NetBackup Performance Tuning Number 2

When we talk about performance issues a couple of things immediately come to mind.  Probably first is making sure the expectations are realistic.  Then we start the search for the bottleneck.  There is always a bottleneck.  Sometimes it will be a fast bottleneck but it is still there and you must know where it is before you can do anything else.  Once you know where the bottleneck is you will know what your options are to increase performance and you will also have a very good idea what your expectations should really be.    

There is not real rocket science involved in locating the bottleneck.  It really just involves being systematic, keeping good notes, and having a good plan.  There are several places where there is documentation to help with this process including the NetBackup 6.5 Backup Planning and Performance Tuning Guide (updated October 1, 2008) which is available on the Symantec support website at http://seer.entsupport.symantec.com/docs/307083.htm.  There are also copies of the NetBackup performance tuning sessions at the last Vision conferences available on the Symantec Technology Network website. 

The key here is to start at the client disk and determine the maximum data transfer rates possible all the way to the final destination.  It is best to use OS tools or some of the freeware tools available to measure each phase.  This would include the speed the client disk and provide data, the speed the client system can make the data available to the network, the actual transfer rate across the network to the media server, the rate the media server can process the data and make it available to the tape or disk, and the rate the final destination can consume the data being provided. More later.  If you would like more details on any of the bottleneck steps or the tools and utilities, let me know and I can provide them.