RE: SBS 2003 SP2 / DLT compression?

Hello Annon,

Thank you for posting here, and thanks for Michael's inputs.

According to your description, I understand that the tape drive (Travan)
cannot compress backup data to tapes. If I have misunderstood the problem,
please don't hesitate to let me know.

First, I want to set expectation that it's third party related issue. If we
narrow down this is hardware issue, you have to contact your hardware
vendor for further assistance.

Based on my research, the windows server 2003 sp2 has new feature about
device drive, some device need to upgrade the driver after install windows
server 2003 sp2. I suggest you contact your tape drive vendor to get the
latest driver for the device and install it to see if we can resolve this
issue.

The NTbackup supports hardware compression, and it is based on the backup
devices. the primary format of tape drives used for backup is digital data
storage (DDS). The two most common tape drives are DDS3, which stores up to
24 gigabytes (GB) of compressed data, and DDS4, which stores up to 40 GB of
compressed data. These tape drives offer the highest ratio of cost to
value. Other media include quarter-inch cartridges (QIC), digital audio
tapes (DAT), 8-millimeter (mm) cassettes, and digital linear tapes (DLT).
High-capacity, high-performance tape drives typically use small computer
system interface (SCSI) controllers. You should have more than enough
capacity to back up the entire server. It is also important to plan for the
future demands of user data.

Hardware compression is turned on by default if you use SBS Backup
(BKPRUNNER.EXE). SBS Backup actually calls NTBACKUP.EXE to do the backup.
SBS Backup passes the following backup script to NTBACKUP.EXE when backing
up to tape:

%windir%\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "@%sbsprogramdir%\Backup\Small
Business Backup Script.bks" /d "Small Business Server Backup created on
%date% at %time%" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /hc:on /m normal /j "Small Business
Server Backup Job" /l:s /p "%Tape library pool%" /UM

Please note the compression rate varies with file types. For example, JPG,
MP3, ZIP files are already compressed and there will probably be no
compression during backup. In certain circumstances, the second compression
will actually INCREASE the file size.

Considering the current status, I suggest you perform an manually ntbackup
test (do not use scheduled task). Click 'Start'->'Run'. Input 'ntbackup'
(without the quotation marks) and press Enter. Follow the ntbackup wizard
to create a new backup task. Use the 'Normal' backup type. Select the same
folders for backup. What's the result of the test?

Please also collect the SBS backup log so that I can help you verify the
previous backup status. Open Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Support\Backup
Logs\. Collect all files; compress the files and then send the package to
me at v-terliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

If probable, please try to install the tape drive on another windows server
(without windows 2003 sp2 is better). Do you get the same issue?

Do you find any event error about backup on SBS?

I appreciate you taking time to perform the tests. If you have any
questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know.

Have a nice day!

Best regards,

Terence Liu(MSFT)

Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support

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--------------------
| From: "Annon" <Annon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
| Subject: SBS 2003 SP2 / DLT compression?
| Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:14:55 +0100
| Lines: 30
| X-Priority: 3
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| X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138
| X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3138
| X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
| Message-ID: <ug2Zhka5HHA.1148@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
| Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
| NNTP-Posting-Host: 77-98-97-86.cable.ubr05.dudl.blueyonder.co.uk
77.98.97.86
| Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl
| Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs:58505
| X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
|
| Help ....
|
| For some reason best know to itself our SBS 2K3 server has decided to
ignore
| the DLT compression - Nothing had been intentionally changed but the
maximum
| Im now getting from a 80GB tape is 42GB (This used to be 55-60). Im
unable
| to pinpoint exactly when the problem occured but it was definately before
| SP2 was applied.
|
| The DLT drive is an external quantum DLT1 VS80 and the drive passes all
the
| diag tests using quatums xTalk console.
|
| Im using standard NTbackup configured via the server management tool but
| I''ve also tried to backup up via ntbackup directly the results are the
| same.
|
| So far I've tried the following :
|
| Cleaned drive / replaced tapes (different brand) / removed & reinstalled
| drivers / resceduled for a different time. I've also been lucky enough to
| have an identical spare quantum drive, this also maxing out at 42GB,
device
| manager shows the drive as compression capable and enabled.
|
| Im a little bit stuck - Im aware of software compression issues with
Travan
| drvies but not DLT. For the time being I've moved the backup onto a USB
| drive and its fine, so Im almost certain its compression on the DLT thats
| the problem. Anyone have any ideas?
|
| TIA
|
|
|

.

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