge access ports (CAPs), and tape drives.

51 You can specify a quantity from 1 and 32,000.

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 Configuring VTL

CAPs must be assigned52 to the VTL.

The quantity and model of the tape drives53 must be provided in the VTL.

Even though the VTL uses the tapes, they are not an integral part of the VTL54.

A VTL can be created using the DD System Manager (DDSM) or the command-line
interface (CLI).

52 The number of CAPs assigned to a VTL can range from 0 to 100.

53The number of tape drives can range from 64 to up to 1,080 depending on the
PowerProtect DD model used.

54 The same is true for tape pools.

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Configuring VTL

Creating a VTL Using DDSM

Create a VTL by following these steps:

1. Go to Data Management > DD VTL, and then expand the Virtual Tape
Libraries menu.
2. Expand the VTL Service menu item.
3. Next, select the Libraries item. The contents of the More Tasks menu is
dependent upon the item that is selected in the menu, so the correct item must
be selected.
4. Select More Tasks > Library > Create. The Create Library dialog box is
displayed.
5. Enter the values appropriate for your application. If the VTL is properly planned,
you should know the values to enter.
6. To start the Create Library process, select OK.
7. Select OK after the library creation process completes.

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Creating a VTL Using the CLI

With an admin or limited-admin role, you can create a VTL using the following
commands:
• vtl add vtl [model model] [slots num-slots] [caps num-caps]
- Add a tape library.
• vtl drive add vtl [count num-drives] [model model] - Add
drives to a VTL.
• vtl show config [vtl] - Show the library name and model and tape drive
model for a single VTL or all VTLs. This command is also available to users with
the security, user, backup-operator, and none roles, in addition to the admin
and limited-admin roles.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the commands listed on this page.

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Configuring VTL

Enabling and Disabling DD VTL

Click to enable
the DD VTL
service.

If the DD VTL
service is enabled,
click to disable the
service.

DD VTL controls the operation of the Virtual Tape Library. It must be licensed and
enabled to use DD VTL.

DD VTL provides the environment for virtual devices to exist. You may think of it as
a virtual data center.

To enable DD VTL through the DD System Manager, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Protocols > DD VTL, and then expand the Virtual Tape Libraries
section.
2. Select the DD VTL Service item. The state of the VTL service, and VTL
licenses are displayed. The state of the service is not seen unless the VTL
Service item is selected.
3. Verify that the DD VTL license has been installed. If the license has not been
installed, select the Update License hyperlink and install the VTL license.
4. If the VTL is in an IBM environment, verify that an I/OS license has also been
installed. This license must be installed before any VTLs or tape drives are
created.
5. After all required licenses have been installed, select Enable to Enable DD
VTL. The status should show as Enabled: Running and the Enable button
changes to Disable. Select Disable to disable DD VTL.

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VTL can also be enabled and disabled using the command-line interface.

Enabling and Disabling DD VTL Using the CLI

With an admin or limited-admin role, you can enable and disable VTL using the
following commands:
• vtl enable - Enable the DD VTL subsystem. Before DD VTL can be enabled:

− You must have at least one Fibre Channel (FC) interface card that is
installed on your PowerProtect DD appliance. VTL communicates between a
backup server and a PowerProtect DD appliance through an FC interface.
− You must have previously enabled the file system and scsitarget features.
− You must have set the record (block) size for the backup software on the
application host; the minimum is 64 KiB or larger.
Changing the block size after the initial configuration may render unreadable
any data that was written in the original size.
• vtl disable - Close all libraries and shut down the DD VTL subsystem.
• vtl status - Show the status of DD VTL.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the commands listed here.

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Configuring VTL

Managing a VTL

Manage VTLs and associated devices.

Manage access groups.

View resources configured through Hardware > Fibre Channel.

Manage tape pools.

To enable or disable PowerProtect DD VTL with the DD System Manager, Go to

the Protocols > DD VTL pane.

The DD VTL pane is subdivided into sections: DD Virtual Tape Libraries, Access
Groups, Resources, and Pools.
• The options under the DD Virtual Tape Libraries section enable you to
manage the VTLs and their associated devices.
• The options under the Access Groups section enable you to define the devices
that an individual initiator can access.
• The Resources section enables you to view the configuration of endpoints and
initiators. To configure these devices, you must go to the Hardware > Fibre
Channel menu.
• The Pools section displays information for the default pool and any other
existing pools.

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Reviewing the VTL Configuration

Provides summary information relating to all VTLs.

Provides summary information relating to the selected VTL.

Provides summary information relating to the changer.

Provides summary information relating to the drives.

