With all system/OS parameter unchange/consistent, the maximum theoretical backup throughput one can achieve is the speed it backup to device null (i.e. without going through network, media server, etc). You can test it by using the following command at client:

install_path\Netbackup\bin\bpbkar32 -nocont X:\ > NUL

where X is the path being backup.

Take a look at page 77 of Backup Planning and Performance Tuning guide. Its interesting and helpful.

Hi,

I tried running the command on a couple of the servers, but it didn't seem to do anything to be honest...

Haven't looked at the guide yet (Will do so in a bit!)

What is this command supposed to do? Does it report something somewhere?

Manfred,
In practice, don't forget that your backup is only as fast as the weakest link in your device chain (from the client to the master). Ie: OS of the client, NIC of the client, network speed the client is connected on, network speed between the client and master, network speed of the master, NIC of the master, OS of the master, device throughput of the master to its tape drives (SCSI, fibre, etc).

If you have a bottleneck in there somewhere, your backup will suffer.

I would probably not expect to get anywhere near maximum theoretical throughput from a client. There are so many variables to account for.

$0.02

> What is this command supposed to do? Does it report
> something somewhere?

bpbkar32 is responsible of pushing the data from the client to media server. This command would fetch the data from the source (e.g. X:\ ) and direct to device null (i.e. nowhere). In a way it tells you whether there's any disk I/O or filesystem bottleneck if the throughput is slow.

You can get result in the bpbkar log. Check in it for the elapsed time and you should be able to derive the throughput.

Hi Manfred,

Tech note:
http://support.veritas.com/docs/242918

States to use Syntax:
bpbkar32 -nocont F:\ 1> nul 2> nul

Regards,
Dave.

If you just want to test speed from client to server a simple ftp will work.

good tuning forum discussion covers a lot.
http://forums.symantec.com/discussions/thread.jspa...

http://forums.symantec.com/discussions/thread.jspa...

DOCUMENTATION: How to configure buffers for NetBackup
in a Windows NT/2000 environment to improve performance
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/244652.htm

Best practices: 10 basic steps for better backup
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/tip/1,289483,s...

http://support.veritas.com/docs/244652
DOCUMENTATION: How to configure buffers for NetBackup
in a Windows NT/2000 environment to improve performance

http://support.veritas.com/docs/183702
NET_BUFFER_SZ, SIZE_DATA_BUFFERS and NUMBER_DATA_BUFFERS
- how they work and how to configure them
----------------------------------

And the grandaddy

Veritas NetBackup (tm) Enterprise Server / Server 6.0 Backup Planning and Performance Tuning Guide for UNIX, Windows, and Linux
http://support.veritas.com/docs/281842