Back not compressing. Veritas 9.0

[XtremeDawg]

I have the settings set for hardware compression if available otherwise software compression. It is not being compressed. I cannot determine why it is not being compressed.

 

[XtremeDawg]

This is a Compaq DLT VS 40/80 tape drive.

 

[justin2000]

how much is being backed up to tape before BE is asking for another tape?

 

[XtremeDawg]

Ok I see that it is in fact compressing the data but shows the compression ratio as 0.972:1 when set to use software and 0.686:1 using the hardware compression if available otherwise software compression setting.

It is not running out of tape space now since I deleted some trash off of the file server but I know that Monday's backup was 39.6 GB written to a 40/80 tape which according to BE should not be possible. It shows the max capacity to be 38.7 GB.

I'm confused.

 

[steveot]

That 39 gig is just a guestimate of Native capacity. So you may want to download the latest firmware for you tape device. Enable Hardware compression in Backup Exec. Run a job. If you get over 40 gigs on the tape then the compression is working. Even if its 43 gigs and kicks it out its working....all depends on what kind of data is being backed up. Visit the hardware vendors website and usually they have tape tools to determine if compression is enabled in the firmware..and usually they have a tool to test compression.

 

[jnetfulton]

Hello,

Similar situation here, I am backing up roughly 40GB of data using Veritas BE 9.1 with an HP SureStore Autoloader and DLT IV tapes (40/80). The autoloader is running the most current firmware. When the backup gets to about 26 1/2 GB Veritas asks for another tape to be inserted. I am running software compression and I have “append then over write” selected. I am also using new tapes right now.

What could be causing the loss of capacity on the tape? The backup is only getting roughly 26GB on one 40/80 tape. ????????? This particular backup is backing up Lotus Notes Mail files. I have other backups with similar issues, but thought I would keep it simple and talk about only one backup.

Any help would be great

Thanks, Justin

 

[SQLBill]

Justin,

You are allowing append. Backups can't 'loop' on a tape. If the job appends and gets to the end of the tape without finishing it needs a new tape. Period.

example: You are backing up a 8 GB database on a 20 GB tape.
1st backup fills up 8 GB (12 GB left)
2nd backup fills up 8 GB (4 GB left)
3rd backup fills up -oops only 4 GB left, not enough room-
fills up 4 GB and demands another tape.
4th backup overwrites the tape (if the overwrite protection time is up)

You must allow only OVERWRITE. Or be prepared to use additional tapes.

-SQLBill

 

[jnetfulton]

SQLBill,

Thanks for the speedy response. As mentioned in my post, right now I'm using new tapes. Fresh out of the wrapping with no data. Do I need to do something other than lable them when they are new?

Thanks

 

[XtremeDawg]

We are doing a full backup with the option set to overwrite. I am going to upgrade the firmware and the diagnostics tools and go from there.