The DD System Manager enables you to review the configuration of the VTL and
its components. The Protocols > DD VTL page provides details about the VTL
contents.

Select the DD Virtual Tape Libraries > VTL Service > Libraries menu item to
view summary information relating to all VTLs.

Select the DD Virtual Tape Libraries > VTL Service > Libraries > {library-name}
menu item to view summary information about the selected VTL55.

55The number and disposition of tapes in the VTL is also shown. If no tapes are
associated with the VTL, there is nothing in the Tapes section.

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Configuring VTL

Selecting the Changer item in a VTL provides detailed related information56.

Selecting the Drives item in a VTL provides detailed related information for all
drives57.

56 Including the vendor, product ID, revision number, and serial number of the
changer. These are all attributes that you would expect to find with a physical tape
drive.

57Including the drive number, vendor, product ID, revision number, serial number,
and status. If a tape is in the drive, the barcode is displayed along with the name of
the tape pool to which the tape belongs.

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 Configuring VTL

Managing VTL Access Groups

Creating VTL Access Reviewing VTL Access Deleting VTL Access

Groups Groups Groups

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Configuring VTL

Creating VTL Access Groups

Create a VTL access group in the DD System Manager, by following these steps:
1. Select Access Groups > Groups.
2. Select More Tasks > Group > Create.
3. In the Create Access Group dialog, enter a name, from 1 to 128 characters,
and select Next.
4. Add devices, and select Next.
5. Review the summary, and select Finish or Back, as appropriate.

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Reviewing VTL Access Groups

Review the configuration of the Fibre Channel Access Groups

1. Select the Hardware > Fibre Channel > Access Groups tab.
2. The Access Groups tab contains summary information about any DD Boost
Access Groups and VTL access groups. The information includes the name of
the group, the type of service, the endpoint associated with the group, the
names of the initiators in the group, and the number of devices in the group.
Note the groups that contain initiators and devices.
3. The total number of groups that are configured on the system is shown at the
bottom of this section.
4. Select the View DD VTL Groups hyperlink to go to the DD System Manager
Protocol > DD VTL page where there is more information and configuration
tools.

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Configuring VTL

Review the LUNs in an access group

1. You can select the View VTL Groups hyperlink on the Hardware > Fibre
Channel > Access Groups tab. You can also go to Protocols > DD VTL page
directly.
2. Select the Access Group menu item. To expand the list, click the plus sign (+)
and select an access group from the Access Groups list.
3. Select the LUNs tab.
4. Review a summary of the various LUNs in the selected access group.

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Review the Initiators in an access group

1. You can select the View DD VTL Groups hyperlink on the Hardware > Fibre
Channel > Access Groups tab. Or you can go to Protocols > DD VTL page
directly.
2. Select the Access Group menu item. To expand the list, click the plus sign (+)
next to the Groups item.
3. Select an access group from the Groups list.
4. Select the Initiators tab.
5. Review a summary of any initiators in the selected access group.

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Configuring VTL

Deleting VTL Access Groups

To delete a VTL Access Group, you must first ensure that the access group is
empty and contains no initiators or devices. Use the configure (modify) process to
delete these objects from an access group.
1. Select Protocols > VTL > Access Groups > Groups > group.
2. Select More Tasks > Group > Configure.
3. In the Modify Access Group dialog, enter or modify the Group Name.
4. To configure initiators to the access group, check the box next to the initiator.
You can add initiators to the group later.
5. Select Next.
6. Select a device, and select the edit (pencil) icon to display the Modify Devices
dialog. Then, follow steps a-e. If you simply want to
delete the device, select the delete (X) icon, and skip to step e.

a. Verify that the correct library is selected in the Library drop-down list, or
select another library.
b. In the Devices to Modify area, select the checkboxes of the devices
(Changer and drives) to be modified.
c. Optionally, modify the starting LUN (logical unit number) in the LUN Start
Address box.

