The following methods to distribute the backup workload do not require additional licenses:

• Adjust the backup load on a media server.

  • Change the Limit jobs per policy policy attribute for one or more of the policies that are sent to a media server. To decrease Limit jobs per policy reduces the workload on a media server on a specific network segment.

  • Reconfigure policies or schedules to use storage units on other media servers.

  • Consider changing the Bandwidth host properties on one or more clients.

• Distribute the backup load on media servers during peak periods.

  Reconfigure policy schedules so that they write to storage units on the media servers that can handle the load. (Assuming that master servers and media servers are on separate hosts).

• Adjust the backup load on client.

  Change the Maximum jobs per client global attribute. For example, to increase Maximum jobs per client increases the number of concurrent jobs that any one client can process and therefore increases the load.

• Reduce the time to back up clients.

  Increase the number of jobs that clients can perform concurrently, or use multiplexing. Another possibility is to increase the number of jobs that the media server can perform concurrently for the policies that back up the clients.

• Give preference to a policy.

  Increase the Limit jobs per policy attribute for the preferred policy relative to other policies. Or, increase the priority for the policy.

• Adjust the load between fast and slow networks.

  Increase the Limit jobs per policy and Maximum jobs per client for policies and clients in a faster network. Decrease these numbers for slower networks. Another solution is to use NetBackup's capability to limit bandwidth.

• Maximize the use of devices.

  Use multiplexing. Allow as many concurrent jobs per storage unit, policy, and client as possible without causing server, client, or network performance problems.

• Prevent backups from monopolizing tape devices.

  • Place some drives in a down state or limit the number that are used concurrently in a specific storage unit. For example, if there are four drives in a robot, allow only two to be used concurrently.

  • Do not place all devices under Media Manager control.