Job rate is slow when a GB switch is changed

[Ivan_2]

We are using Backup Exec R3, and using VMWare Agent to do a full backup.

Recently, one of our GB swtich is out of order.

We have 3 ESXi server, in vSphere 5.0

Temporary, we use a 8 port GB switch to conenct the 3 ESXi server  and the BackupExec Server.

Before, the Job rate is over 2000 MB/min.

Now, the job rate is just 550 MB/min.

What can we do to increase the job rate for this issue?

Ivan

[CraigV]

...this seems to be a network issue. Swopping out the switch would have no issues with the backups, so check to make sure the switch ports are hard-coded to the maximum speed of the port (say 1GB FULL) and any other settings are the same as the switch that was replaced.

Thanks!

[Ivan_2]

Already hardcode the network speed to be 1GB full in the backup exec server...

Can I hardcode the network speed in ESXi to be 1GB full as well?

[CraigV]

Yes, by all means! And if it's an agent-based backup, look at doing the same on the VMs.

Thanks!

[Ivan_2]

Already set the one ESXi server to hardcode 1GB ful but no help!

The job rate is 559 MB/min and cannot increase anymore...

Ivan

[Colin_Weaver]

Does your media server have multiple NIC cards and was your old switch configured with NIC teaming?

If it was then this may be the couse, however as a doubt an 8 Port switch would support NIC teaming if this is the problem then you may not be able to fix with your temporary switch. 

[Ivan_2]

There is not enough port to do NIC teaming.

Besides, when I copy a file (about 2GB) from a VM to the backup Exec, the transfer rate is 5040 MB/min.

that's 10 times Backup exec job rate!

Is there any control on Backup Exec on the Job rate or network transfer?

Ivan

[Colin_Weaver]

You can't really compare the file copy speed with the backup speed as the protocols and the way the files are wriitten to storage are different.

Basically irrespective of software control of speed settings you know your problem started when you swapped out a networking device so you need to be looking at that side of things as to why you have a performance issue.

[Ivan_2]

Dear Colin,

Thx for the information.

In what network switch configuraton so that we can maximize the backup speed?

I feel frustrated.

Even though file copy speed and backup speed are two different things, it tells me that the network is running in GB and not MB.

Though the switch is changed, it tell me that in previous low end GB switch, it can reach over 2000 MB/min but now we only got 500 MB/min.

We have a VM file server with about 1.2TB data.

Before, the full backup takes 10 hours.

Now, the fullbackup takes 40 hours...

Could you kindly help me on this issue?

Ivan

[Gurvinder]

even though we know the issues started post the switch replacement but try the steps from this technote and see if it helps to improve the job rate

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH185691

[Ivan_2]

It does not work... The backup speed is still the same...

Thx Gurvinder. I think all I can do is to wait for the new switch arrival... :<

Ivan

[Gurvinder]

Can you try disabling Receive Side scaling, NetDMA, TCP Chimney, Large Send Offload from the NIC properties (both using netsh, registry and from NIC ) on Media Server and then check the Job Rate.

http://support.microsoft.com/KB/951037

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH197934

[Ivan_2]

Is that when Backup through VMWare Agent, the backup network is run through the ESX Management Port?

Ivan

[Gurvinder]

Yes, you are doing backups using NBD ? right ? so we can check if it makes a difference. Perform only on the media server

[Ivan_2 · Accepted solution]

Yes. That's the vCenter management port issue. The port is in 100 MB port.

When I change it to GB port, the backup speed increase to 2XXX MB/min.

Thx.

Ivan