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This is the LUN that the PowerProtect DD appliance returns to the initiator.
Each device is uniquely identified by the library and the device name. (For
example, it is possible to have drive 1 in Library 1 and drive 1 in Library 2).
Therefore, a LUN is associated with a device, which is identified by its library
and device name.
The initiators in the access group interact with the LUN devices that are
added to the group.
The maximum LUN accepted when creating an access group is 16,383.
A LUN can be used only once for an individual group. The same LUN can be
used with multiple groups.
Some initiators (clients) have specific rules for target LUN numbering; for
example, requiring LUN 0 or requiring contiguous LUNs. If these rules are
not followed, an initiator may not be able to access some or all of the LUNs
assigned to a DD VTL target port.
Check your initiator documentation for special rules, and if necessary, alter
the device LUNs on the DD VTL target port to follow the rules. For example,
if an initiator requires LUN 0 to be assigned on the DD VTL target port,
check the LUNs for devices assigned to ports, and if there is no device
assigned to LUN 0, change the LUN of a device so it is assigned to LUN 0.
d. In the Primary and Secondary Ports area, change the option that determines
the ports from which the selected device is seen. The following conditions
apply for designated ports:
i. all – The checked device is seen from all ports.
ii. none – The checked device is not seen from any port.
iii. select – The checked device is seen from selected ports. Select the
checkboxes of the ports from which it will be seen.
If only primary ports are selected, the checked device is visible only from
primary ports.
If only secondary ports are selected, the checked device is visible only
from secondary ports. Secondary ports can be used ifprimary ports
become unavailable.
The switchover to a secondary port is not an automatic operation. You must
manually switch the DD VTL device to the secondary ports if the primary
ports become unavailable.

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Configuring VTL

The port list is a list of physical port numbers. A port number denotes the
PCI slot, and a letter denotes the port on a PCI card. Examples are 1a, 1b,
or 2a, 2b.
A drive appears with the same LUN on all ports that you have configured.
e. Select OK.

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 Configuring VTL

Managing Tapes and Tape Pools

The PowerProtect DD system provides the tools that you would expect to manage
tapes. They include the ability to create and delete tapes. The VTL service also
provides the ability to import and export tapes from and to the vault. If needed, you
can move tapes within the VTL between the slots, drives, and CAPs. You can
search for specific tapes using various criteria, such as location, pool, or barcode to
search for a tape.

Tape Management
• Create
• Delete
• Import
• Export
Tapes
• Move
• Search
• Review

Tape Pools Tape Pool Management

• Create
• Delete
• Rename

When you create a tape pool, either an MTree is

created under /data/col1 or a directory is
created under /data/col1/backup.

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Configuring VTL

Create Tapes

To create tapes, follow this process using the DD System Manager:

1. Go to Data Management > DD VTL, and expand the Virtual Tape Libraries
menu and select the VTL to hold the tapes. The tapes are directly added to the
VTL when the VTL is selected first.
2. Now, select More Tasks > Tapes > Create to open the Create Tapes dialog
box.
3. Provide the information about the tapes you are creating. This information was
determined during your implementation planning. You may select the Default
tape pool or a pool that you have created to hold the tapes.
4. Select OK when you are ready to create the tapes.
5. Select OK when the tape creation process is complete. You can now verify if
the tapes have been successfully created.

You can also create tapes using the command-line interface (CLI).

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Creating Tapes Using the CLI

With an admin or limited-admin role, you can create tapes using the following
command:
• vtl tape add barcode [capacity capacity] [count count]
[pool <pool>] - Add one or more virtual tapes and insert them into the vault.
Optionally, add the tapes to the specified pool.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
Support site, for specific parameters for the vtl tape add command.

Delete Tapes

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Configuring VTL

You can delete tapes from either a library or a pool. If initiated from a library, the
system first exports the tapes, then deletes them. The tapes must be in the vault,
not in a library. On a Replication destination system, deleting a tape is not
permitted.

1. Select Virtual Tape Libraries > DD VTL Service > Libraries > library or
Vault.
2. Select More Tasks > Tapes > Delete.
3. In the Delete Tapes dialog, enter search information about the tapes to delete,
and select Search.
4. Select the checkbox of the tape that should be deleted or the checkbox on the
heading column to delete all tapes, and select Next.
5. Select Submit in the confirmation window, and select Close.

After a tape is removed, the disk space that is used for the tape is
not reclaimed until after a file system cleaning operation.

You can also delete tapes using the command line interface.

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Delete Tapes Using the CLI

You can also delete tapes using the following command:

• vtl tape del barcode [count count] [pool pool] - Delete the
specified tape or one or more tapes. Note: You cannot delete tapes that are in a
VTL.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl tape del command.

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Configuring VTL

Import Tapes

When tapes are created, they can be added directly to a VTL or to the vault. From
the vault, tapes can be imported, exported, moved, searched, and removed.
Importing moves existing tapes from the vault to a library slot, drive, or CAP. The
number empty slots in the library limit the number of tapes you can import at one
time.

To import tapes, follow this process using the DD System Manager:

1. Select Data Management > DD VTL > DD VTL Service > Libraries.
2. Select a library and view the list of tapes, or click More Tasks.
3. Select Tapes > Import.
4. Enter the search criteria about the tapes you want to import and click Search.
5. Select the tapes to import from the search results.
6. Choose the target location for the tapes.
7. Select Next to begin the import.

