File to tape much slower than backup to tape

[sbk]

Situation:

We have data that is sitting in a Veeam repository that needs to be copied to tape (essentially file server data from remote sites). When comparing a "File to tape backup" to a "backup to tape" job, the file to tape is running an average of 17 MB/s vs. 50 - 70 MB/s from the same repository. I understand this isn't a great comparison as the file to tape is lots of little files vs. the backup to tape which is large VMDK's. I see others have had this same issue years ago via this post: "tape-f29/files-to-tape-is-painfully-slow-t17802-75.html". We have TB's worth of data that I need to get to tape and at the current rate it will never happen even if I let it run ALL month.

So my questions are:

1. Is anyone else having this same slowness issue?
2. Is there a better way within Veeam to backup lots of small, file server type data to tape?

[Dima P.]

Hi Shawn,

Can you please clarify what Veeam B&R version you are using? Thanks.

[sbk]

We are on 9.5.0.823.

[Dima P.]

Thanks for the clarification and sorry for keeping silence. Need to know the raw estimate on number of files you are trying to push to tape. Are you talking about windows file server? How this server is connected to your tape device and tape library? Thanks.

[sbk]

Looking at one of the folders that needs to get to tape, its over 200,000 files.
Yes its all file server data. The tape drive is connected to the physical Veeam server via. a fiber channel switch.

[Dima P.]

Shawn,

I am afraid for such number of files you should install SQL server Standard or Enterprise Edition for your Veeam B&R database. If your case backup server database is a bottleneck due the limitations of a bundled SQL Server Express Edition.

[sbk]

We are running SQL server 2014 enterprise on directly attached SSD storage.

[veremin]

Then, it's time you open a ticket with our support team and let them investigate this issue directly. The reported issue doesn't look expected. Thanks.

[o_jay]

Was there a resolution on this? I also have a need to do a monthly file to tape job which is unusably slow. Worked fine for my old Backup Exec software.

[o_jay]

Was there a resolution on this? I also have a need to do a monthly file to tape job which is unusably slow. Worked fine for my old Backup Exec software.

My issue was resolved by moving my Veeam B&R software to a server with more memory.