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Removable Storage overview

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Removable Storage overview

Removable Storage makes it easy for you to track your removable storage media (tapes and optical disks) and to manage the hardware libraries, such as changers and jukeboxes, that contain them. Removable Storage labels, catalogs, and tracks media; controls library drives, slots, and doors; and provides drive-cleaning operations.

Removable Storage works in concert with your data-management programs, such as Backup. You use data-management programs to manage the actual data stored on the media. Removable Storage makes it possible for multiple programs to share the same storage media resources, which can reduce your costs.

Removable Storage organizes all the media in your libraries into different media pools. Removable Storage also moves media between media pools in order to provide the amount of data storage your applications require.

Removable Storage does not provide volume management, such as for media siding or striping. Also, Removable Storage does not provide file management, such as for data backup or disk-extender operations. These services are done by data-management applications such as Backup or Remote Storage. Remote Storage is not available on computers running Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition; or Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition.

You must run all your data-management programs on the same computer that connects to your library. Removable Storage does not support multiple data-management programs running on different computers that are connected to the same library.