Tapes can also be imported using the command-line interface (CLI).

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Import Tapes Using the CLI

With an admin or limited-admin role, you can import tapes using the following
command:
• vtl import vtl barcode barcode [count count] [pool pool]
[element {drive | cap | slot}] [address addr] - This command is
used to move tapes from the vault into a slot, drive, or CAP.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl import command.

Export Tapes

Exporting a tape removes that tape from a slot, drive, or cartridge-access port
(CAP) and sends it to the vault.

1. You can export tapes using either step a. or step b.

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Configuring VTL

a. Select Virtual Tape Libraries > DD VTL Service > Libraries > library.
Then, select More Tasks > Tapes > Export. In the Export Tapes dialog,
enter search information about the tapes to export, and select Search.
b. Select Virtual Tape Libraries > VTL Service > Libraries > library >
Changer > Drives > drive > Tapes. Select tapes to export by selecting
the checkbox next to:
• An individual tape, or
• The Barcode column to select all tapes on the current page, or
• The Select all pages checkbox to select all tapes returned by the search
query.
Only tapes with a library name in the Location column can be exported.
Select Next.
2. Select Submit.
3. Select Close in the status window.

You can also export tapes using the command line interface.

Export Tapes Using the CLI

With an admin or limited-admin role, you can also export tapes using the following
command:
• vtl export vtl {slot | drive | cap} address [count count] -
Remove tapes from a slot, drive, or cartridge-access port (CAP) and send them
to the vault.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl export command.

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Move Tapes Between Devices

Tapes can be moved between physical devices within a library to mimic backup
software procedures for physical tape libraries (which move a tape in a library from
a slot to a drive, a slot to a CAP, a CAP to a drive, and the reverse). In a physical
tape library, backup software never moves a tape outside the library.

1. Select Virtual Tape Libraries > DD VTL Service > Libraries > library.
When started from a library, the Tapes panel allows tapes to be moved only
between devices.
2. Select More Tasks > Tapes > Move.
3. In the Move Tape dialog, enter search information about the tapes to move,
and select Search.
4. From the search results list, select the tape or tapes to move.
5. Do one of the following:
a. Select the device from the Device list (for example, a slot, drive, or CAP),
and enter a beginning address using sequential numbers for the second and
subsequent tapes. For each tape to be moved, if the specified address is
occupied, the next available address is used.
b. Leave the address blank if the tape in a drive originally came from a slot and
is to be returned to that slot; or if the tape is to be moved to the next
available slot.
6. Select Next.
7. In the Move Tape dialog, verify the summary information and the tape listing,
and select Submit.
8. Select Close in the status window.

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Configuring VTL

Search for Tapes

1. Select DD Virtual Tape Libraries or Pools.

2. Select the area to search (library, vault, pool).
3. Select More Tasks > Tapes > Search.
4. In the Search Tapes dialog, enter information about the tapes you want to find.
• Location58
• Pool59

58 Specify a location, or leave the default (All).

59Select the name of the pool in which to search for the tape. If no pools have been
created, use the Default pool.

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• Barcode60
• Count61
5. Select Search.

60 Specify a unique barcode, or leave the default '*' to return a group of tapes.
Barcode allows the wildcards '?' and '*', where '?' matches any single character and
'*' matches zero or more characters.

61 Enter the maximum number of tapes you want to be returned to you. If you leave
this blank, the barcode default '*' is used.

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Configuring VTL

Review Tapes

Provides detailed information about the

tapes.

Select the Tape menu item associated with the VTL to review the tapes that are
assigned to it. The tapes are in a slot, drive, or CAP.

You can also review tapes using the command line interface.

Review Tapes Using the CLI

You can also review tapes using the following command:

• vtl tape show - Display information about tapes, including modification,
creation, retention, or recalled times.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl tape show command.

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Create a Tape Pool

To create a tape pool using the DD System Manager, follow this process.
1. Go to Data Management > DD VTL, and expand the Pools menu on the left
side of the screen.
2. Select the Pools menu item from the list.
3. Now, select More Tasks > Pool > Create to open the Create Pool dialog box.
4. Provide a name for the Pool. Use a name that identifies the type of data that is
on the tape. For example, you could name the pool EngBkupPool to signify that
it contains tapes relevant to engineering backups.
5. Click the backwards compatibility check box to create the older-style tape
pool under /data/col1/backup. If you do not check this box, the system
creates a newer style tape pool that uses the MTree structure.
6. Select OK when you are ready to create the tape pool.

Tape pools can also be imported using the command-line interface (CLI).

