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Adding and Managing Tape Libraries in Commvault

Commvault
02/22/2026
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Tapes provide an inexpensive way to retain long-term data, while adding an additional level of protection from ransomware attacks since tapes can be stored offline. Removable media, including tape and USB drives, can also be added, removed and moved between multiple storage locations. A tape target receives client-server backups, or is used as a secondary copy of backup data. Let's add a tape library to the Commvault environment using the Command Center. From the Navigation Pane, click on Storage to expand the section and select Tape. This window displays the tape storage devices currently configured. To add tape storage, click Add. From the list, select the media agent where the library is connected. Click Scan Hardware to discover the tape devices. Tape storage is displayed upon discovery. To configure the storage, select the device and its tape drives. Click Save to add the tape storage. The newly configured storage is now displayed. The Actions button to the right allows control of the library with options to reset and export media. Click on the library name to review its details. To view available tasks for the drives, in the Drives Pane, click the Actions button next to the drive you wish to control. From here, you can reset the drive, clean it, validate or unload it, as well as mark it as replaced after a hardware failure. Clicking the drive name loads the drive's properties, where you have activity control settings to enable or disable the drive. The Media Details tab shows details of media in the library and provides capabilities to manage tape media exports.

TL;DR

  • Tape libraries provide cost-effective long-term retention with offline ransomware protection, functioning as either primary backup targets or secondary copy destinations within Commvault environments.
  • The Scan Hardware feature automatically discovers tape libraries and drives connected to media agents, streamlining the initial configuration process through the Command Center's Storage section.
  • Administrators can perform comprehensive drive maintenance including reset, clean, validate, unload, and replacement marking operations, plus control drive availability through activity settings and manage media exports for offsite storage.

Summary

This tutorial demonstrates the complete process for adding and configuring tape libraries within Commvault Command Center. The video walks through hardware discovery using the Scan Hardware function, which automatically detects tape libraries and drives connected to selected media agents. Administrators learn how to configure tape storage as either primary backup targets or secondary copy destinations, leveraging tape's cost-effectiveness for long-term retention and its offline nature for ransomware protection. The demonstration covers essential management tasks including drive-level maintenance operations (reset, clean, validate, unload), activity control settings for enabling or disabling drives, and media export capabilities for offsite storage workflows. The Command Center interface provides centralized control over tape library properties, drive status monitoring, and media lifecycle management through the Media Details tab.

Chapters

0:00 - Tape Storage Benefits Overview
0:33 - Adding Tape Library via Command Center
0:56 - Hardware Discovery and Configuration
1:16 - Drive Management and Media Controls

Key Quotes

0:03 "Tapes provide an inexpensive way to retain long-term data, while adding an additional level of protection from ransomware attacks since tapes can be stored offline."
0:25 "A tape target receives client-server backups, or is used as a secondary copy of backup data."
0:56 "Click Scan Hardware to discover the tape devices."
Categories:
  • » Webinar Library » Commvault
  • » Data Protection » Backup & Recovery
  • » Data Protection
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Tags:
  • Data Protection
  • Backup & Recovery
  • How-To
  • Technical Deep Dive
  • Getting Started
  • Tape library configuration
  • Hardware discovery automation
  • Ransomware protection strategies
  • Long-term data retention
  • Backup target management
  • Drive maintenance operations
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