Some notes on design of backup infrastructure:

When using backup infrastructure such as NetBackup, there are several
components that affect backup rates:
- The ability of the system being backed up (the client) to supply data;
- The capacity of the data path between the client and the media server or
the backup device;
- The capacity of the servers running the backup software, including the
media server, the master server and communication between them;
- The capacity of the path to the backup device (tape or disk), and finally;
- The capacity of the backup device itself.

When designing the dynamics a backup infrastructure, an engineer should
quantify the capacity of all these components, aggregating any planned
simultaneous use of any of these limiting factors. 

NetBackup, in particular, has ways to use underutilized devices, like
multiplexing with tape drives. 

An initial scenario should be worked out where each of these components are
assigned an "expected capacity" based on manufacturer's or industry
specification, measured capacity, as well as experience. This is where
experience with system capacity comes into play.  Don't forget, that even if
backup is done in the middle of the night, there may be other processing in
the common infrastructure that will consume capacity.

Use techniques such as "infinite capacity loading", mathematically expanding
variable capacity sources to find areas of uncertainty and bottlenecks.

The initial scenario should be reviewed and an implementation planned. When
planning your implementation, don't forget to "hedge" areas of uncertainty
with "what will we do if" to deal with unexpected results in areas of
uncertainty and risk. For example, if you find that networking is a
bottleneck, "add additional NICs on the media server" would be your
reaction.

If you need some specific help, this is what I do for a living.

Mickey Baker
Fort Lauderdale, FL

-----Original Message-----
From: veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
[mailto:veritas-bu-admin AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu] On Behalf Of WEAVER, 
Simon
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 6:41 AM
To: 'Atif Munir'
Cc: veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
Subject: RE: [Veritas-bu] backup speed


Thank you!
How is the backup policy configured - Do you use streaming perhaps?
Multiplexing the job over certain number of drives will help.

Let me know and will see if we can help! What sort of throughput are you
currently getting my friend. For example, if you backup 200GB of Data, how
long does that take?

Thank you

Simon Weaver 
Technical Support 
Windows Domain Administrator 

EADS Astrium 
Tel: 02392-708598 

Email: Simon.Weaver AT Astrium.eads DOT net 



-----Original Message-----
From: Atif Munir [mailto:atif76 AT gmail DOT com] 
Sent: 20 March 2006 11:35
To: WEAVER, Simon
Cc: veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
Subject: Re: [Veritas-bu] backup speed


Thanks Simon.

The client is SF6900 with 12X1200 processors with Solaris 9
The backup is carried out in night...
yes both client and server are on the same lan.
they are configured on a seperate vlan (dedicated for backup)

On 3/20/06, WEAVER, Simon <simon.weaver AT astrium.eads DOT net> wrote:
>
> ~Hi
> What sort of clients are you backing up?
> Are they running AV software on them?
> Does any of them run intensive disk I/O on them?
> Are they on the same LAN
> How are they configured on the Network.
>
> A lot of questions, which if you can answer on the list may help to 
> isolate the issue or issues
>
> Simon Weaver
> Technical Support
> Windows Domain Administrator
>
> EADS Astrium
> Tel: 02392-708598
>
> Email: Simon.Weaver AT Astrium.eads DOT net
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Atif Munir [mailto:atif76 AT gmail DOT com]
> Sent: 20 March 2006 10:57
> To: veritas-bu AT mailman.eng.auburn DOT edu
> Subject: [Veritas-bu] backup speed
>
>
> I have a gigabit ethernet. Recently i have installed 5 LTO Gen 3 
> drives. But I am not getting a very good speed. As a total I am 
> getting 100Mb/sec, and it take a lot of time to finish my backup.
>
> Why I could not get a good speed.
>
> Regards,
> atif
>
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This email is for the intended addressee only.
If you have received it in error then you must not use, retain, disseminate
or otherwise deal with it.
Please notify the sender by return email.
The views of the author may not necessarily constitute the views of EADS
Astrium Limited.
Nothing in this email shall bind EADS Astrium Limited in any contract or
obligation.

EADS Astrium Limited, Registered in England and Wales No. 2449259
Registered Office: Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2AS,
England
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