Document ID: 321584
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Information regarding the Backup Exec Backup to Disk Test Tool - B2Dtest.exe
Details:

The Backup Exec Backup to Disk test tool (B2Dtest.exe) is a stand-alone tool intended to test the basic functionality of a device as it relates to being used as a Backup-to-Disk device in Backup Exec.  This tool is not intended to certify full support for a particular device, but merely ensure basic file level functionality.  The tool runs a series of file copy, create, delete, and other file level operations required during a typical backup.  This tool is not intended to test every aspect of Backup Exec's Granular Restore Technology (GRT), therefore the output of this test should not be an indicator that every GRT agent will also work with this device.


To run, save the B2DTest_2729_32_327088 (32 bit).exe or B2DTest_2729_64_327089.exe (64 bit), to any Backup Exec media server that has access to the target device and run it from a command prompt window (you cannot double click it in Explorer and see the full results).  This tool should be run from an operating system supported by Backup Exec for media server usage.  Do not run B2DTest.exe from a Vista machine. Generally there is no need for command line parameters, but if desired, B2DTest can be run from the command line with -h for help: b2dtest -h


This tool moves 4GB of pseudo data to or from the tested device up to 4 times, so please be aware that it may take some time to complete and may impact the performance of a production environment.  Off peak times or non-production environments are suggested.  Performance of this tool across multiple targets may give you a relative comparison of the backup performance that may be available.  This test is designed to be non-destructive to your existing data, but it is always good to have a backup.  This tool will attempt to create, open and access 10,000 tiny files at once.  Accessing a large number of open files is a common issue with B2D devices performing GRT backups.  The tool attempts to clean up after itself, but if it fails to clean up, it is safe to delete everything in the path given for testing.


A verbose version of what is displayed on-screen is logged at:

The log file location is technically:  <%AppData%> \Symantec\Backup Exec\Logs\B2DTest.log. This log file is appended to, so you may wish to rename it between test runs.

Notes about Traverse Volumes

The following warning may be seen in the console and can be ignored if the device mentioned in the log is not the device being tested:

With the corresponding entry in the log file:


In this example, HarddiskVolume2 was NOT the target of the test. In this case the above error can be ignored.

Notes about Reparse Points and Sparse Files

The following warnings indicate that the device under test is not sufficient on its own for GRT use and the warnings are expected on most non-Windows based NAS devices:


As the B2Dtest tool indicates, the B2D folder or GRT temporary path must point to a place where there must be a sufficient NTFS volume. The B2D test tool will only test one destination at a time, and is not aware of the temporary staging area used for GRT.

Users who receive the warning regarding Reparse Points or Sparse Files should run a second B2Dtest against the temporary GRT staging area. The GRT staging paths can be determined in Backup Exec by going to Tools > Options > Backup and Tools > Options > Restore.

If B2Dtests run against the B2D location as well as the staging area both fail to create sparse files, then GRT will not work as expected.

Notes about File Handles:
The number of File Handles needed by Backup Exec for GRT usage depends upon the backup strategy.  A large, or more complex, environment may  need a large number of available handles.  An environment that runs Exchange backups more frequently may need fewer File Handles than an environment that runs fewer backups.  We believe that if B2DTest reports that the device supports more than 8,000 open file handles, GRT should operate properly in most environments, but may still fail in a worst case scenario.  If simple file backups (not GRT) are being done, then this test can be ignored.

Release history:
12.6.2729             Fixed issue with B2DTest.exe failing to run on Win2000 servers due to a kernal32.dll error
12.6.2690             First release




Supplemental Material:

System: Ref.#Description
UMI: v-275-10000 Information regarding the Backup Exec B2D Test Tool - B2Dtest.exe

Products Applied:
 Backup Exec for Windows Servers 10.0, 10d (10.1), 11d (11.0), 12.0, 12.5
Last Updated: August 19 2009 04:55 PM GMT
Expires on: 365 days from publish date
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Subjects:
 Backup Exec for Windows Servers
   Application: Backup To Disk

Languages:
 English (US)

Operating Systems:
Windows 2000

Advanced Server SP4, Datacenter Server SP4, Server SP4

Windows XP

Pro 5.1

Windows Server 2003

Standard Server

Windows Small Business Server 2003

Standard Edition

Windows Server 2008

Standard (x64-64bit), Standard (x86-32bit)

Windows Small Business Server 2008

Standard Edition