Changing Remote Storage Media Type (244078)

SUMMARY

The first time that you click Remote Storage on the Administrative Tools menu after you install the Remote Storage service, the Remote Storage Wizard starts. This wizard prompts for the NTFS volumes that you want Remote Storage to manage and for the tape device (the media type, for example, 4 MM) you want Remote Storage to use when you are offloading migrated files. The media type choices are derived from tape devices that are presently configured in Removable Storage Manager (RSM) when you start the wizard. You can select the media type only by using the wizard, and you cannot run the wizard again after you successfully complete it. If you want to use a different tape device (media type) to which to migrate files at a later time, there is no option in the Remote Storage graphical user interface (GUI) to change this setting.

MORE INFORMATION

You may at some point want to use a new higher-capacity tape device (for example, switching from 4 MM to DAT). Remote Storage supports only a single media type and the Remote Storage snap-in has no way of changing or reconfiguring the media type.

Before you can use a new tape device (media type), you must stop managing all volumes, uninstall Remote Storage, and then reinstall Remote Storage to run the Remote Storage Wizard again, which in turn prompts for the media type again.

NOTE: When you choose to remove a volume from Remote Storage, you have two options:

Maintain copied files in remote storage.
Recall copied files from remote storage.

Because the new media type will not be compatible with the existing tape media, you must choose the second option. This requires enough disk space to recall all the migrated files stored in remote storage. However, because the main reason for using Remote Storage is to extend disk capacity, you may need to recall groups of files (one folder at a time), use a normal backup program to back up recently recalled data, delete the data, and then recall more files. Continue doing this until all of the data is recalled from remote storage.

After all the files are recalled and are no longer being managed by Remote Storage, use the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, or click Install Add-On Components in the dialog box that appears when you insert the Windows 2000 CD-ROM, to remove and reinstall the Remote Storage component. The first time you click Remote Storage on the Administrative Tools menu after you install the Remote Storage service, the Remote Storage Wizard helps you configure your managed volumes and select the new media device.