Data Domain: Troubleshooting VTL Target Visibility Issues

Summary: This article is a resolution path for connectivity issues encountered on Data Domain Virtual Tape Library (VTL)

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Troubleshooting Data Domain VTL Target Visibility


PURPOSE

This article describes how to identify and correct issues that might occur when configuring the Data Domain Virtual Tape Library (VTL) feature.

Symptoms might include:
  • Application reports library offline
  • Client cannot see the Data Domain VTL

APPLIES TO

  • All Data Domain systems with VTL
  • All Data Domain Operating System (DDOS) releases


SOLUTION

Use the following steps to isolate the cause for the issue and identify the solution.
Perform the steps in order. Do not skip a step.

  1. Review Data Domain: Verifying that Network Connectivity is working properly. A bad cable or Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) can cause the Data Domain VTL to not be visible.
  2. Verify that the Data Domain VTL is online. From DD-CLI type:
vtl status

The status must be enabled, licensed, and running.
 

  1. Verify that the zoning is configured correctly for the Data Domain VTL. If zoning is configured incorrectly and the Data Domain is not isolated in a zone, the Data Domain VTL software target might not be visible.
  2. Verify that the Data Domain VTL supports the Host Bus Adapter (HBA) model and driver. Only certain HBA card types are supported for the Data Domain VTL. Check the e-lab navigator 
  3. Verify that the fiber switch is compatible. Certain switches may not be compatible with the Data Domain VTL.
  4. Verify that the initiator can be seen from the Data Domain, and that the Data Domain can be seen from the initiator.
    1. From the Data Domain command line, type:
vtl initiator show
    1. From the initiator, use the software that came with the HBA to confirm the Data Domain World Wide Port Name (WWPN) is listed.
  1. Verify that the correct devices are connected to the Data Domain VTL. Perform a Loop Initialization Primitive (LIP) to ensure that the Data Domain VTL is connected to the correct device.

If the issue persists after completing the steps in this article, gather an Autosupport (Data Domain - Gathering Autosupports) and create a service request.

Affected Products

Data Domain

Products

Data Domain
Article Properties
Article Number: 000012128
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 23 Jan 2026
Version:  10
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