diff --git a/docs/tape-backup.rst b/docs/tape-backup.rst index fadbebcd..800bb6d0 100644 --- a/docs/tape-backup.rst +++ b/docs/tape-backup.rst @@ -113,9 +113,12 @@ Terminology :Media Pools: A media pool is a logical container for tapes. A backup job targets one media pool, so a job only uses tapes from that - pool. The pool aditionally defines how long we can append data to a - tape (allocation policy), and how long we want to keep that data - (retention policy). + pool. The pool additionally defines how long a backup job can + append data to tapes (allocation policy) and how long you want to + keep the data (retention policy). + +:Media Set: A group of continuously written tapes (all from the same + media pool). :Tape drive: The decive used to read and write data to the tape. There are standalone drives, but drives often ship within tape libraries. @@ -341,6 +344,58 @@ For testing, you can simply query the drive status with:: Media Pools ~~~~~~~~~~~ +A media pool is a logical container for tapes. A backup job targets +one media pool, so a job only uses tapes from that pool. + +.. topic:: Media Set + + A media set is a group of continuously written tapes, used to split + the larger pool into smaller, restorable units. One or more backup + jobs write to a media set, producing a group of tapes. Media sets + are identified by an unique ID. That ID and the sequence number is + stored on each tape of that set (tape label). + + Media sets are the basic unit for restore tasks, i.e. you need all + tapes in the set to restore the set content. Data is fully + deduplicated inside a media set. + + +.. topic:: Media Set Allocation Policy + + The pool additionally defines how long backup jobs can append data + to a media set (allocation policy). The following settings are possible: + + :continue: Try to use the current media set. + + :always: Each backup job creates a new media set. + + :Calendar Event: Create a new set when the specified CalendarEvent triggers. + + Additionally, the following events may allocate a new media set: + + - Required tape is offline + + - Current set contains damaged of retired tapes. + + +.. topic:: Retention Policy + + Defines how long we want to keep the data. + + +.. NOTE:: FIXME: Add note about global content namespace. (We do not store + the source datastore, so it is impossible to distinguish + store1:/vm/100 from store2:/vm/100. Please use different media + pools if the source is from a different name space) + + +Empty Media Pool +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +It is possible to label tapes with no pool assignment. Such tapes may +be used by any pool. Once used by a pool, media stays in that pool. + + Tape Jobs ~~~~~~~~~