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Problems with Quantum LTO4 & Retrospect 6.1 on OS X

B

Brian Timmons

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Reading through the posts, I know there are a few users working with the Quantum HH LTO 4 and Retrospect 6.1 on OS X.

I recently set up my own system running on a new 2.8 GHZ Quad Mac Pro.

The software and hardware setup was simple enough and Retrospect backed up the data (A 100GB OS backup) to the Quantum seemingly well but upon verifying the data Retrospect would hang. The program would show about 100% CPU activity but it stopped all activity ( even after over 30 minutes of sitting).

After shutting down and rebooting I later tried to restore the backup only to have Retrospect hang again. Since it seemed to hang on the same file (an illustrator plug-in) I scanned the drive to see if any files were corrupt and Disk Warrior and Techtool Pro. Everything checked out fine.

When I later tried another backup of just the folder that included that Illustrator plug-in; the backup, verify, and restore was successful.

I tried backing up a Final Cut Pro project consisting of DV files, audio and GFX (roughly 650 GB). Again the backing up to tape seemed fine with no errors reported.

Upon trying to either verify or restore the project Retrospect would soon hang. It's interesting that the hang ups would usually occur within the first 1 GB.

Whenever Retrospect would hang the Quantum LTO4 would flash the #8 in it's status window with a blinking light on the left of it. The Quantum manual indicates an interface fault. Not sure what's up there.
The OS (through about this Mac) and Retrospect never seem to have a problem recognizing the drive

I read that Retrospect did not work well with RAM over 3 GBs so I stripped my 10 GBs of Ram down to 2 GB. Problem still occurs.

Been in touch with Quantum and trying to talk with EMC to see if they can help.

Since many users seem to be successful with this setup, can anyone share some insight regarding this problem?

Like any RED user, a reliable backup system is crucial and this problem can really affect my ability to see projects through.

I'm stumped on this one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Full system specs are below.

Mac OS 10.5.5
2.8 Quad Mac PRO
10 GB
Retrospect 6.1 w/ latest 6.1 Driver Update
LSI SAS 3801E Host Bus Adapter
Quantum LTO 4 HH TC-L42BN-EY (Table top)
Quantum LTO 4 data cartridge
 
What would you recommend then OffHollywood. I was considering Retrospect for a Red project take is currently in limbo?
 
I have not had any problems with LTO-4 and Retrospect. But I am using my old G5 to run it, and have the SCSI version of the LTO, with an ATTO UL4D, so not the same system.
 
Running LTO4 and Retrospect...I've had mostly good luck. A couple issues, but nothing that would hurt data integrity.
 
Offhollywood said:
Retrospect (IMO) is a nightmare.
Click to expand...

I agree. For a function as important as backing up data it's not the most reassuring piece of software. I've usually had nothing but problems with it too.


Unfortunately, Retrospect is the only software that supports this drive on the Mac.

For anyone with working backup systems running on the mac, can you please state what software drive combination you're using. I simply want a system that will work solid. Thanks.

Brian
 
Nick Shaw said:
I have not had any problems with LTO-4 and Retrospect. But I am using my old G5 to run it, and have the SCSI version of the LTO, with an ATTO UL4D, so not the same system.
Click to expand...

Hello Nick and Kevin,

Which LTO 4 are you running?

Brian
 
We use an LTO4 library (Tandberg 224.) the control software is Bru server. We also use catDV and the DAX plug in to control the LTO direct from catDV. Works very well.

OSX 10.4.111 and 1.5.1 both work fine. Ive used both FC and also SCSI to drive the device SCSI is more reliable for libraries but both work fine.

If your using a library then its very important to allow the LTO library to fully boot before switching the mac other wise the tapes in the library may not index correctly.

Dave
UK
 
daveb said:
We use an LTO4 library (Tandberg 224.) the control software is Bru server. We also use catDV and the DAX plug in to control the LTO direct from catDV. Works very well.

OSX 10.4.111 and 1.5.1 both work fine. Ive used both FC and also SCSI to drive the device SCSI is more reliable for libraries but both work fine.

Dave
UK
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave. That sounds like quite a heavy duty system. For the moment I have to concede to the limits of my wallet. That's a setup to aspire to though.

I noticed that the firmware on my drive seems kind of old (v2086). May try it out. I'm figuring out how I can flash this thing as flashing seems to only be supported through windows. While I do have VM ware Fusion running XP on my Mac Pro, I don't think it will recognize my SAS card and Quantum drive.

I have to admit this is exactly the scenario I wanted to avoid.

Onward.

Brian
 
Im sure you can make it work just with Bru which seems to e more stable than Retrospect. May be worth a look, Bru is inexpensive.

Dave
UK
 
daveb said:
Im sure you can make it work just with Bru which seems to e more stable than Retrospect. May be worth a look, Bru is inexpensive.

Dave
UK
Click to expand...

Interesting. I didn't realize BRU was so cheap. I only bought Retrospect for it's compatibility with the Quantum LTO4.

I would try BRU in a heartbeat but they don't currently support Quantum LTO4 SAS.

I am starting to consider the possibility of a different setup. This current setup is less than a week old so I do have some time to exchange it.

I also read this on there web site.

http://knowledgebase.tolisgroup.com/?View=entry&EntryID=184

It seems that compatibility with the Quantum LTO 4 may be an ongoing issue. I like Quantum as a company but I might consider the HP LTO4 drive.

The HP external SAS drive is about the same price as Quantum's. According to the Tolis site the HP works more reliably in OS X. Time to send out some emails to get to the bottom of this.

Brian
 
We looked at Bru and Atempo and finally went with using PresStore for our Quantum Scalar 50 LTO4 and have had no problems so far (3 months).
 
JimPress said:
We looked at Bru and Atempo and finally went with using PresStore for our Quantum Scalar 50 LTO4 and have had no problems so far (3 months).
Click to expand...

Interesting. I didn't realize this many backup options existed on the Mac.

Jim, what were your reasons for choosing PresStore over the others.

Brian
 
Hey flameop,

As a pioneer in getting the Quantum LTO4/Retrospect combo working on the Mac I definitely value your input.


flameop said:
How long is your SAS lead ?

What slot is the HBA in ?
What other cards are in the macpro ?
Click to expand...

My SAS cable is 3'.

The LSI card is in slot 3 on the MacPro (4x slot)
An ATI Radeon 3870 is in the 16x slot. (Slot 1)
A BMD Decklink Extreme is in the other 4x slot (Slot 4)
 
flameop said:
Get a 1' dude.

before if you have to wait zip up say 5 gig into 1 file and try to archive that.
Click to expand...

Really? What are some of the performance differences between a 1' cable and 3' cable.

Thanks. I'll try out the zip function.
 
It's the first thing we changed here when we had issues. Especially if your lead is unbranded, some ain't great quality.

Same layout as ours except we have a HBA in slot 4 for the raids.


Unsure on firmware.. ours shipped direct from Quantum.

Doing the zip should sort out the possiblity of it being a corrupt psd or fcp project file etc..
 
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