CACHE-A SUPPORT PORTAL

Cache-A users note: version 2.1.15 is now available by request for all systems.
Consult the list of new features outlined below, if these are of interest to you, use the software update form to request a version 2.1 update.

This release provides Power-Cache capabilities for up to 4 tape drive functionality, networking configuration of up to 4 Ethernet ports including 10GbE, support for RAID5 and support for a separate SSD disk for the OS. On Pro-Cache models, this release permits the use of a second external tape drive as an alternative to a library.

Note that this release, like all before it, includes an updated user manual, available from the Versions web page.

What else has been addressed:
New features have been implemented in this release:
• This version allows users to use the Mount Manager to mount Apple File Protocol (afp) volumes to Cache-A systems (be sure to read the new manual section for instructions).
• This version provides job queuing for all models - this means that you can execute multiple drag-and-drops of content onto the same tape and each drop will create a queued session that will be executed in turn.
• This version provides independent control over the configuration of each Ethernet port on every Cache-A system (again, be sure to read the manual before using).
• This version provides a new status reporting feature above the Transfer Summary to give users a better idea of the progress of transfers.

This release also fixed a variety of issues including:
• It is now possible to freely reformat any LTO-5 tape from LTFS to tar or from tar to LTFS.
• Additions to the API now allowexpanded control of Library systems.

A variety of other minor issues have been addressed as outlined in the release notes.

How to get this update:
To get this update, your machine must already be at version 1.2 or later - simply fill out the Software Update Request form available from the button in the left hand column and request version 2.1 in the message area.

You can download the release notes for v2.1 here.

This notice is for all Pro-Cache5 systems that have the last 5 digits serial number between
65001 and 65138

If you registered your system, you already have been notified and upgraded. If you have not yet been contacted by Cache-A or our partners and your system is in this number range, it needs a retrofit kit. Please contact us immediately to get your free retrofit kit.

Cache-A users note: version 2.0.22 is now available by request and recommended for all users.
If you are on ANY 2.0 version other than 2.0.22 it is VERY IMPORTANT that you get this update.

This release provides LTFS capabilities for any LTO-5 Cache-A Model, Tape Duplication capabilities for any Pro-Cache Model with 2 drives, and Catalog sharing for any network with more than one Cache-A connected.

This release also fixes a number of bugs and we strongly recommend that all users get this update to assure the best level of data protection.

What else has been addressed:
Utility features to aid operations have been implemented in this release:
• A button has been provided under System Tools to allow users to easily clear all files
from the Cache-A volume share regardless of permissions issues
• A button has been provided under System Tools to allow users to easily disconnect the
VTAPE folder so content can be retained for user purposes allowing further archiving
without erasing
• A button has been added to the Version page to go directly to the current User Manual

This release also fixed a variety of issues including:
• Write Verify is now working with Multiple Volumes (spanned sets).
• All loose files dropped onto the VTAPE with Mac Finder will now be correctly archived – we still recommend that all files be archived within folders.

A variety of other minor issues have been addressed as outlined in the release notes.

How to get this update:
To get this update, your machine must already be at version 1.2 or later and you just need to send an email with your system serial number to support@cache-a.com to request for us to schedule v2.0.

If your system is at an earlier version than v1.2, first get the v1.2 update which will already be waiting under the System Tools > Software Update tab of your Cache-A user web page, then send us the email for 2.0.18.

You can download the release notes for v2.0 here.

Cache-A users note: version 1.3 is now available and recommended for all users.

This release provides Library24 capabilities for any Pro-Cache Model

What else has been addressed:
Problems with some browsers reporting a "Slow Script" error have been resolved - a new View-All Transfer Summary window provides better performance when reviewing long transfer lists.

A new link has been provided in the Source Directory > View dropdown to provide full access to all items anywhere in the Cache-A Share. This provides a greater level of flexibility for archiving content that has been staged anywhere on the local disk system.

A variety of other minor issues have been addressed as outlined in the release notes.

How to get this update:
To get this update, your machine must already be at version 1.2 or later and you just need to send an email with your system serial number to support@cache-a.com to have us schedule v1.3.

