In Windows NT, saving to tapes with continuation tapes can also be done without operator intervention using an autoloader. To activate the autoloader, specify the medium "a" as "device type" (see the "media editor" in Section Backup / Media Manager).
When reaching the end of tape, the autoloader is addressed which will use the next tape available. The backup will only be successful if the number of tapes is sufficient for it.
The interactive procedure is the same as for saving to a medium without continuation media.
Example of the medium definition:
At the end of the backup, the tape device shows the number of tapes written. The labels displayed and confirmed at the start of the backup (Step 3) should be put down on the stickers of the tapes.
Before backing up, it is strictly recommended to check the write protection of all tapes, because otherwise the backup procedure will be aborted.
After inserting the tape cartridge in the autoloader, the first tape must be selected manually.
Batch Call:
Syntax:
Example:
xbackup -a SAVEDATA -d mydb -m AUTOL_NT
The complete description of the batch calls is included in Section Batch Mode: xbackup / xrestore.
To display the protocol file of the batch call, you can use the Backup / Show Protocol menu function.
Restoring under Windows NT by means of the autoloader is done in the same way as saving. Simply use the same medium definition as for saving and perform the restore operation as if restoring from one medium. To ensure a successful restore, all tapes belonging to the save must have been mounted to the autoloader.
Use the xrestore command as batch call.