Understanding DDBoost
Introducing DDBoost
EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) enables backup servers to communicate with storage systems without the need for EMC� Data Domain� storage systems to emulate tape. There are two components to the software:
• The DDBoost Libraries for integrating with the DDBoost server running on the Data Domain system.
• The DDBoost server that runs on Data Domain systems. A Data Domain system can be a single Data Domain system or a gateway.
The Data Domain system exposes pre-made disk volumes called storage units to a DDBoost-enabled backup server. By using the DDBoost Libraries, multiple vRanger instances can use the same storage unit on a Data Domain system as a storage server. Each backup server can run a different operating system, if it is supported by Data Domain.
EMC� Data Domain� supports EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) on the following Data Domain (OS) versions:
▪ OS 5.7 — requires vRanger 7.3 or later
▪ OS 6.0— requires vRanger 7.6.4 or later
▪ OS 6.1— requires vRanger 7.6.4 or later
▪ OS 6.2— requires vRanger 7.8 or later
The DDBoost Library version must be compatible with your Data Domain system and data protection application configurations.
This topic provides a technical overview of EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) features. Configuration information for these features is described in Configuring the Data Domain system.
• Distributed segment processing
• Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
Distributed segment processing
Distributed segment processing allows parts of the deduplication process to be performed by the EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Library, which avoids sending duplicate data to the EMC� Data Domain� system that is configured as a vRanger repository. The option to distribute the processing is enabled or disabled on the Data Domain system; for more information, see Configuring distributed segment processing. The DDBoost Library negotiates with the Data Domain system for the current setting of the option and behaves appropriately. Therefore, the DDBoost Library offers two modes of operation for sending backup data to a Data Domain system: one with distributed segment processing enabled and the other with the distributed segment processing disabled.
Distributed segment processing provides the following benefits:
• Potentially higher throughput, because the DDBoost Library sends only unique data to a Data Domain system versus sending all the data over the LAN. Throughput improvements depend on the redundant nature of the data being backed up, the overall workload on the backup server, and the capability of the backup server. In general, greater throughput is attained with higher redundancy, greater backup server workload, and backup server capability.
• The network bandwidth requirements are reduced since only the unique data is sent over the LAN to the Data Domain systems.
For more information about local compression and its configuration, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
You manage distributed segment processing by using the ddboost option commands, as described in Using the DDBoost commands.
NOTE: EMC recommends that you use distributed segment processing if your network connection is 1 Gb Ethernet.
Distributed segment processing disabled
In this mode, the EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Library sends the data directly to the Data Domain system over the LAN. The Data Domain system then segments, deduplicates, and compresses the data before it is written to the disk. The DDBoost Library runs on the backup server.
Distributed segment processing enabled
In this mode, the deduplication process is distributed between the EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Library and the Data Domain system.
NOTE: The DDBoost Library runs on the vRanger server. The DDBoost Library’s handling of data is transparent to vRanger and the library does not store any data on the backup server.
Parts of the deduplication process are run by the DDBoost Library so that only unique data is sent to data to a Data Domain system over the LAN. The DDBoost Library segments, computes IDs for the segments, checks with the Data Domain system for duplicate segments, compresses unique segments that are not found on the Data Domain system, and sends the compressed data to the Data Domain system. The Data Domain system then writes the unique data to disk.
Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
vRanger supports a single host name and IP address per repository. For EMC� Data Domain� systems that require multiple 1 GbE links to obtain full system performance, you must set up multiple storage servers on the Data Domain systems — one per interface — and target the backup policies to different storage servers to spread the load on the interfaces.
The Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover feature allows for combining multiple Ethernet links into a group. Only one of the interfaces on the Data Domain system is registered with vRanger. The EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Library negotiates with the Data Domain system on the interface registered with vRanger to obtain an interface to send the data. The load balancing provides higher physical throughput to the Data Domain system compared to configuring the interfaces into a virtual interface using Ethernet level aggregation.
The Data Domain system load balances the connections coming in from multiple vRanger instances on all the interfaces in the group. The load balancing is transparent to vRanger. Because Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover works at the DDBoost Library software layer, it is seamless to the underlying network connectivity and supports both physical and virtual interfaces.
