Tape loader 124T LTO-3 SCSI + Symantec Backup Exec 11d

Kessij,

From what it looks like I would say you are having a driver issue. What I would recommend to start with would be to go into Backup Exec and run tape inst. Here is a link that has some info how to do that if you need it.

www.symantec.com/.../index

Let me know how that goes and if there is anything else I can do for you.

Hello Kenny,

Thanks for helping me!

I unistalled and installed symantec drivers according to the link you sent. Of course I rebooted server.

Here are results:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/tape1.png

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/tape2.png

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/tape3.png

Regards,

Vadim

From looking more into the logs I do see the firmware on the library and on the LTO-3 tape drive. I would recommend starting with the drive firmware and then the library firmware as they both have some advances in the compression side of things. Let me know how that goes.

Drive Firmware:

www.dell.com/.../DriverDetails

124T Firmware:

www.dell.com/.../DriverFileFormats

Hi Kenny,

Bad results (

Firmware upgrade for drive and loader:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/driver_firmware.png

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/tape_loader_firmware.png

Test with compression:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/compression_on_after_firmware_upgrade.png

Test without compression (same data!) :

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/compression_off_after_firmware_upgrade.png

Of course I rebooted after firmware update and reinstalled symantec drivers.

I have opened similar thread on symantec forum:

www-secure.symantec.com/.../backup-exec-11d-doesnt-use-full-tape-capacity-tape-library-dell-124t-lto-3-ibm-scsi

There was advise to use IBM tools for initializing tapes. I googled for such stuff but found only ITDT diagnostic, but this one have something:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/itdt1.png

not sure what I can do there without breaking something.

Hello Kessij,

Here is a link to download our diagnostics.

www.dell.com/.../DriverFileFormats

In the download there is the ITDT software to test the drive.  After you install ITDT you can run a compression test on any scratch media ( blank) & it will test to confirm that the drive is operating as it should.  You can also run a full backup as well to ensure that it is using the full capacity.  When running the test need to make sure that you stop all Backup Exec services so that LTDT will see & be able to communicate with the drive.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Hello guys,

I haven't managed to run Dell ITDT soft (assume because of 64bit machine/java), but since I had installed the same or even newer IBM ITDT test tool, I think it's fine. So here are results.

Full Write tests:

With compression, 64k blocks:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/ibm_test_with_compression.png

Without compression, 64 blocks:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/ibm_test_without_compression.png

Am I right saying that only 331175MB have been written to 370GB tape (LTO3)? I don't know how interpret results without compression.

Simple test:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/performace_failed.png

Only performance is failed, but I cannot say it's very low. It just depends on media. 2000MB/s is usual speed for this device/tape.

I cannot use tape util options, because for every option it asks to "open device". Removable storage service is stopped and disabled..

but when I choose open device it returns:

Opening Device...

Open Device FAILED

Errno: 1 Incorrect function

When I try to open library, it shows:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scanning SCSI Bus ...

#0 \\.\scsi2: - [ULTRIUM-TD3]-[93GM] S/N:1210234769 H2-B0-T6-L0

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opening Device...

Open Device FAILED

Errno: 170 The requested resource is in use

I tried with inserted tape in tape drive and with not inserted tape (left in library magazine).

system test if failing, probably because of tape loader. The same error either when I run it with tape in the drive or in the loader.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/system_test_idtd.png

Can you please help interpret full write test?

Do you see something suspicious?

Hello Kessij,

In regards to your full write test that was done it was able to compress some data so we can say that the drive is able to do compression.  I wanted to know how old your media is that you are using?  Also the files that were created during the standard test if you can send me those files that would be great.  The files are normal located under the user account that you installed ITDT (C:\Users\samuel_l\.itdt-xe\output).  The files that I need are 1210234769.blz, 1210234769.a.gz, & 1210234769.b.gz.  I will also send you an email so you can just reply back to that with the log files.

Hello Sam,

here is link to logs: dl.dropbox.com/.../output.rar and also sent it to you by email.

Does creation dates related to tapes age?

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10624899/Pictures/tapes2.png

Hello Vadim,

So I reviewed the logs that you sent and there are a couple of issues that need to be resolved.  First is that the cleaning media that is in the unit is really old as it was manufactured on 02-08-2007.  The cleaning media has only had 17 uses but due to its age I don’t feel that it is cleaning the drive effetely as it should.  Cleaning media is only good for about 35-50 uses or 2-3years from date of manufacture.  Second is that on a deeper look into your drive I see that you have an issue with one of the write heads as it is clogged with debris.  With having a clogged head can cause you not to not be able to use all the tracks on the media & that could be why you are not able to get full use of 400GB with compression turned off.

What I would recommend is if you have a newer cleaning media I would try to clean the drive 3 times to see if the debris will come off.  also as for your media the creation date that is listed is for when the media was seen for the first time by Backup Exec.  It is not a good an exact date but it helps in narrowing how the media is.  Based on the 2 pieces that you provided the stats on: barcode#000091L3 is right at the point that it need to be pulled from regular rotation & moved to more of an archive rotation (example: once a month backup).  Barcode# 000016L3 needs to be archived as it is past the 3yr mark of active rotation.  Here is a link to our LTO hand book & on page 26 it explains about how long media is good for in an active rotation.  support.dell.com/.../LTO_MH.pdf

Please let me know if have any other questions.

Hi Sam,

i'm really impressed! I will purchase new cleaning tape, make cleaning and report back. But you very helped resolving this issue, this is first progress since the beginning! Many thanks!

Vadim,

not a problem that is what we are here to do is to assist customer with there issues.  i will wait for your response to see if the cleaning resolved your issue.

Hi Sam,

I cleaned this device many times, did long erase to the same tapes (didn't managed to get customer give me new tapes for test) and at least one tape overlapped the limit and even showed some compression! Very good result and sign I think!

thanks again!

Regards,

Vadim

Vadim,

Glad to hear that it looks like we resolved your issue.  if you have any other issues in the future please feel free to contact us & we will be glad to assist you.