diff --git a/docs/tape-backup.rst b/docs/tape-backup.rst index 54babf9d..2c8b9eef 100644 --- a/docs/tape-backup.rst +++ b/docs/tape-backup.rst @@ -30,3 +30,61 @@ In general, LTO tapes offer the following advantages: - Cold Media - Movable (storable inside vault) - Multiple vendors (for both media and drives) + + +Supported Hardware +------------------ + +Proxmox Backup Server supports `Linear Tape Open`_ genertion 3 +(LTO3) or later. In general, all SCSI2 tape drives supported by +the Linux kernel should work. + +Tape changer support is done using the Linux 'mtx' command line +tool. So any changer devive supported by that tool work work. + + + +Terminology +----------- + +:Tape Labels: are used to uniquely indentify a tape. You normally use + some sticky paper labels and apply them on the front of the + cartridge. We additionally store the label text magnetically on the + tape (first file on tape). + +.. _Code 39: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_39 + +.. _LTO Ultrium Cartridge Label Specification: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-lto-ultrium-cartridge-label-specification + +:Barcodes: are a special form of tape labels, which are electronically + readable. Most LTO tape robots use an 8 character string encoded as + `Code 39`_, as definded in the `LTO Ultrium Cartridge Label + Specification`_. + + You can either bye such barcode labels from your cartidge vendor, + or print them yourself. + +.. Note:: Physical labels and the associated adhesive shall have an + environmental performance to match or exceed the environmental + specifications of the cartridge to which it is applied. + +: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). + +:Tape drive: The decive used to read and write data to the tape. There + are standalone drives, but drives often ship within tape libraries. + +:Tape changer: A device which can change the tapes inside a tape drive + (tape robot). They are usually part of a tape library. + +.. _Tape Library: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tape_library + +:`Tape library`_: A storage device that contains one or more tape drives, + a number of slots to hold tape cartridges, a barcode reader to + identify tape cartridges and an automated method for loading tapes + (a robot). + + People als call this 'autoloader', 'tape robot' or 'tape jukebox'.