Slow Netware Client Backup

[AlexChao]

We use BrightStor ARCserver Backup r11.1 in a new implementation.

We backup many Windows, Netware and SuSE Linux clients over a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet backup LAN. As such, all clients are installed with a Gigabit Ethernet network adapter, and set to 1000 Mbps Full Duplex. The Windows backup server backups all the clients via a SAN consisting of StorageTek SL500 with LTO2 Ultrium drives.

Tests shown that all it took to backup a 250GB Windows 2003 client over the backup LAN is around 3.5 hours at around 1,300 MB/min.

As for Netware, the speed was much slower, 400 MB/min. As such, took about 10 hours to backup 250 GB. I have checked the network adapter setting and confirmed that it was correctly set to 1000 Mbps Full Duplex.

What else can I check in the Netware server to improve the backup throughput?

 

[jfp23]

We have basically the same problem only slower than 400mb/min and have an open case with CA and have as yet found anything to improve the time

 

[AlexChao]

Hi jfp23,

Do you have Open File agent installed in your Netware client also? We have....

Yesterday, we installed BABr11.1 in another Netware client of similar model. We threw in also 250GB to see if the throughput performance would be similarly 10 hours. Will check when I get to office.

Meanwhile, do let me know what your CA Support had advised. We would probably open a case with CA if the performance is the same.

 

[jfp23]

we do have the open file agent loaded. all that CA has given us so far has been some minor tweaking in set commands, the bti.cfg file, and updating the tsas to the latest versions...

 

[AlexChao]

We setup another Netware client yesterday and loaded 250GB to it.

We tested the backup and found that the throughput is about the same as the first Netware server...400 MB/min.

In another words, both Netware client consistently deliver only 400 MB/min of backup throughput. What can you say about restore then? This is not acceptable to us !

 

[davidmichel]

What is the real life throughput of the network?

 

[sanbe03]

you should try to copy a folder to determine the throughtput between windows and netware.

 

[jfp23]

the lan isn't the problem, at least not in my case on a gigbit network

 

[AlexChao]

Yesterday, we did a FTP transfer of 1GB file from the Netware Client to a Windows Client via the Gigabit Ethernet Backup LAN. The results were as follow:

Total time taken - 36.03 sec @ 29102 KB/sec (Test run 1)
Total time taken - 36.33 sec @ 28864 KB/sec (Test run 2)

That would mean it will take around 1 hour to transfer 100GB of data over the dedicated Gigabit Ethernet backup LAN.

Like I mentioned, the Windows clients with BABr11.1 could complete a 250GB backup within 2.5 hours in this same Gigabit Ethernet backup LAN. Therefore, I must conclude that the problem lies in either the Netware 6.0 SP5 operating system, or, the BABr11.1 Client Agent.

 

[AlexChao]

Like to provide an update on this case and hope that someone could share their solution if any.

Yesterday, I threw-in two files of 1 GB size each into the SYS:\Tmp\Bak folder of the Netware file server. I then configure a backup job to backup just this folder. The backup throughput acheived was 1,330 MB/min.

However, the last weekend backup of the entire Netware server was only 450 MB/min.

Anyone knows how to speed-up the backup of an entire Netware server ?

 

[davidmichel]

virus detection software should be set to scan incoming files only.

Directory Cache buffers min. and max. should be increased. If they peak throughput drops through the floor.

There are some other setting but I don't remember them. Check supportconnect.ca.com under the tech docs there is one on it.

However the biggest thing as your test has show is file size. Backup of lots of small files will be much slower and there is nothing you can do about it. Each file has overhead, lots of small files = lots of overhead.

 

[paranth]

Hi,

On the Netware server

1. Please turn OFF the below parameters.

# Load monitor !H

TCP Nagle Algorithm - OFF
TCP Delayed Acknowledgement - OFF

2. Perform a windows copy operation from Netware server to the backup (windows) server...say for eg..copy some 1gb data from netware to windows backup server drive and note down the time and calculate the speed..if this around 1gb/min then it is the Netware agent issue.

3. In the backup option -> select " Use lock mode if deny write fails" for the netware backups.

Cheers

Paranth