Backup Frustrations!!

[Gibson335]

Anyone else have or had a problem with the job rate suddenly plummeting?

We use Backup Exec 10d SP3, with a Quantum SDLT600 via a SCSI card. All was fine until suddenly the job rate started dropping from 975 MB/Min to around 205. We shut down the server, pulled the power on it and the device, started back up again and all was well again. This has happened several times, and worked great for weeks. Now, however, it's only working for a couple of days before it drops right back down again, despite there being no change in the job, no change in resource order.

Because it's Admin we can't shut it down too often, so making any changes is really hit and miss.

Any thoughts other than drivers, SCSI issues?

Cheers.

[SpuffMonkey]

Our Backup Exec rates are a work of fiction - with the rate zooming up and down, day to day, even though the amount of data and the time it takes to complete stay roughly similar. Stopped looking at them now.

[SYNACK]

Things that I would look for are:
Firmware upgrade on the drive
Retention and test the tapes themselves for annomolyes
Try a new tape
Set up an automated perfmon logging session on the involved servers to make sure that the speed hit is not related to a slowdown anywhere else

[Gibson335]

Cheers.

Unfortunately, all of that's been done.

Ran a test with some Quantum software that came up with 2 errors, so it may be the drive, but support only available in US and waiting for a call back from a tech...not holding my breath, though.

[danrhodes]

Please let me know if anybody finds a good tape drive.....

We currently have issues with compression ratios being too low.

Dan

[Zimmer]

The HP Ultrium StorageWorks autoloading drives are good...

I've always used them and would recommend them to anyone!

[Butuz]

Please let me know if anybody finds a good tape drive.....

We currently have issues with compression ratios being too low.

Dan

Many files simply can not be compressed. Not much anyone can do about it really.

I always base my backup purcheses around the "uncompressed capacity" as this way any compression is a bonus.

Butuz

[meastaugh1]

Anyone else have or had a problem with the job rate suddenly plummeting?

We use Backup Exec 10d SP3, with a Quantum SDLT600 via a SCSI card. All was fine until suddenly the job rate started dropping from 975 MB/Min to around 205. We shut down the server, pulled the power on it and the device, started back up again and all was well again. This has happened several times, and worked great for weeks. Now, however, it's only working for a couple of days before it drops right back down again, despite there being no change in the job, no change in resource order.

I've also got Backup Exec 10d with a Quantum SDLT600 and over recent months have seen backup rate drop from 1000-2000 M/B min to about 100 M/B min. Don't have a solution I'm afraid, but have been using the same workaround: reboot.

[john]

I'd agree with the HP Storage works drives, have one myself and its great, and I've used them for others as well with no issues. One thign to look for is Freecom ones are often re-badged HP ones so you can get some savings that way

[FN-GM]

Backups, story of my life. We have Quantum drives in our Dell 2900 servers and they work a treat.