Jaydeep

Not really, the .dr file that is created during the IDR enabled backup would contain backup-set information and the Media Server information to restore from. However, it does not have a complete catalog information. You would first need to catalog the tape on this server in order to restore the data from. Is the Tape drive installed properly on this server (with Symantec drivers). Have you enabled Tape Library support in the install options? If the setup is fine, all you need to do is right click the Tape drive (after physically inserting the tape media, for Library just put the tape in the library slot) and perform Inventory. Once the Inventory is successful, again right click and perform catalog. If you are not able to view these options, could you post a screenshot of the options that you get after right clicking the tape drive or a link to it.

I am not sure how IDR is gonna help if you are not able to catalog the tapes in the first place. What version of Backup Exec has been used to backup data on that tape?

@Homeland just noticed something in your first post -'was going well a media set was created and the tape ran its inventory fine' Did you by any chance, create a media set on this test server and assign the tape to this media set. If yes, you might have erased all the data on the tape. My suggestion, do not create any media sets on the test server as this is only being used for restore. Only insert the tape, inventory, catalog and perform the restore.

Have you confirmed if the antivirus is set to sn when data is being read. This could result in considerably slow backups. I don't think the bkf file size at its current 10 GB is a problem, it is OK to leave it at that. The main concern when the backups are slow i the fragmentation both at source and the B2D location. I would also suggest you to monitor the disk IOs You could refer to this document http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC3276 and even if it says for 2010, follow it as most of the suggestions are not BE version specific but very generic. I have seen them fix most performance issues. Thanks

mrbios, pantscat and geezersoft, Thank you for still being on the Backup Exec ship. As Lenora has informed, Backup Exec is soon comming up with a Beta for supporting the new platforms Server 2012 and VMWare 5.1 Though, Symantec was a bit slow getting this out, we want to get this right from the start. mrbios, what are the issues that you are facing with DFSR. If you have a support case opened with us, please let us know the ticket number and we will review it again to see if we can do anything to fix the issues. I work for the Backup Exec support team and we have this small small group always available for you, no matter it is forums like this or Spiceworks or Twitter. Feel free to give us a shout anytime we will be there. Lenora - @lmosla Donald - @Donaldeady and me - @js3012 Additionally, we have Matt - @packmatt73 and @backupexec to provide you with any Management asistance as well.