Performance Tuning - HP Data Protector A.06.11 Integration Manual

Performance tuning

Performance tuning means customizing your environment to improve backup and
restore performance. Follow these guidelines:
1. Ensure that SQL Server database files are on separate disks.
2. Calculate the number of devices to be used in parallel. Select a number of
devices matching the bandwidth of the incoming data stream and identify the
bottleneck. This can either be the network, if devices are connected to remote
systems, or SQL Server, if the devices are connected locally.
As the network bandwidths are most often ~10 MB/s (100 Mbit Ethernet), though
the actual throughput is usually lower, you will not need more than one fast
device (such as DLT 7000 for remote backups).
There are two possibilities for locally connected devices:
a. Devices are dedicated to local SQL Server backups and backup/restore
performance is important. Use fast direct mode, which enables Data Protector
to read data directly from the SQL Server shared memory and can therefore
increase the backup speed to local devices.
b. Devices are shared within the Data Protector cell and backup/restore
performance is not very important. Disable fast direct mode.
Determine the maximum backup speed by backing up to a few null file devices
on a local server, and select the number of devices that fits best with the measured
performance.
TIP:
Create separate backup specifications for local and remote devices. It is
not recommended to use both in one backup specification.
58 Integrating Microsoft SQL Server and Data Protector