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Configuring VTL

Create Tape Pools Using the CLI

With an admin or limited-admin role, you can create tape pools using the following
command:
• vtl pool add pool - Create a VTL pool.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl pool add command.

Delete Tape Pools

1. Select Pools > Pools > pool.

2. Select More Tasks > Pool > Delete.
3. In the Delete Pools dialog, select the checkbox of items to delete:
• The name of each pool, or

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• Pool Names, to delete all pools.

4. Select Submit in the confirmation dialogs.
5. When the Delete Pool Status dialog shows Completed, select Close. The pool
is removed from the Pools subtree.

Tape pools can also be deleted using the command-line interface (CLI).

Delete Tape Pools Using the CLI

You can also delete tape pools using the following command:
• vtl pool del pool - Delete a VTL pool. You must run vtl tape del to
remove all tapes from a pool, or use vtl tape move to move all tapes to
another pool.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl pool del command.

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Configuring VTL

Rename Tape Pools

A pool can be renamed only if none of its tapes are in a library.

1. Select Pools > Pools > pool.

2. Select More Tasks > Pool > Rename.
3. In the Rename Pool dialog, enter the new Pool Name, with the caveat that this
name:
a. Cannot be "all," "vault," or "summary."
b. Cannot have a space or period at its beginning or end.
c. Is case-sensitive.
4. Select OK to display the Rename Pool status dialog.
5. After the Rename Pool status dialog shows Completed, select OK. The pool is
renamed in the Pools subtree in both the Pools and the Virtual Tape Libraries
areas.

Tape pools can also be renamed using the command-line interface (CLI).

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Rename Tape Pools Using the CLI

You can also rename tape pools using the following command:
• vtl pool rename src-pool dst-pool - Rename a VTL pool. A pool can
be renamed only if none of its tapes is in a library.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
support site, for specific parameters for the vtl pool rename command.

Tape Pools and MTrees

A tape pool is an MTree by default.

When you create a tape pool, either an MTree is created under /data/col1 or a
directory is created under /data/col1/backup.

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You can examine the list of MTrees on the system to view the MTrees associated
with VTL.

When you enable VTL, the Default MTree-based tape pool is created.

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 Configuring VTL

NDMP

PowerProtect DD system configured with

NAS runs NDMP Server configured with
NDMP tape server receives backup data
client software Ethernet NIC
NAS and places it into virtual tapes

VTL 1

Backup data is sent over VTL 2

Ethernet using TCP/IP
VTL-Enabled
Clients Server PowerProtect DD
Appliance

PowerProtect DD appliances support Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP)

to access the VTL.
• NDMP enables VTL access through Ethernet.62
• NDMP does not require or use Fibre Channel.63
• The NDMP service is enabled separately from the VTL service.
• The NDMP service must be configured and managed through the command-
line interface.

62 Without NDMP, VTL access is only through Fibre Channel.

63 NDMP on a PowerProtect DD appliance does not require a Fibre Channel HBA.

If a Fibre Channel HBA is installed, NDMP does not use it.

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• NDMP-enabled software must be installed on the client system for access to the
VTL.
• NDMP clients must log in to the PowerProtect DD appliance using a standard
DDOS user account64 or an NDMP user account65.
• To make DD VTL devices accessible to the NDMP clients, the devices must be
members of the TapeServer access group.

− Only devices in the TapeServer access group are available through NDMP.
− Devices in the TapeServer access group cannot be in other VTL access
groups.
− Initiators cannot be added to the TapeServer access group.
For more information about NDMP, see http://ndmp.org.

NDMP Configuration and Management

• Enable the NDMP daemon using the ndmpd enable command.

• Verify that NDMP daemon sees devices in the TapeServer access group
using the ndmp show devicenames command.
• Add and verify an NDMP user for the ndmpd service using the ndmpd user
add ndmp and ndmpd user show commands.
• Check the options for the ndmpd daemon using the ndmpd option show
all command.

64If a standard DDOS user account is employed, the password is sent over the
network as plain text.

65The NDMP feature on the appliance enables you to add a user for NDMP
access. Password encryption can be added to the NDMP user for added security.

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 Configuring VTL

• Set the ndmpd service authentication to MD5 using the ndmpd option set
authentication md5 command.
• Verify that the service authentication was correctly set using the ndmpd
option show all command.

See the Dell EMC DDOS Command Reference Guide, available on the Dell EMC
Support site, for specific parameters for the commands listed on this page.

PowerProtect DD Virtual Tape Library Implementation and Administration-Participant Guide

© Copyright 2020 Dell Inc. Page 67

 PowerProtect DD Virtual Tape Library Implementation and Administration-Participant Guide

© Copyright 2020 Dell Inc. Page 68