Software Compression drops

[BPO]

NT Server 4.0 w/ ArcServe 6.0 engine and SP1 (or higher) saving to DLT 35/70 hardware compression supported and set drives.

In the usually successful full server backups, I get about 58GB written to tape. Hardware compression is on and set (2.0 to 1). I realize I cannot compress already zipped files and the like, so not optimal 70 GB to tape. However, I don't understand why the software compression in the logs show a declining ratio from a start of about 1.75 down to 1.6. Does the software compression over rule the hardware compression as I believe? Can I do anything to sustain or raise the software compression? Many thanks!

 

[caspa11]

Arcserve software compression does not overrule hardware compression. If hardware compression is detected on the drive then software compression is disabled by Arcserve.
The declining ration may simply be due to the way files are arranged on the disk.
Check the job log session by session and see what each "drive" compresses like.