If you're talking about blksize, it has been deprecated in 10.1+ : http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/backup.102/b14194/obs_comm. htm#RCMRF910 But it is still recommended in this best practices guide (p.10): http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/availability/pdf/S942_Chien.doc. pdf So, I'm not sure if it's still a good idea or not. Have you actually tested with it in 10g to see if it works? Here's another white paper on best practices for 10g specifically with Netbackup, from HP, that also suggests using BLKSIZE. I haven't read it yet, but looks interesting: http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA0-8102ENW.pdf -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jared Still Blocksize - this is used to set the buffer size in allocate channel maxfilesopen - going to disk the default (16 IIRC) is too high. Scale it down and test. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message or attachments hereto. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of this company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l