Dell NetWorker 19.9 Administration Guide

Silo volume labeling

The NetWorker labels for volumes in a silo include both a regular NetWorker volume label (written on the media of the volume) and a silo barcode identifier. The volume label is usually based on the volume pool’s label template. The barcode identifier is written on a physical label on the outside of the volume, which the barcode reader in the silo can scan during inventory. Labeling volumes and Barcode labels provide instructions on how to label silo volumes.

The use of barcodes with matching barcode labels and NetWorker volume labels, are both available for a silo. The Barcode Reader attribute must be selected, however the Match Barcode Labels attribute is optional. When both attributes are selected, the internal volume label that NetWorker software writes on the media of each volume will match the barcode label on the outside of the volume. When the labels match, it is easier to track volumes. But the NetWorker software does not require the internal and external labels to match.

With most silo management software, unlabeled volumes can be used. The silo management software assigns a “virtual” barcode label to those volumes. Although volumes can be used without barcodes, it is difficult to maintain integrity, since once the volume has been removed from the silo, the information about the virtual barcode is lost. Any volume without an actual barcode can be reinserted into the silo under a virtual barcode that NetWorker software (or another application) associates with some of the data.