IBM LTO - Tape Drive's Performance is Slow

Asset ID:	1-75-1464149.1
Update Date:	2017-05-31
Keywords:

Solution Type Troubleshooting Sure

Solution 1464149.1 : IBM LTO - Tape Drive's Performance is Slow

Applies to:

IBM LTO3 Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
IBM LTO4 Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
IBM LTO5 Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
IBM LTO2 Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
IBM LTO6 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Purpose

IBM LTO - Tape Drive's Performance is Slow

Troubleshooting Steps

Use the built-in diagnostic functions “F” to test the write/read performance of the drive itself without any host attached. Refer to IBM LTO - How to Enter Maintenance Mode to Run Diagnostics (Doc ID 2272604.1)

Run this test first to isolate drive related performance issues, ITDT-SE’s Full Write Test can be used to verify if Host has an performance issue as well.

How to Collect Statistical and Dump Logs From IBM LTO Drives Using ITDT (IBM Tape Diagnostics Tool):ATR:1016763.1:1 (Doc ID 1016763.1)

Does the drive reposition frequently?
R1: Yes.
A1: First, make sure the appropriate TBU device driver has been installed for your operating system and backup software. Refer to the backup software’s user manual for the proper configuration parameters for your backup job. It is also recommended to use another known good tape to test the same backup job to see if the slow performance is media related. Remember slow performance may also be related to the performance of the host.
R2: No.
A2: Refer to the backup software manual for the proper configuration parameters for your backup job.

Should the drive continue to have problems after running tests, open a service request with Oracle TSC providing detail information on the actions already taken, physical address of the drive and any error information that is available.

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