Certance STDL62401LW problems with Veritas 10 1

[SQLScholar]

Hey all,

Being a backup novice - we got some contractors to come in and "install" a new backup device mid last year.

It has never been quite right, and i am not quite sure what to do.

The drive is a Certance STDL62401LW external drive, with 6 DDS-4 150M/20GB tape slots.

Firstly it never realises that you have changed tapes. Each morning when the tapes are swapped we have to go onto the server, and inventory the tapes. Surely veritas should know that the cartridge has been removed and replaced.

Secondly if we reboot the server, the drive is seen as offline. Once we force it online, it seems to function ok - other then the issues posted.

Lastly - and most annoyingly. Each day we run a complete backup (no incrementals). The time this takes each day is either circa 9 Hours (most days) but on occation (around once a week - no specific day/tapes) it takes circa 16 hours. No idea why, but this seems to be VERY different in timescale.

Many thanks for all your time,

Dan

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There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
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No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[SQLScholar]

Would it help if i were to post the Diags?

It is a huge file and i dont know what would be useful.

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There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
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No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[steveot]

What kind of SCSI controller is it attached to ?

 

[SQLScholar]

Seems to be an

adaptec PCI SCSI controller called
AIC-788X/AHA2940UW PRO

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There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
----------------------------------------
No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[steveot]

Do you see Event ID 9, 11, 7, 15 in System log.
I dont think that card is the Ideal card for your library.

Have you confirmed with Certance that that is a compatible card.

 

[SQLScholar]

We are getting regular 9`s and 15`s.

In terms of compatibility no idea. The device was installed (along with the card) by an external company that we no longer deal with.

I know the company we dealt with had spoken to Certance about our issue, so i presume the card is compatable - might be worth a check.

Is there a SCSI PCI card you could recommed us that is compatable?

Anything else i should do?? Thanks ever so much for your time - this is really useful.

Dan

----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
----------------------------------------
No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[steveot]

Well your issues are from the Event ID 9. 15. If you look into them they are probably reporting errors with the library/scsi card/drive.

I think you problems will go away if you install a Adaptec 39160 controller and place the unit on that.

This would explain you inventory, drive offline, etc. The event ID basically say you losing communication to the tape device or its not talking to it right.

 

[SQLScholar]

Yep thats exactly what they report.

Thank you again.

Dan

----------------------------------------
There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
----------------------------------------
No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[SQLScholar]

actually there is a second SCSI driver installed which is Adaptec AIC-7901 - ultra 320 SCSI.

Any ideas if this will help. Sorry my SCSI knowledge is limited.

Dan

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There are 2 types of computer, the prototype and the obsolete!!
----------------------------------------
No D, just plank - and its not my fault

 

[steveot]

If the drive is attached the ultra320 then enter the SCSI bios and lower the transfer rate to 160mb/min on the port the drive is attached to.