SLOW mksysb

Hello.

I am running AIX 5.2 on a 9131-52A

I am trying to run a mksysb. I ran one on a similar 9131 and it did not take long at all. But this one is taking forever. My output is as follows:

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AIX:/ # mksysb -i /dev/rmt0

Creating information file (/image.data) for rootvg.

Creating tape boot image ..
bosboot: Boot image is 18795 512 byte blocks.

Creating list of files to back up
Backing up 55618 files..............................
17317 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17319 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17321 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17321 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17321 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17322 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17322 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17322 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..........................
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And this is still running at only 31%. It has been going for at least an hour.
My block size on my drive is 0. It is an internal 4mm DAT72 drive. I am not getting dinged with any entries in the error report.

Any suggestions would be helpful before I call Big Blue.

Thanks
Mike

You can do a mksysb to disk. that will show if it's a system issue or a tape drive issue. You can try setting the block size to 262144, which should speed things up. If I remember correctly, if you point your mksysb to /dev/rmt0.1, your tape will be rewinded for you once it completes.

Thanks Padow. I will try a different block size next time.

It ultimately did finish. Kicked up real quick form 31% to 60% then 100% and did indicate success.

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AIX # mksysb -i /dev/rmt0

Creating information file (/image.data) for rootvg.

Creating tape boot image ..
bosboot: Boot image is 18795 512 byte blocks.

Creating list of files to back up
Backing up 55618 files..............................
17317 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17319 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17321 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17321 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17321 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17322 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17322 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17322 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17323 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17327 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17332 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
17335 of 55618 files backed up (31%)..............................
33794 of 55618 files backed up (60%).........................
55618 of 55618 files backed up (100%)
0512-038 mksysb: Backup Completed Successfully.

bosboot: Boot image is 18795 512 byte blocks.
AIX #
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If anyonw has any further ideas, please submit. I will post a follow up if needed next time around with a diff block size.

Take care all
Mike