Backup performance slow(and then suddenlyfast)

[Symctec]

Hello All,

I have a backupexec15 server running on windows 2012 standard. This is a new setup. We are trying to backup a disk from SAN storage(zoned to BE server) to tape drives. A total of 3 LUNS from 2 different storage. The issue is sometimes the backup starts at very slow speed(~400-500 MB/min) and keeps that way till we cancel it. Once cancelled and restart job we get speed of ~8000 MB/min.

Any reason why just restarting a backup job makes such a big diffence? It happens randomly on any of the three LUNs. All the jobs for the three disks run at different times to prevent any storage cache contention. Antivirus is disabled for BE binaries. Server rebooted multiple times. Reinstalled BE one time. Only pending storage controller reboot. 

Best regards..

[CraigV]

Put in an exclusion for BE's services in any AV running on the media server. See if this makes any difference.

Also, try stagering the job start times to see if this leads to an increase in speed. Especially if multiple drives/folders are being backed up from the same LUNs to the drives, where multiple snapshots of the same LUNs are taken simultaneously.

Thanks!

[Larry_Fine]

I would suggest creating a fourth job of some data local on/from the BE server to tape.  Use this to test performance.  Especially when you see slow backups from the SAN, compare that with local backups speeds.  That will give you some idea if the issue is with the source (SAN disk) or the target (tape).

I assume you are backing up to an FC tape library also on the SAN?

[Symctec]

Yes, backing to an FC tape library also on the SAN. Local backups dont behave in this cranky fashion, only the SAN storage backups are behaving like this. Am planning to get the storage rebooted to see if it helps. Thanks...

[CraigV]

Make sure your zoning is all correct, and that your fibre ports are all hard-coded to the fastest speed they can take (ie 8Gb).

You never responded about whether or not an antivirus is actively scanning the BE services either...so is it?

Check for any fibre cable issues as well.

Thanks!

[Colin_Weaver]

When you state that the SAN storage is zoned to the BE server, is the BE server the owner/creator of the data in the SAN storage OR do other servers also have SAN connections to the same storage making those servers the original owners/creators of the data?

Just trying to understand if you have an offhost isue or a direct backup issue (as it might be something odd relating to offhost applying some but not all of the time, resulting in the backup sometimes operating over the LAN from the remote agent on the original owning servers. 

[Symctec · Accepted solution]

There was one "slow" drive out of a total of 4 tape drives. Replaced it and the system works fine.

Best Regards...