Tape capacity issues (Insert new media)

[Pigman]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been done before, but I cant find any useful articles on it.

I have a new BE 10 install on Windows 2000. I have a HP STORAGEWORKS 72 (C7438A) SCSI drive in my server using P STORAGEWORKS DAT72 tapes.

My hard-disk has 40Gb worth of data on it. This includes Exchange server.

My job is set to Compression: hardware, otherwise none.

When I run a job it gets to about 17GB and then requests another tape, even if the tape was blank.

Surely I must be able to get more than 17GB on a tape?

I understand about compression and the various data types etc, but it still doesnt add up.

This is the exact same problem I was having with a demo version of BE 9 before I trashed the install and installed BE10.

I've just fed the server another tape and its happily continuing.

Surely it doesnt take 2 x 72Gb (compressed) DATs to backup 40Gb?

[Ken_Putnam]

You're right. You should get 36GB native on those tapes

Have you tried a run with Software only specified?

[Pigman]

No, I'll try that now.

[Ross_Smith]

To me that sounds more like a hardware or driver problem than a BackupExec problem. It might be worth you running a backup to tape using Microsoft's Backup Utility.

Ross

[Pigman]

Okay, with only Software compression I get around 42Gb on a tape.

This sounds about right as most of our data is already highly compressed already (lots of JPGs, software installation packages etc).

So does this point to a problem with the hardware driver?

What should I do? Replace the Veritas driver?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

[Ken_Putnam]

Yeah, if you get 42GB with software compression, the driver is probably suspect.

Are you current on firmware and driver for both Controller and tape drive?

Are you using the Veritas driver or a mfg driver?

Have you tried switching?

Are there any switches (dip switches or jumpers) on the drive itself to enable or disable HW compression?


You may also want to consider just using SW compression. Years ago, I got slightly burned (not critically, thank God) trying to restore from an "identical" DLT drive with different firmware, and have used SW exclusively since. On today's hardware, the difference in throughput will be negligable

[Deepali_Badave]

Hello,

As mentioned in teh previous reply,

-- upgrade the firmware of the device.
-- Also try using OEM(Original manufacturers drivers)

http://support.veritas.com/docs/253974
(Note:This technote is applicable for teh backup exec v10.0 also)

NOTE : If we do not receive your reply within two business days, this post would be marked assumed answered and would be moved to answered questions pool.

[David_Jones_5]

So with a MS / Windows driver on the device I get 35Gb on a tape.

Interesting.

So I should just use Software compression you all think? Does that sound about right?

Thanks,

[Gauri_Ketkar]

Hi,

If you are getting around 42 GB (on a tape)Data with only Software compression,you can use Software as Compression type.

Software : Select this option to use STAC software data
compression, which compresses the data before it is sent to the storage device.

You can also refer to the Admin Guide : page no. 250

VERITAS Backup Exec (tm) 10.0 for Windows Servers Administrator's Guide (English)
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/269777.htm

For furher queries please revert.

Thank you.

NOTE : If we do not receive your reply within two business days, this post would be marked "assumed answered" and would be moved to "answered questions" pool.