How to Label a Volume

A volume label is a unique internal code applied by Backup that initializes the volume for Backup to use and identifies a storage volume as part of a specific pool. To label a volume, follow these steps:

1. Place an unlabeled or recyclable volume in the Backup storage device.

2. Use Backup to label the volume. You can use either the Backup administration program or the nsrmm command.

   There are three options:

   • If you do not select a pool for the volume that you are about to label, Backup automatically applies the label template associated with the Default pool.

   • To create individual label names not associated with a template, edit the Volume Name attribute in the Label resource and enter a unique label name.

   • If you enable the Manual Recycle attribute when you label a volume, the volume cannot automatically be marked as recyclable according to the retention policy. Only an administrator can mark the volume recyclable.

   When Backup labels a volume, Backup first verifies that the volume is unlabeled. Then Backup labels the volume with the name specified in the Volume Name attribute, using either the next sequential label from the label template associated with the chosen pool or an override volume name you entered.

   If you relabel a recyclable volume from the same pool, the volume label name and sequence number remain the same, but access to the original data on the volume is destroyed and the volume becomes available for new data.

   After a volume is labeled and mounted in a device, the volume is available to receive data. Because the Backup label is internal and machine-readable, it is a good idea to put an adhesive label on each volume that matches the internal volume label. To use barcode labels with an autochanger, see "How Backup Uses Barcode Labels with Autochangers". To use barcode labels with a silo, see "Labeling Volumes in a Silo".