FSA: backup size hasn't decreased

[Rob_Walker_2]

I'm new to EV so I apologise if this is an easy question.

I've implemented FSA and successfully run it against a large share. I've then backup the archive and rerun the job to create the placeholders. The used space on the file server has decreased but when I back up the share using Backup Exec 11d the size does not decrease. BE seems to be honouring the offline flag and has not recalled all the files but yet the size of the backup has not dropped. I have not placed the file server in backup mode or anything similar but I thought this was only for badly behaved backup software which recalled the files.

I assume windows is reporting to BE the original file sizes. How do I reduce the size of my backups? This is the main reason for implenting backup exec on this site.

Thanks

Rob

[MichelZ]

Rob

Is there any Antivirus Software in Place which may recalls the Items?

Cheers
Michel

[Rob_Walker_2]

Hi,

Sophos is installed on the server but it's currently set to only scan on write and there is no scheduled scan set. All the files still seem to archived and i can see plenty of placeholders.

[MichelZ]

Rob

Would it be possible to try a backup when Sophos is completly disabled?
The issue sound very familiar and was caused by the AV Software in a case I had.

Cheers
Michel

[Rob_Walker_2]

Ok I'll give that a go. I assume this is AV on the file server, not the backup server. Or maybe both!?

[MichelZ]

Correct, on the EV Server only.

Cheers
Michel

[Rob_Walker_2]

Ok, thanks for your help. I'll give it a go and report back.

[jimbo2]

The default setting for FSA is to display the size of the file. Does anyone think that this is causing an issue with the backup software?

My reference is the registry guide.

Jim S.

FileSizeEmulation

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

  \SOFTWARE

    \KVS

      \Enterprise Vault

        \FSA

          \PlaceholderService

Location

DWORD

0 — Placeholder files show a size of zero.

1 — (Default) Placeholder files show the size of the original files.

Content

File System Archiving

ExpandLocalGroups

102

FileSizeEmulation controls the apparent size of placeholders that

were created by a version of Enterprise Vault before 6.0 SP2.

In older versions of Enterprise Vault, placeholders show one of the

following sizes:

■ Zero

■ The size of the corresponding archived items.

Placeholders created by Enterprise Vault 6.0 SP2 and later always

show the original file size.

Because placeholders may exist for a long time, both types of

placeholder can be present on a system. If both types of placeholder

are present, use the default value of FileSizeEmulation so that old

placeholders behave in the same manner as new placeholders.

[MichelZ]

Jimbo

I think the Backupsoftware should measure filesize as the size written to backup tape.
But you may be correct and the Backup Software is not that intelligent :)

/Michel

[jimbo2]

MichelZ,

I noticed in his statement he mentioned backing up a file share. EV hooks into the local file system so my question would be if the archive bit is cleared remotely will EV pickup the change?

I do not have an FSA system at work ATT but maybe someone could test this.

Jim S.

[MichelZ]

Nice one, Jim!

Rob, as Jim mentions: Do you backup the placeholders using a Share, or do you have a local Backup Agent installed?

Cheers
Michel

[Rob_Walker_2]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to hang my head in shame on this one...

Now that I'm on site I can see the problem. We're not actually backing up the file server directly. It's contents are replicated to another server using a product called doubletake. This is done for DR purposes, and it's THIS server we're backing up. It's therefore the Doubletake product that's not replicating the placeholders - it still has the original files.

Sorry!

[MichelZ]

No Problem, glad you solved this one!

Cheers
Michel