If your system is at an earlier version than v1.2, first get the v1.2 update which will already be waiting under the System Tools > Software Update tab of your Cache-A user web page, then send us the email for 1.3.

You can download the release notes for v1.3 here.

It is important that all users are running at least version 1.2 as noted below
to assure the best protection for your archives and catalog.

Cache-A users note: version 1.2.3 is now available and recommended for all users.

Cache-A engineering has completed a major new release that provides performance enhancements and fixes that customers have been waiting for. First and foremost is new database code that improves all catalog operations, making them literally one hundred times faster. Customers will notice faster completion times once large archive sessions have been written to tape and, even more impressively, much speedier operations when adding new tapes to the catalog.

Another major improvement in this release is a change to the way sessions are written to tape, keeping their size to an automatic limit that balances archive and restore performance. The resulting archives on tapes made going forward will generally allow individual file restores to complete in much less time.

What else has been addressed:
A host of additional improvements and fixes are included in 1.2.3 to address everything from subtle bugs to long standing customer requests. The Cache-A share is now correctly advertised on Macs, so the top level share of the Cache-A share now appears under the name “Cache-A” instead of “vtape.” A variety of other issues have been addressed as well, including: automatically removing files that have been left behind as a result of improper shutdown or power loss; from intermittent issues with archives not always starting; and a variety of smaller issues with archiving and/or restoring files.

How to get this update:
To get this update, your machine must already be at version 1.2 or later and you just need to send an email with your system serial number to support@cache-a.com to have us schedule v1.2.3.

If your system is at an earlier version than v1.2, first get the v1.2 update which will already be waiting under the System Tools > Software Update tab of your Cache-A user web page, then send us the email for 1.2.3.

Important note for R3D Data Manager Users:
Systems updated to v1.2.3 will require version 6.2 R3D Data Manager software to maintain compatibility.

You can download the release notes for v1.2.3 here.

It is imporatant that all users are running at least version 1.2 as noted below
to assure the best protection for your archives and catalog.

Cache-A users note: version 1.2.1 is available addressing two areas which may be important for some users.

Version 1.2.1 includes a fix for archive to tape not starting in some cases after a tape intiitalization.

This release also includes additional international 2 byte character support.

Please contact Cache-A Support if you would like to obtain a copy of this release.

It is imporatant that all users are running at least version 1.2 as noted below to assure the best protection for your archives and catalog.

All Cache-A systems should update to our latest version 1.2 for best performance, newest features and most secure data protection.

Some of the new features in this release include Power Search Restore, Direct Attached Storage advertised through the share, and Bypass VTAPE capabilities.

Please check your System Tools page, Software Update tab to get this latest version.

This update has been scheduled for all systems.
You can download the release notes for v1.2 here.
Check that your Versions page reports v1.2 when the completed to ensure that the update was installed was correctly.

If you have an earlier system that is still at v1.0.2 or v1.0.4 this release will not install — please contact support for important updates — your system will require multiple updates.

It is imporatant that all users are running the most current version to assure the best protection for your archives and catalog.

Direct Attached Storage Mounting and Unmounting

USB Devices support "hot plugging" and can be plugged in and removed at any time. The list of drives in both the Source Directory listing of the File Manager page and in the DirectAttachStorage folder is updated by clicking on the refresh arrow at the bottom of the Source Directory window.

eSATA Devices do not currently support hot plugging, so although you can plug in an eSATA device with power on, a reboot is always required before it will appear.

To get rid of links in the DirectAttachStorage folder, you must unplug the device, and then click refresh arrow at the bottom of the Source Directory in File Manager for it to refresh and remove old links. In the case of eSATA, a reboot after removal may also be required.

If the system is shut down and the device is then removed, old links may persist - to remove them either replug the device and follow the above procedure or remove them via Linux shell commands.

It is essential that you EJECT your tape prior to powering down.

Powering down without ejecting the tape can create a potential for data loss. This is due to the fact that certain key information is updated on the cartridge only at the time the tape is ejected from the tape drive.

Contact Cache-A Technical Support if you have tapes that were left in the machine during power down. We strongly recommend that you not add data to tapes in this state.