Througput Arcserve 2000, NT Network 1

[Canadianweasel]

I've tried to find some documentation on increasing throughput, but have only been able to find Netware related docs, since we don't run Netware...this doesn't seem to help.

Recently I installed Arcserve 2000 with SP2 on our NT server, and the speed has decreased over the somewhat poor showing with 6.61AE had. I need to find a way to tweak the performance so the backups will fit into the backup window.

The configuration of the network (which relates to our backup system) is as follows.

Backup Server is NT 4.0 with SP6a, 2GB memory and an alarmingly low amount of free disk space. Arcserve 2000 with SP2. The server (and I did not set it up) also runs Lotus Notes and some basic file services. 100 meg link directly through a 3COM core switch (soon to be replaced, 1GB on Cisco core).

Tape library is a Exabyte 440 with 4 Mammoth-2 drives.

Other servers, about 10, range from low end dual pentiums to systems near what the backup server is running, yet it seems to make little difference to the throughput levels.

Secondarily, since we're only running on trial versions of Arcserve 2000, we're not yet committed to continuing with Arcserve. I realize this is a Arcserve forum, but anyone have any recommendations on an alternative to Arcserve or where I might find a good comparison of what is available?

Thanks

 

[jimpames]

Hi,
Please check your PHYSICAL MEMORY vs. COMMIT CHARGE, AS THE BACKUP JOB IS ACTIVE. If commit chg. is bigger than physical - THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM.

Otherwise - Do you mean slow performance of a LOCAL backup vs. over-the-network backup or SAN backup?

What is your speed in MB/min?

Are you using agents?

Tell me more about your hardware.

Regards,
Jim P. Ames
True Data Storage Networks
Arcserve Service
Data Protection and Recovery
212.352.1780

http://www.truedatacorp.com

 

[Canadianweasel]

To belatedly answer the questions.

1. The over-the-network backup is slow at about 20mbpm. The local backup is about 300.

2. Yes, agents are being used. Arcserve agent for NT/2000, Lotus Notes Agent and Oracle Agent (where applicable).

3. The virus checking is turned on. I'd like to keep it on, and I can't imagine it having a big performance hit on throughput, but I've been wrong before.

4. Oh, and I'm not familiar with this COMMIT CHG of which you speak. Any more description of that available?

First off here. Since we're still in the trial period of 2000, we're not committed to sticking with it. So my question now would be, if it's worth taking things to Arcserve 2000, or return to 6.61. If I could manage to get 2K running at optimum, would the performance gain be worth the time, effort and cost of upgrading. As well as the reliability factor.

The box the Arcserve is on also serves as our Lotus Notes server (this will be changed when I get the chance). It has 2 GB of memory. Notes takes up a sizeable chunk of this because, well, it's just the way Notes operates. Lately, however, it would see that Arcserve wants a bit of this action. Every so often, the server (NT4.0SP6) will notify us that it's low on virtual memory. A check of what is using what tells me that tapesrv.exe is using in upwards of half a gig of memory. I'm thinking this just isn't right. Any ideas?

Arcserve 2000 is using SP2 and one other patch whom I can't recall right now.

Thanks.

 

[jimpames]

Hello,
Please try the following suggestions:

1. The over-the-network backup is slow at about 20mbpm. The local backup is about 300.

Check the NIC settings - set the backup server (your Notes/Arcserve machine) and the server you're backing up to 100 Mb/half duplex. Ensure that the SWITCH ports for your Ethernet are set to 100 Mb/half duplex for these two network connections.

2. Yes, agents are being used. Arcserve agent for NT/2000, Lotus Notes Agent and Oracle Agent (where applicable).

This is fine. Please make sure you have applied the SP2 agent patches, which do not auto-install with the BASE SP2.

3. The virus checking is turned on. I'd like to keep it on, and I can't imagine it having a big performance hit on throughput, but I've been wrong before.

STOP the virus scanner service BEFORE the backup so you can find out if it is part of the problem.

4. Oh, and I'm not familiar with this COMMIT CHG of which you speak. Any more description of that available?

Right-click the TIME on the bottom right of the screen and choose task-manager, click the performance tab, compare the "physical memory - total" to the "commit charge - peak". If the commit charge peak is more than physical RAM total, you need to add more memory to the server. Performance will suffer is there is not enough RAM.

5. First off here. Since we're still in the trial period of 2000, we're not committed to sticking with it. So my question now would be, if it's worth taking things to Arcserve 2000, or return to 6.61. If I could manage to get 2K running at optimum, would the performance gain be worth the time, effort and cost of upgrading. As well as the reliability factor.

Arcserve 2000 is an excellent product and I recommend it over 6.61.

6. The box the Arcserve is on also serves as our Lotus Notes server (this will be changed when I get the chance). It has 2 GB of memory. Notes takes up a sizeable chunk of this because, well, it's just the way Notes operates. Lately, however, it would see that Arcserve wants a bit of this action. Every so often, the server (NT4.0SP6) will notify us that it's low on virtual memory. A check of what is using what tells me that tapesrv.exe is using in upwards of half a gig of memory. I'm thinking this just isn't right. Any ideas?

Arcserve 2000 dynamically allocates memory - I do not recommend sharing Arcserve with your Notes server.

7. Arcserve 2000 is using SP2 and one other patch whom I can't recall right now.

Please read the following patches carefully and apply the ones that are appropriate for your environment:

http://support.ca.com/Download/patches/arcserve2000.html

Please call me in the office if you need additional assistance.

Regards,



Jim P. Ames
True Data Storage Networks
Arcserve Service
Data Protection and Recovery
212.352.1780

http://www.truedatacorp.com

 

[Electro]

Hey Weasel,

I just read you post and I think your problems may be somewhat easy to repair.

1) I'm assuming since you were using Arcserve 6.61 and had good throughput before that your network settings are correct. Jim made a previous indication to change your duplex settings to all half duplex. This is NOT required (Full Duplex is fine) - however, I believe what he is trying to rule out is any mis-matched duplex settings anywhere on your network between servers. I have seen this before where some users forgot about a hub somewhere along the line (which does not run full duplex) and drags done the overall speed due to mis-matched duplex. Just ensure that all your settings are the same duplex from start to end point.

2) Try the following tech article from CA regarding improving ArcserveIT performance. This has helped a lot of users in the past:

http://support.ca.com/techbases/asnt/16005.html

Let me know if I can help further.

Thanks,

Darryl Brambilla
EDS Canada
Darryl.Brambilla@eds.com

 

[Canadianweasel]

I appreciate the responses.

To update:

I moved the backup library to another server and the throughput is now acceptable.

However, new problems have arrived in the form of ASJOBRUN errors with the server reporting that the system is running low on virtual memory. Virtual memory is set at about a gig and physical memory is a gig.


So far the trial period of Arcserve 2000 has been disasterous and I've been far from impressed. I cannot trust that a backup will have been finished when I arrive in the morning. I've even had CA extend the trial period.

It may be time to try something else, or go back to 6.61 which is really only an option due to the financial considerations.