An autoloader allows both larger backups and archived data sets through the use of tape spanning—writing an archive across multiple tapes—and may help automate rotation as well. As long as the autoloader holds enough tapes to maintain two sets of data, they can be used in a scheduled, rotating manner. In this scenario, four or more schedules (two+ pairs) are used:
• Bi-Weekly (1), Monday, Last Backups, Overwrite true: copies weekend master backups to start of tape(s)
• Bi-Weekly (1), other days, Last Backups, Overwrite false: appends weekday differentials to tape(s)
• Bi-Weekly (2), Monday, Last Backups, Overwrite true: copies weekend master backups to start of tape(s)
• Bi-Weekly (2), other days, Last Backups, Overwrite false: appends weekday differentials to tape(s)
This set of schedules starts on a certain week and points to a certain set of slots, with the other set starting on another week and pointing to a different set of slots. (This can be extended to as many sets that fit in the autoloader.) If scheduled in this manner, you never have to touch the tapes unless they are to be taken off-site or stored securely. See To configure an autoloader for more information.