Erasing Tapes using RMAN

Question

I am running the below RMAN Script to backup my Database.
run { 
allocate channel LS type 'SBT_TAPE' format 'b_%u_%s_%p';
backup ( database include current controlfile );
backup ( archivelog all
delete input );
The backup is running fine.
Now I am looking @ erasing the tape before backups.
Can I do this using RMAN Script.
i.e.
Can my script be like
run { 
allocate channel LS type 'SBT_TAPE' format 'b_%u_%s_%p';
send device type 'SBT_TAPE''SOME STRING TO TO TELL MY BACKUP SOFTWARE TO OVERWRITE MEDIA';
backup ( database include current controlfile );
backup ( archivelog all
delete input );
}

Answer 1

You are able to erase your tapes by issuing "delete obsolete;" command. I'm talking about Rman 9i and above where you have specified the retention for your backups. But before you can issue command delete, you should allocate channel for you backup madia management (TSM, Legato,...) with special keyword "for manintenance".
RMAN> connect catalog xxx/xxx@rman
RMAN> connect target
RMAN> allocate channel for maintenance type 'SBT_TAPE' parms='ENV=(TDPO_OPTFILE=/app/oracle/tsm/config/tdpo_ORAX_backup.opt)';
RMAN> DELETE OBSOLETE;
RMAN> release channel;
RMAN> exit