This General User's Guide describes the features and operation of the MEDIA Librarian software. It may be used in conjunction with the Reference Manual and the Operations Guide.

MEDIA is an extensive and flexible library management package, designed to handle all types of tapes and removable disks and to increase the security of your media. VAULT manages information about backup savesets and allows users to locate and restore files owned by them without compromising system security. BCKMGR manages all backup activity, providing a simple yet flexible method of backing up all on-line devices to off-line media.

Together, they form the core of a comprehensive site management package. MEDIA supports any configuration of VAX/VMS computers including single CPUs, clustered systems, and systems connected via DECnet.

Intended audience

This manual is intended to introduce both the novice and intermediate user to the functional capabilities of MEDIA. It is intended as a guide to assist general users in becoming familiar with the MEDIA, VAULT and BCKMGR programs.

Conventions used in this document

The following notational conventions are used:

Convention	Meaning
[filename]	An item enclosed in square brackets is an optional, not a required, item.
MEDIA	System prompts and user responses are displayed in this fixed pitch typeface.
<RETURN>	In many examples, the name of the key appears in angle brackets.
...	Ellipsis in a command specification indicate that the previous item can be repeated.
(D)	This appears next to many qualifiers and other command options. It indicates that this is the DEFAULT value or option.

User specification conventions

There are three levels of user that can be specified when working with MEDIA. The three levels are:

• GENERAL USER - The general user is any user who is interested in using the system, without necessarily understanding it's internal dynamics or operations. Most users fall into this category.
• MEDIA OPERATOR - The Media operator or OPERATOR as it is referred to throughout this manual set, is a person assigned the responsibility of responding to system requests to load and unload media. The MEDIA OPERATOR has been granted the OPER or media operator privilege using the VMS Authorize command. There is usually at least one OPERATOR per system.
• MEDIA MANAGER - The Media manager or MANAGER as it is referred to throughout this manual, is the individual in charge of setting up and overall management of the MEDIA Librarian. The MEDIA MANAGER has been granted the SYSPRV, BYPASS, SYSTEM_UIC or media manager privilege using the VMS Authorize command. Though the system manager usually performs this function, MEDIA allows any user to be assigned MANAGER status.

Chapter summary

The general user guide is intended for use by the novice and intermediate user interested in gaining a general understanding of MEDIA.

Introductory Concepts

• Chapter 1, "Introduction," describes the MEDIA system modules: the MEDIA Librarian, the VAULT Saveset Manager, the BCKMGR Backup Manager, the Server Process and the Report Writer. The key features of each module are listed.
• Chapter 2, "Overview," presents a comprehensive overview of all facets of working with MEDIA How to perform Media Management, Backup Management and Restore in the MOTIF Work Center, MCL Work Centerand DCL are covered in detail. In addition, information on general concepts such as menus/forms and editors is discussed.

MOTIF Work Center

• Chapter 5, "Using the Motif Work Center," describes the basic operation of the MOTIF Work Center interface.
• Chapter 6, "Managing Media in the MOTIF Work Center," contains a detailed discussion of working with MEDIA, in the MOTIF Work Center.
• Chapter 7, "Backup in the MOTIF Work Center," contains a detailed discussion of performing backups in the MOTIF Work Center.
• Chapter 8, "Restore in the MOTIF Work Center," contains a detailed discussion of the restore functions available in the MOTIF Work Center.

MCL Work Center

• Chapter 9, "Managing Media in the MCL Work Center," contains a detailed discussion of working with MEDIA in the MCL Work Center.
• Chapter 10, "Backup in the MCL Work Center," contains a detailed discussion of working with BCKMGR in the MCL Work Center.
• Chapter 11, "Restore in the MCL Work Center," contains a detailed discussion of performing restore procedures in the MCL Work Center.
• Chapter 12, "MCL Support Commands," contains a detailed discussion of the remaining MCL Work Center commands.

Using DCL Commands

• Chapter 13, "Using MEDIA with DCL commands," contains information on the use of MEDIA. The emphasis in this chapter is learning MEDIA from the DCL command line.
• Chapter 14, "Backup with DCL commands," contains information on the use of backup commands. The emphasis in this chapter is learning these commands from the DCL command line.
• Chapter 15, "Restore with DCL commands," contains information on the use of restore commands. The emphasis in this chapter is learning restore commands from the DCL command line.

