Arcserve 2000 with Windows 2000 Problem

[kntry4ever]

Having major problems with Arcserve 2000 and Windows 2000.

My old setup:

Barebones box with PIII-733, 512MB ram, Adaptec 29160 SCSI card, 10GB IDE HDD, ECRIX VXA1 Autopak 2x15 tape library and Arcserve 2000 all running on NT4 Server w/SP6A as backup server. I would backup from approx 6NT4 & 3 W2K servers, 4 running NT client agent, 1 running SQL agent, and 4 running through network share. Getting 150mb/min-350 mb/min throughput. Cisco 6506 switch running auto/auto 100/full duplex and 3C982 nic w/xmit&rcv load balancing between both ports & running auto/auto 100/full duplex on all clients. Ran great.

My new setup:

Dell Poweredge 4400 with dual Xeon 733, 1GB ram, Adaptec 29160, Adaptec 2940U2W, 3-18gb SCSI HDD Raid5, ECRIX VXA1 Autopak 2x15 tape library and Arcserve 2000 all running on Windows 2000 Advance Server w/SP3 as backup server. I backup from approx 6NT4 & 3 W2K servers, 4 running NT client agent, 1 running SQL agent, and 4 running through network share. Getting 80mb/min-160 mb/min throughput. Cisco 6506 switch running manual 100/full duplex for two backup server ports and 3C982 dual port nic w/xmit&rcv load balancing between both ports & running manual 100/full duplex on both backup server ports.

Not sure what else to do. Even backing up from the local server has went from 220-280MB/min to 150MB/min. Arcserve is managing backup drives, not RSM. Have disabled RSM, no effect. Also have Dell OpenManage server agent, server administrator, and Adaptec CI/O management loaded, not luck. Disabled all Dell programs, no luck. Have latest Ecrix Windows 2000 driver loaded on backup server.

At my wits end. Not sure what else to do but have to come up with a solution fast.

 

[ARCserveGuru]

What is the tape device connected to? The adaptec 29160?

g

 

[kntry4ever]

Sorry, yes, the 29160.

 

[vmaxin]

I know this problem. I have the same!
The fix is very simple. The original Drivers from Microsoft for adaptec is limited to the Speed 160 MByte per min.

Install the Adaplec Driver for the SCSI Adaptec an it will fix this speed Problem!

 

[ARCserveGuru]

Ahhhh purple star for you if this woprks vmaxin...

g

 

[kntry4ever]

vmaxin !!!,

Thanks for the help. After your post, I remembered Windows Update installed an updated driver for the 29160 from Microsoft. Another black eye for them. Had a hunch this weekend and downloaded the Adaptec driver. It was the last thing I hadn't replaced. That and a reinstall of Arcserve. Then with your post, I said what the heck. As soon as I rebooted from the Adaptec install, backups started to rock. Talk about being in awe.

Sort of wish our command had the money for the new Ecrix VXA-2 drives. Double the speed, double the capacity. If anyone is looking for a cost effective and extremely reliable and fast backup tape drive, I highly recommend the Ecrix VXA drives. We initially had a single external SE scsi drive, then purchased an additional lvd external. Then with increased funding, bought their rack mount/standalone tape library "Autopak". It included one or two internal drives and a 1x15 or 2x30 magazine. Very pleased. We have used their drives for about 1 1/2 years now and nothing but stellar performance. Their tech support is very helpful, knowledgeable, and even help with some third party servers and backup software issues.

Thanks again for your help. Things are once again peaceful until the next "emergency".