Backup Exec Completes successfully but no files found on the tape

[CA1281211]

I have a Dell Poweredge 2800 server running Windows 2003 server, an external HP storageworks Ultrium 460 tape drive connected via an Adaptec 29160 SCSI card. I am using Veritas Backup Exec for windows servers version 9.1 rev 4691 and everything looked fine.

BE runs on schedule and the backups complete successfully. I checked on yesterday and cd not find any data on the tape. I checked a few more and realised that al the tapes used over the last 3 weeks since the installation are blank. The BE logs show successful backup and verification, the BE database assumes successful completion, except when it comes to restore the data - it asks for the right tape but ther files do not exists.

I obviously need to solve this before it becomes and issue - any ideas?

[Lewis Finch]

Since you've only had it 3 weeks I suspect configuration issues. Lots of questions.
How much data do you back up? How long does it take? do you have a terminator on the back of the drive? what is your block size in BE? here are 2 sites that can help. Library and tape tools for testing your drive. http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ltt/index.html
A performance tuning doc to help as well.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=lpg50460

[CA1281211]

we back up 190Gb data, from 3 drives, it seems a bit quick for an adaptec 29160 card

Backed up 88309 files in 8700 directories.
Processed 186,074,013,944 bytes in 1 hour, 56 minutes, and 48 seconds.
Throughput rate: 1519 MB/min

Backed up 10665 files in 1298 directories.
Processed 1,372,009,481 bytes in 1 minute and 56 seconds.
Throughput rate: 677 MB/min

Backed up 22967 files in 1719 directories.
Processed 3,659,429,824 bytes in 6 minutes and 49 seconds.
Throughput rate: 512 MB/min


I have a terminator on the back of the drive - not sure on BE block size

I did download storageworks test software and when it ran it blue screened the server.
is the test software opsys sensitive?

[Lewis Finch]

your drive is running extremely slow. take a good look at the performance doc I sent you. also the Ultrium is self terminating so take off the terminator. The cable connects to the port labeled "IN" and you should see a green light come one. BE block size is set through the configuration/options tab and should be set to at least 64k.
LTT should not be blue screening your system, are you running it in NT miniport mode?

[CA1281211]

Yes I was running in NT miniport mode and I did have a terminator on.
I removed the terminator and the self terminating green light is active.

I found a BE fix SP2 which seems to sort the no data on tape issue, issues 68638/265701/220414 all seem to be relevant to this installation. Ran into a few problems - installed Mcafee Protection Pilot which screwed up BE SP2 installation, had to repair the original installation of BE and ran SP2 patch again.. and it seems to have worked - thanks for the help.

I am concerned that the Adaptec 29160 is too slow for this drive so I will swap it out soon.