Report Reference

• Chapter 16, "Database Reporting," contains information on creating reports based on data in the MEDIA databases as well as sample reports for MEDIA, VAULT and BCKMGR.
  

APPENDIX

• Appendix A, "Logical Names," contains a list of the logicals used with MEDIA.

Additional volume chapter summaries

The MEDIA manual set also includes the operations guide and reference manual. When used together, with this manual, they provide a comprehensive understanding of MEDIA, VAULT and BCKMGR. These additional volumes are summarized below.

Operation guide

The Operation guide is intended for use by individuals with OPERATOR or MANAGER privileges and provides a detailed guide to MEDIA operation.

Introductory Concepts

• Chapter 1, "Introduction," describes the MEDIA software modules: the MEDIA Librarian, the VAULT Saveset Manager, the BCKMGR Backup Manager, the Server Process and the Report Writer. The key features of each module are listed.

Managing MEDIA

• Chapter 2, "Operator procedures," describes those procedures performed by individuals assigned the responsibility of responding to system requests to load and unload media.
• Chapter 3, "Manager functions," contains information relevant to those people assigned the responsibility of setting up and maintaining the MEDIA system.
• Chapter 4, "Manager's express functions," contains a breakdown of the Manager's express functions menu, which provides a convenient method for MANAGERS to access frequently used procedures. This includes pool management, offsite/onsite management and backup media identification.
• Chapter 5, "MEDIA Configuration," deals with the configuration of MEDIA by the MANAGER. All forms and menus used in configuration are described.

Server Reference

• Chapter 6, "Server Commands," describes the various commands which control the MEDIA server.
• Chapter 7, "Media Server Process," contains information on the detached process which coordinates certain activities for the MEDIA librarian.
• Chapter 8, "Parameter File," includes information on the file which contains the basic device, queue and general information that controls the execution of the MEDIA librarian.

Appendices

• Appendix A, "Offsite Storage," describes the different MEDIA offsite procedures, including what media are offsite, when media should be sent offsite and when media should be returned onsite.
• Appendix B, "Printing labels," describes the procedure used to print labels for media cataloged into the MEDIA database.
• Appendix C, "Using Dynamic Devices," describes the creation of a .COM procedure that allocates and deallocates a dynamic device.

Reference manual

This manual is intended as an in depth reference source on MEDIA.

Introductory Concepts

• Chapter 2, "Introduction," describes the MEDIA system modules: the MEDIA Librarian, the VAULT Saveset Manager, the BCKMGR Backup Manager, the Server Process and the Report Writer. The key features of each module are listed.

MEDIA Reference

• Chapter 3, "MEDIA Command Syntax," contains the syntax of all commands used in MEDIA. The format of each command is listed, as well as qualifiers and examples related to the command.

VAULT Reference

• Chapter 4, "VAULT Command Syntax," contains the syntax of all commands used in the VAULT system. The format of each command is listed as well as qualifiers and examples related to the command.

BCKMGR Reference

• Chapter 5, "BCKMGR Command Syntax," contains the syntax of all commands used in the BCKMGR system. The format of each command is listed as well as qualifiers and examples related to the command.

FORMAT Reference

• Chapter 6, "FORMAT Utility," covers the use and command syntax for the FORMAT tape handling utility, a general purpose tool for examining and converting data to and from tapes of VMS and non-VMS format.

REPORT Reference

• Chapter 7, "Report data sources," describes various handler routines used by the REPORT writer to extract data.
• Chapter 8, "REPORT Command," describes the REPORT utility which is mainly used to generate a finished printable report.
• Chapter 9, "Report definitions," explains the creation of a report definition file, as well as the syntax used in the report.
• Chapter 10, "Database Reporting," contains information on creating reports based on data in the MEDIA databases as well as sample reports for MEDIA, VAULT and BCKMGR.

