When troubleshooting a failed backup on a tape drive, what should be the first item to examine?

The first item to examine when troubleshooting a failed backup on a tape drive is the tape media. This choice is critical because issues with the tape itself, such as physical damage, defects, or compatibility problems, can directly impact the success of the backup process. If the tape media is faulty, it could be the reason why the backup cannot be completed or why it fails during the process.

Furthermore, tape media can have an impact on the integrity of the stored data and can result in failures during read or write operations. By checking the tape media first, technicians can rule out one of the most common failure points and ensure that the issue is not due to a faulty tape before moving on to more complex components such as the drive or the library. Issues related to tape drive and capacity will usually become apparent once the media has been verified to be functioning correctly, as these elements often depend on the tape media's performance for effective operation.