Do a "q stg"  when this happens and see what the "Pct Util" and Pct Migr" is 
for the disk storage pools in question.  If Pct Util is anywhere near say 90% 
when a bunch of clients are sending data then some of them WILL start trying to 
go directly to tape.

Why you say?  Example: you have 10GB storage pool that is 90% full.  2 clients 
each start to send a new 1 GB file.  Immeadiately the Pct Util would be 
theoretically 110% as space is allocated for the size of the file, but it will 
take some time for the file to be completely transfered.  

So one of them will not be able to get it's space as we can't be over 100% and 
it will therefore attempt to go directly to tape.   Ciomplictate this with many 
clients and many different size files (And probably a few fudge factors) and 
you will get these results.

We have seen backups start to go to tape when our stg pool was about 90% + full 
with a handfull of clients sending 2GB files.

If you are getting about 90% full anytime then you probably need to either:

1.  Spread out the backups so not as many machines are going to the server at 
once.

2. Increase the disk space available to the disk storage pools that are being 
filled.


David B. Longo
System Administrator
Health First, Inc.
3300 Fiske Blvd.
Rockledge, FL 32955-4305
PH      321.434.5536
Pager  321.634.8230
Fax:    321.434.5525
david.longo AT health-first DOT org


>>> rdearm1 AT UIC DOT EDU 04/04/01 03:01PM >>>
I run my backups at night around 10:30pm.  I have around 50 servers doing
incrementals concurrently at this time.  I noticed that about half are
experiencing MEDIAW when I do a "q session".  They seem to be waitng to for
a tape to load in my library for them to write to but the storage pool that
these clients write to first is disk based then when it fills to 90% it
should migrate to tape.  My question is, if they are suppose to be going to
disk storage pool first and it isn't full then why are they waiting for
tape.  Which is what I am assuming is happening.

Thanks
Richard
***************************EMAIL  DISCLAIMER**************************
This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may be confidential and are
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.   If you are not the intended recipient or the individual
responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, any
disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken
in reliance on it, is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this e-mail
in error, please delete it and notify the sender or contact Health
Information  Management (312) 996-3941.



"MMS <health-first.org>" made the following
 annotations on 04/04/01 15:51:47
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
This message is for the named person's use only.  It may contain This message 
is for the named person's use only.  It may contain confidential, proprietary, 
or legally privileged information.  No confidentiality or privilege is waived 
or lost by any mistransmission.  If you receive this message in error, please 
immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard 
copies of it, and notify the sender.  You must not, directly or indirectly, 
use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are 
not the intended recipient.  Health First reserves the right to monitor all 
e-mail communications through its networks.  Any views or opinions expressed in 
this message are solely those of the individual sender, except (1) where the 
message states such views or opinions are on behalf of a particular entity;  
and (2) the sender is authorized by the entity to give such views or opinions.

==============================================================================