Appendices

• Appendix A, "Conventions," describes the conventions used in various commands that can be issued.
• Appendix B, "Command files," contains the syntax for the command files used for MEDIA and BCKMGR jobs.
• Appendix C, "Record layouts," describes the various MEDIA record layouts.
• Appendix D, "Command file updates," gives information on updating the MEDIA command files.
• Appendix E, "MEDIA Call Interface," describes the various MEDIA subroutine calls accessible from any high level language.
• Appendix F, "Error messages," lists all the error messages encountered in MEDIA.

Related manuals

These manuals should also be studied:

• MEDIA Operations Manual
• MEDIA Reference Manual
• Guide to Maintaining a VMS System ¹
• VMS Backup Utility Manual ²
• VMS System Manager's Manual ³

ANSI tape standard

Throughout this manual, we refer to a native VAX/VMS FILES112 tape as ANSI STANDARD. As far as the tape system is concerned, the terms ANSI and FILES112 are interchangeable. FILES 11.2 is based on the ANSI standard X3.27-1978 .

MEDIA is a multifaceted backup management and media librarian system. It is designed to control and track all types of removable media whether they are in the data center, in a offsite storage vault or in a user's desk. It can also manage all types of backups, whether it is for a local disk drive or remote ones on a remote VMS, a remote UNIX or a remote WindowsNT system.

Increasingly VMS system managers are being asked to backup and maintain an increasingly diverse mix of pheripherals in their VMS cluster and network. As networks expand these same managers are required to regularly and reliable backup UNIX and Windows based systems throughout the their enterprise.

Using MEDIA along with the other products listed below, a complete enterprise backup and media management solution can be realized. All your nodes can be part of your backup strategy, whether VMS, UNIX or Windows. MEDIA will maintain a comprehensive database of all backups, what media were used and what files were selected.

MEDIA is divided into three distinct functions:

1. Media Librarian - The librarian keeps track of all types of removable media that you need to manage. A central database is maintained that discribes each medium. From what files are on it, to what type removable medium drive it can be used on.
2. Backup Manager - The manager keeps track of all backup jobs whether they are local or remote. Each job defines what disks are to be backed up. They type of backup, incremental, full etc. Each entry identifies what media have been used and when the each was performed.
3. Restore System - The restore system allows the user or manager to easily query the database to determine what is needed to restore a file, directory or an entire disk drive. The amount of information is governed by the access rights of the requesting user.

MEDIA comes with three different clients:

1. MOTIF Work Center - A fully functional MOTIF interface to all features and functions of the MEDIA product.
2. MCL Work Center - A fully functional VT terminal form/menu interface that provides access to all aspects of the MEDIA product.
3. DCL command line - A complete family of DCL line commands can be used to control and view all aspects of the MEDIA product.

MEDIA contains several additional features:

1. Robotic Devices - There are two distinct mechanisms available to connect too any type of robotic device or jukebox.
2. Stacker Support - On both ALPHA and VAX OpenVMS support is included for using stackers in a "scratch" mode.
3. Report Writer - The include report writer provides the ability to generate a infinite variety or reports. Aproximately 200 preset definitions are include. These can be customized or new ones added.
4. Complete API - A complete callable application programing interface is included. This allows for complete integration between MEDIA and any other application.
5. Online documentation - All the documentation is available online via BookReader. Paper copies of all documentation can be generated from PostScript files which are also included.

MEDIA has already been integrated with the following products to provide enterprise wide backup and media management capabilities:

1. DeviceShare - It provides the ability to access remote VMS disk drives to provide a full backup and restore capability from a central system.
2. LANutil - It provides the ability to access remote disk drives in remote Windows based systems to provide a full backup and restore capability from a central system.
3. TCP/IP NFS - It provides the ability to access the disk drives in any remote NFS UNIX or WindowsNT server to provide a full backup and restore capability from a central system.

MEDIA has in addition been integrated with:

1. ARCHIVE Lite - This provides a complete easy to use ability for users to selectively move files to and from offline storage as need by there applications. This utility optimized for the management of files stored offsite on a permanent or long term basis.
2. AGENT - This tool provides the ability to remotely control various UNIX and WindowsNT systems. This provides the ability to manage backups on various remotes systems without loading down the network with the data traffic.
3. SCHEDULE - This provides for the automatic initiation of any backup or media management job. In addition backup functions can be synchronized with all other jobs that might be impacked by the running of a backup job.