File-by-file with a native application
Performance impact: POOR.
Native backup applications based on tar, cpio, NT Backup, etc. do not have the extra features needed
to manage the bandwidth requirements of the faster tape drives and should only be used to test basic
functionality.
To get the best backup and restore performance, use a full-featured backup application. If the average
file size is less than 64 k, use a sequential/image backup for best performance. However, a
sequential/disk image backup might not allow you to restore individual files or the restore process
will be very slow.
Disk image, flash, or sequential
Performance impact: GOOD.
A disk image or sequential backup backs up an entire disk, partition, or LUN by looking at the disk
sector by sector instead of file by file. The entire disk contents is backed up contiguously, without the
disk seeking, which prevents performance degradation caused by small or fragmented files.
If you are more concerned about backup performance than single-file restore, disk image or sequential
backups can offer a real performance benefit. The disadvantage is that backup and restore operations
work on an entire disk, partition, or LUN. You might not be able to backup a subset of files or restore
a single file. If you can restore a single file, the restore process will be slow.
Database backup
Performance impact: VARIABLE.
To improve performance when backing up data from a database:
• Use specific backup agents for the database.
• Use the latest versions of the databases.
• Do not backup individual mailboxes.
• Do not backup specific records or do a record-by-record backup.
• Do not backup when the database is in heavy use.
Connection from the host server to the Autoloader
For the best performance, the connection from the host server to the device must have enough
bandwidth to provide enough data to keep the tape drive streaming.
NOTE:
Unlike most tape technologies, an LTO tape drive can write data as fast as the server can send it,
even if the tape drive is not streaming.
HP StorageWorks 1/8 G2 Tape Autoloader User and service guide 125
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