Based on your config I'm guessing you're having trouble completing the
backup stg operations due to the fact that you get a single large
process running to a single tape drive (or tape to tape) and that's
taking too long.

I would suggest using the copystg parameter on the primary tape pool and
have that large database go directly to the primary and copy pool tapes
simultaneously.  That will eliminate the need to do the backup stg
tapepool copypool operation during daily processing.  I would also
backup stg diskpool copypool before I migrate.  Again, the goal, I
assume, is to get the backup stg operations completed as early as
possible.

So in summary:

1. Large stuff goes directly to tapepool with copystgpool set to
copypool.  You have plenty of tape drives so there should not be any
conflict during the backup.
2. backup stg diskpool copypool maxproc=10 (or whatever) first thing or
maybe even start this during the backup window (careful with that as
that can slow the performance of client backups and the backup stg
operation).
3. Simultaneous with that, backup stg tapepool copypool (just in case
something when afoul).
4. backup db
5. prepare
6. Then do the migrations and other housekeeping chores.

With the number of tape drives you have, I'm thinking with this
rearrangement you should be able to get the work done.  I don't think a
VTL would help you anyway!  Sorry about that you hardware sellers!

Thanks, 


Kelly J. Lipp
VP Manufacturing & CTO
STORServer, Inc.
485-B Elkton Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
719-266-8777
lipp AT storserver DOT com

-----Original Message-----
From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU] On Behalf Of
Nancy L Backhaus
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 1:20 PM
To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
Subject: [ADSM-L] Survey Question for Virtual Tape Users: What Vendors
are you using for Virtual Tape?

Background:
Tivoli Storage Manager Extended Edition 5.3.2.2 Op System AIX 5.3 ML 3
Nightly Backup 2 -2 1/2 TB Library - ADIC I2000 Scalar
18 LTO Tape Drives
LTO 2 Tapes
600 slots
Clients - 135 (Wintel)
AIX -26 (Sybase, SQL, and DB2)

We are looking into Virtual Tape Technology for our environment.    1
1/2s
TB data first backs up to disk then to onsite tape then we make a backup
of our onsite tape to a copy stgpool and store those tapes offsite  for
disaster recovery.    The other 1 TB of data is a DB2 database that we
back up directly to onsite tape and of course make a copy of the onsite
tape to offsite tape for disaster recovery.   We can't get our backups
done and out the door to meet our RTO objective.     We are looking to
add
a VTL and reduce our tape drive and slot capacity in a new library  to
offset some of the cost for a virtual tape library.    We would like to
also take advantage of collocation and setup library sharing too.


I would like to know what vendors you are using for virtual tape?

Pros/Cons(Any regrets, Success Stories).



Thank You.


Nancy Backhaus
Enterprise Systems
(716)887-7979
HealthNow, NY
716-887-7979

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