Backup exec 12.5 not using full tape capacity

First thought is that your Used Capacity is showing that the media has used it's native 200GB (195GB anyway) capacity.

The Data count is reporting how much actual data is backed up - which means something is adding header or other metadata information that is using the remaining space. Are you backuping up any special types of data, or using Compression and Encryption in the same job?

Hey craven,

You're getting no compression, and it might not be needed. So it's a 1:1 scenario. THat's why you're not getting over 200GB.
If you are spanning 2 tapes, check your compression on your device, and make sure that it's using compression.
Check:

Tools --> Options --> Job Defaults --> Backup --> Compression type: Hardware (if available, otherwise none). 

I'm using no encryption and compression is set to "Hardware (if available, otherwise software). I don't specifically need it to be compressed but i do need it to fill up the tape closer to 200 Gb. I'm also not backing up any special types of data. Just regular office files, graphic files and some videos and stuff. But nothing to out of the ordinary. 

If your jobs are succeeding, and you're happy that all your data is getting backed up, I don't think there is much you can do until you start adding more in your selection list, or data gets added to the current folders.
Have a look at a couple of job logs and contrast them against each other. Check to see whether 1 job leaves out information vs. another job. If not, then there isn't much else you can do.
You will never get additional compression on data that's already compressed.

After Looking at the details that you mentioned in your scenario :

Below  suggestions should help you isolate if its the issue /some settings that needs to altered  in
-- Backup Exec software
-- Sony Hardware
-- Sony Tape

For your Hardware:
- Sony lib162 robotic tape drive
- Sony AIT tapes (200/500 uncompressed/compressed)

*from OS Windows Device Manager please make sure  -- under Tape DRIVE - The drivers for tape drive are of Symantec & are latest

Download & Install if needed:
326586: be2213R326004_32bit_326586.exe  Backup Exec 12.5 for Windows Servers revision 2213 hotfix 326004, Device Driver Installer DDI20090615 (June 15th, 2009) - 32bit download.
 http://support.veritas.com/docs/326586

326587: be2213R326004_x64bit_326587.exe  Backup Exec 12.5 for Windows Servers revision 2213 hotfix 326004, Device Driver Installer DDI20090615 (June 15th, 2009) - 64bit download.
 http://support.veritas.com/docs/326587

You mentioned   Software:    - BE 12.5D evaluation (up to date)  &   W2k8 standard (up to date)

>>>>
Once the the drivers part is udpated.
Next Step, would be to check TAPE capacity

Considering that all  data that can be backed up is of  size  is of 170 Gb SIZE only (ie data available for backup)

a) Run Job1 and let tape fill 110 and 170 Gb - then --> Run same job  with same selection list (With Append on media )  - This should ADD Data to the Tape that was used earlier  and once the job completes you could surely see if that CAPACITY of TAPE is reached or not
If you reach MAX or more limit than 200gb then its fine - You are done with your research
   (From now on : Just make sure that APPEND media is used in all jobs)
Else - try to implement   'Step b)'

b) Other next way around - to check CAPACITY of TAPE is -- use Windows Backup & see if this software can use the Media to full Extent of 200Gb or more

This overall should help you isolate the prob.

 Some links that could be of your help :-

http://support.veritas.com/docs/297830     Symantec Backup Exec (TM) 12 for Windows Servers Administrator's Guide (English)

http://support.veritas.com/docs/237374  An explanation of the "Overwrite Protection Period" and the "Append Period

http://support.veritas.com/docs/192265  The basics of Advanced Device and Media Management for Backup Exec for Windows Servers

sorry for the late reply, i only work 2 days a week.

Thanks for the replies. I'm testing them as we speak.
When i get some info i'll post back here.

edit: option a didn't work. i'll try option b next tuesday and i'll read your links.

both options a and b didn't work.

Strangely the backup that ran this weekend did show a single tape which took about 220gb... So it was even compressed to some extent. But all the other tapes still showed no more than 170gb per tape.

Going to try and see if there's something wrong with the tape drive now. Can't access it though. Because nobody has the password.... The guy that configured it is gone. Can't find the exact model number either. I wish they'd make some more documentation...

Hello. I'm experiencing the same problem on two different systems with different hardware and different software versions.

System 1:
-> HP ProLiant ML350 (W2K3 SP2)
-> HP Storageworks 1x8 G2 LTO3 (Firmware upgraded 01-11-2009)
-> Backup Exec 11d

System 2:
-> HP ProLiant ML 350 G (W2K3 SP2)
-> HP StorageWorks  1x8 G2 LTO4 (Firmware upgraded 01-11-2009)
-> Backup Exec 12.5

19.10.2009 Upgraded from version 10 to 11d in the two systems at once. Big mistake. From that moment has not returned to work.

30-10.2009 Upgrades one server server to version 12.5. The problem persists.

Check multiple things without effect.

--> Next steps
----->change drivers from symantec to HP
----->back to version 10
----->not be a fool and try things out before putting them into production

i've setup the backup now to first erase the tapes and clean it. Maybe this will do something good this weekend. Still trying to get the password for the tapedrive or reset it.

it seems to be slowly going in the right direction. This weekend 2 disks were above 200gb. Strange though. I didn't really change anything to the backup configuration. Just setting the erase, clean and inventory jobs... I'm happy as far as the backups go right now but does anyone have a clue what happened?