UNSOLVED
Backup time slow after power outage
We recently had a power outage in our building. Prior to the outage, the server was backing up about 77GB of data between the primary server and 4 blades. Backup time was around 8 to 9 hours. Primary server is a PE 2850 with a PV 122T connected on an Adaptec 160 scsi. After the outage, backup time increase to 17 hours for only 67GB (one server was cleaned up alot). The drop is across the board on all servers including the primary to which the PV is connected. I have checked the software and everything is running normally. Amount of data stored on the tapes has not changed, about 55GB before spanning to a second tape. The only change is that the MB/Min is way down from before the outage. As far as I know, the server did receive a clean shutdown prior to the outage. After the outage, we did have a Dimm go bad and that was replaced but, the backup still remains very slow. I know there is something I am missing but, I don't know what else to look at. Is it possible that a setting on the SCSI changed making the thru-put rate slower? I need help here to get this resolved.
NOTE: I have looked at another thread that also mentioned slow backups but, their server was a 4600 on S2K. I am running Server 2003. Currently, transfer rates are literally cut in half. Would love to see rates mention at 1.4GB/min
- Yes, both were down during the outage. As far as I know, both were brought up together. The server and tape drive have since been rebooted. I have updated the firmware on the tapedrive and the dirvers are up to date. I can see if I can block time to recycle both thru a complete shutdown and restart and see if that corrects anything. I did increase the buffers in BE 9.1 to 20 and that cut the time back about 1.5 hours, although still 6 hours more that it should be at this point.
- Just to ensure that nothing may have been missed, powered down the server and PV122T. Powered the 122T up and then started the server. Normal check of the drive and library occured. Backup that night still ran over 15hours for 68GB, way longer that it was taking. I previously mentioned that a DIMM had to be replaced after the outage since it was giving errors. I thought maybe it was the cause but we still have the same issue after the replacement. Is there a setting on the SCSI card that sets transfer rates between the server and the tape drive? I did not find anything when I looked but, then again, I may be looking for the wrong thing. Other possibility is that SCSI card had a problem. Hardware checks say everything is fine, software settings have not changes since the power outage. There is definitely something that is affecting this but I just don't see it at this time. HELP!
- I have a very similar setup (PE 2650). I am experiencing the exact same behavior. I did not have any power outages, but did update the Adaptec drivers and firmware to fix other errors. After the update, my throughput dropped to like 65 MB/min. Backups now take 22 hours instead of 6.
Server: Poweredge 2650
Software: Backup Exec 9.1 4691
Drive: PV-122T-DLT-VS80
Firmware: 86.57
SCSI drivers: 6.4.630.100
I have tried everything I could think of to fix this with no luck. Did you ever get your issue resolved? Might be time for me to actually call Dell. - There has been no resolution as of yet. I thought that maybe the setting on the SCSI may have changed somehow but have not looked at it yet. I agree that a call to Dell is now in order. There may be something else here that we are not aware of, i.e. an update, error in firemware, etc. Hey Dell, what's up????
warwick7th
17 Posts
855
0
Posted July 25th, 2005 12:00
No power outage here but I'm looking at 4mb/min. My setup may be alittle more complicated though. I have a Remote Agent on a server that I'm trying to backup but when I reach out to the same server using one of the standalone drives I get the correct speeds for my drives. It's only when I use my 132T that I get this woefully slow rate.
HELP!!!!
w2k3
BE 10.xwarwick7th
17 Posts
855
0
Posted July 25th, 2005 13:00
Oh boy...nothing like a little mystery on a monday morning. The models listed in the M$ article are not my model. Hmmm... If you hear screaming coming from the sweltering south...it's me. Before I do this I'll update my resume...
thanks for the link!...I think. ;)- I made the changes to the server but will not know if they worked until tonight when the backup runs. I had already updated the drivers and the firmware on the tape drive. I did notice a little change after I had updated the firmware about 2 weeks ago. We shall see what happens.
DELL-Bob D
899 Posts
853
0
Posted June 17th, 2005 18:00
Can you tell us the backup application you are using?
The drive technology sounds like VS80 is this correct?
Was the 122T shutdown prior to the outtage? if not you may want to power down both sever and lib. power on the 122t first let it become ready then power up the server.