HP StoreEver TapeAssure Software - Manual (Page 134)

5. Specify the following additional parameters:
•
Block Mode —Choose one of the following (suggested starting value is Fixed):
Fixed — The test uses a fixed block size (length) that can be specified in the Block
Size menu.
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Variable — The test uses a different mode of data transfer. When this option is
selected, the Block Size menu is disabled.
•
Block Size —If Block Mode is set to Fixed, specify the size of the data blocks used in
the test. Data blocks can be from 16K to 256K (suggested starting value is 64K). This
menu is disabled if Block Mode is set to Variable.
•
I/O Size —The maximum amount of data to be transferred by a single read/write
operation. This length is typically a multiple of the Block Size and ranges from the specified
Block Size to 1MB (suggested starting value is 1MB).
•
Test Size —The maximum amount of data written/read by the test. Valid choices are
1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and Full Tape. Larger values
increase the time required to perform the test, but they produce more accurate test results
(suggested starting value is 4GB).
•
File Mark Mode —Instructs the test to write a filemark at the specified interval (1MB
to 1GB). You can also instruct the test not to write any filemarks (suggested starting value
is No filemarks).
NOTE: Writing filemarks at a frequent interval will reduce the performance of the test.
•
Read After Write —The test evaluates two sets of metrics when enabled, and one
set when disabled (suggested starting value is disabled). When enabled, data is written
to the tape and then the tape is read back. When disabled, only write performance is
measured.
•
Rate Limiting —If rate limiting is enabled, the I/O rate is limited to the specified value
(suggested starting value is disabled).
•
Compare after Read — This option checks the integrity of the data but will reduce
the transfer rate of the test. Performance is not reported when this option is selected. To
measure true performance, run the test with this option unselected. You can enable this
option only when Read After Write and Fixed Block Mode are selected.
6. Click Start to perform the test. Progress of the test is displayed under the Progress column for
the corresponding drives. The numbers indicate the percentage of test completion. A dialog
box will appear to inform you when the test is complete.
7. Click the Drive Performance Results tab to view the results of the test. In the Drive Performance
Results tab, all the operations corresponding to each of the individual drives are displayed
under the corresponding tree nodes.
134 Tests and utility functions