To configure an autoloader

Before configuring an autoloader, you must configure your tape drive. For instructions, see To configure a tape drive.

1        In the Unitrends appliance, select Archive > Settings > Archive Media.

2        Under Configurable Archive Media, click to scan for media. Connected tape drives and autoloaders display.

If the device does not display in the list, make certain the connections are secure, power cycle the device, and then reboot the appliance (Settings > System, Updates, and Licensing > Shutdown).

3        Select the autoloader in the list of configurable devices.

4        Select is_available and set it to True. This allows the autoloader to be used for archiving. Click Confirm.

5        Select available_slots and assign a slot range within the autoloader for the Unitrends system to access. This defines the tapes to which the archives are written. Click Confirm.

6        If desired, configure additional settings. The default settings are recommended but if you wish to alter the settings, see the table below:

Setting

Setting Description

unload_quiesce_time

Determines the number of seconds to wait after an unload command completes, to allow a changer to quiesce and finish the unload operation in case it returns ready before it is actually finished.

switch_tapes_on_io_error

Decides whether or not to switch tapes upon an input/output error from the drive while attempting to write archive data. If True, archiving attempts to use the next tape; if False, the job fails.

max_command_time

Sets the maximum number of seconds to wait for tape commands to complete.

init_cmd

Enter a command(s) necessary to initialize the device.

7        Click Close once all settings are configured. Once a tape drive is associated to the changer, the tape drive and the autoloader display as a single device on the Archive Now or Archive Schedule page. Repeat these steps for all desired autoloaders.

8        Continue with the following applicable procedures:

     If you selected, False in Step 7 of To configure a tape drive, see To prepare archive tapes.

     If you are ready to archive and do not need to prepare archive tapes, see Archiving backups to tape