Erase 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.
A single volume is selected to erase.

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

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

Note:

NetBackup does not support erase functions on NDMP drives.

The following table describes the types of erase.

Table: Types of erase

Type of erase	Description
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 2 hours to 3 hours. For example, it takes about 45 minutes to erase a 4-mm tape on a standalone drive.
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

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 2 hours to 3 hours. For example, it takes about 45 minutes to erase a 4-mm tape on a standalone drive.

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.

To erase a volume

If a volume contains valid NetBackup images, deassign the volume so NetBackup can label it.
Open the NetBackup web UI.
On the left, select Storage > Tape storage.
Select the Volumes tab.
Select a volume that you want to erase.
Select Quick erase or Long erase.
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 action.
Select Confirm if you are certain you want to start the erase action.
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.

Erase a volume

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