LTO2 Compression Issues

skinnyl · 8 Jul 2014 at 17:08

Hi all,

Bit of a headscratcher!

We're running an internal LTO2 drive in BackupExec 2012.. under normal operation with existing tapes we're filling the tape to 180gb~ with a 1.6:1 compression ratio.

A few tapes started producing RW issues continually so I ordered some new tapes to replace them..

Problem is.. on the new tapes I'm getting no compression? so they're topping out before capacity - one made it to 104gb and one made it to 160gb before asking for a new tape. Each time I check the media properties on the failed jobs the compression is 1.0:1.

Just wanted to check that I'm not missing something with adding in new tapes to the system? It feels like the new tapes might just be rubbish, however, feeling a bit inexperienced I could do with some pointers!

Had a google and found a locked symantec thread with no resolve.

Thanks in advance.

ace-rimmer · 8 Jul 2014 at 18:40

with one of your new tapes it mite be worth running the manufacturers assessment test to see if there's actually something wrong with the drive first.

skinnyl · 8 Jul 2014 at 21:28

Thank you, a good start.

I think I've found the program - any specific test I need to look for or just 'tape assessment test'/similar?

Cheers.

ace-rimmer · 9 Jul 2014 at 09:00

hi

if it a HP drive the test will be called LTO drive assessment test, if its an ibm you can just click test and it should run the standard tape tape.

skinnyl · 9 Jul 2014 at 11:29

Great, found it and started testing tapes.

Thanks again.

ace-rimmer · 9 Jul 2014 at 16:52

just so you know the test doesn't test tapes it tests the drive and will overwrite any data on the tape though it will warn you. so if you put a new tape in and shows there an issue you know you have a drive problem.