Erasing a volume

You can erase the data on a volume if the following are true:

The volume is not assigned.
The volume contains no valid NetBackup images.

After NetBackup erases the media, NetBackup writes a label on the media.

If you erase media, NetBackup cannot restore or import the data on the media.

If a volume contains valid NetBackup images, deassign the volume so NetBackup can label it.

The following table describes the types of erase.

Table: Types of erase

Type of erase	Description
SCSI long erase	Rewinds the media and the data is overwritten with a known data pattern. A SCSI long erase is also called a secure erase because it erases the recorded data completely. Note: A long erase is a time-consuming operation and can take as long as two hours to three hours. For example, it takes about 45 minutes to erase a 4-mm tape on a standalone drive
SCSI quick erase	Rewinds the media and an erase gap is recorded on the media. The format of this gap is drive dependent. It can be an end-of-data (EOD) mark or a recorded pattern that the drive does not recognize as data. Some drives do not support a quick erase (such as QUANTUM DLT7000). For the drives that do not support a quick erase, the new tape header that is written acts as an application-specific quick erase.

Type of erase

Description

SCSI long erase

Rewinds the media and the data is overwritten with a known data pattern. A SCSI long erase is also called a secure erase because it erases the recorded data completely.

Note:

A long erase is a time-consuming operation and can take as long as two hours to three hours. For example, it takes about 45 minutes to erase a 4-mm tape on a standalone drive

SCSI quick erase

Rewinds the media and an erase gap is recorded on the media. The format of this gap is drive dependent. It can be an end-of-data (EOD) mark or a recorded pattern that the drive does not recognize as data.

Some drives do not support a quick erase (such as QUANTUM DLT7000). For the drives that do not support a quick erase, the new tape header that is written acts as an application-specific quick erase.

Note:

NetBackup does not support erase functions on NDMP drives.

To erase a volume

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Media.
In the right pane, in the Volumes list, select a volume or volumes that you want to erase.
If you select multiple volumes, they must all be in the same robot.
Select either Actions > Quick Erase or Actions > Long Erase.
In the erase dialog box, specify the name of the media server to initiate the erase operation.
To overwrite any existing labels on the media, do not select Verify media label before performing operation.
Click OK.
A dialog box warns you that this action is irreversible.
Click OK if you are certain you want to start the erase action.
A dialog box reminds you to use the Activity Monitor to view the progress and status of the action. (For many types of drives, you may not be able to cancel a label or erase media job from the Activity Monitor.) Click OK.
If you selected Verify media label before performing operation and the actual volume label does not match the expected label, the media is not erased.

More Information

About assigning and deassigning volumes

Erasing a volume

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