The data transfer is load balanced based on the number of connections outstanding on the interfaces. Only connections for backup and restore jobs are load balanced.
NOTE: The replication connection between the Data Domain systems is not part of the load balancing. A single IP address is used for the target Data Domain system.
IMPORTANT: Quest recommends that you exclude one interface from the ifgroup and reserve it for the replication path between the source and target Data Domain systems.
The Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover feature can be used with other network layer aggregation and failover technologies. The Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover functionality also works with other network layer functionality on the Data Domain systems, including VLAN tagging and IP aliasing. This functionality allows additional flexibility in segregating traffic into multiple virtual networks, which run over the same physical links on the Data Domain system.
The benefits of Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover are as follows:
• Eliminates the need to register multiple storage servers — one for each interface — with vRanger, which can potentially simplify installation management.
• If one of the interfaces in the group goes down while the Data Domain system is still operational, the subsequent incoming backup jobs are routed to the available interfaces.
• The backup and restore jobs are automatically load balanced on multiple interfaces in the group, which can potentially result in higher utilization of the links.
• All in-flight jobs to the failed interface transparently are failed over to healthy operational links. From the point of view of vRanger, the jobs continue uninterrupted.
• The interfaces can be added only to the group using an IP address.
• Even though the Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover feature works with mixed 1GbE interfaces and 10 GbE interfaces in a group, it is not a recommended setup. Quest recommends that you have interfaces with the same link speed in a group.
• Since only one interface group is supported on the EMC� Data Domain� system, for connecting more than one backup server, a switch is needed in the middle.
File replication replicates a single file. The replication request is initiated by the application. By default, the backup servers set up replication jobs between two EMC� Data Domain� systems after authenticating them using the pre-configured EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) user name and password. If the replication feature is enabled, when an optimized job is set up by backup servers, the session between the source and destination Data Domain systems is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), ensuring all image data and metadata is sent encrypted over the WAN.
Enabling this option on Data Domain system is transparent to the data protection application. When the data protection application requests Data Domain system to perform a replication job, the source and destination systems negotiate automatically to perform encryption without knowledge of the requesting data protection application. Replication uses the ADH-AES256-SHA cipher suite. There is no ability to configure a different suite.
Replication is available to a Data Domain system with an installed Replicator license, and applies to all replication jobs on that system. Both the source and the destination Data Domain systems that are participating in replication jobs must have this option enabled for it to take effect.
Replication can be used with the encryption of data-at-rest feature available on Data Domain operating system with the optional Encryption license. When replication is used with the encryption of data-at-rest feature, the encrypted backup image data is encrypted again using SSL for sending over WAN.
• Both the source and the destination EMC� Data Domain� systems must be running Data Domain OS 5.2 or later to use this feature.
• Enabling this feature does not require restarting the file system on a Data Domain system.
• The low-bandwidth optimization and the encryption options can be used with each other.
The low-bandwidth Replicator option reduces the WAN bandwidth utilization. This option is useful if replication is being performed over a low-bandwidth network (WAN) link. This option provides additional compression during data transfer and is recommended only replication jobs that occur over WAN links that have fewer than 6 Mb/s of available bandwidth.
The low-bandwidth optimization option is available to EMC� Data Domain�s systems with an installed Replicator license. The option is enabled on a Data Domain system and applies to all replication jobs on that system.
Enabling this option on Data Domain system is transparent to the data protection application. When the data protection application requests a Data Domain system to perform a replication job, the source and destination systems automatically perform the additional compression without involving the requesting data protection application.
Each Data Domain system wanting to participate in low-bandwidth replication must have this option enabled.
Installing and configuring DDBoost
• Configuring the Data Domain system
Installing DDBoost
NOTE: Complete descriptions of commands used in this guide are provided in the EMC Data Domain Operating System Command Reference Guide.
The overall steps for installing DDBoost are as follows:
1 Obtain the license required to enable DDBoost on the Data Domain system; purchase a DDBoost license key from EMC.
▪ The DDBoost license allows you to back up and restore data.
▪ A separate replication license enables you to perform replication. You must obtain a replication license for both the source and destination Data Domain systems.
2 Enable and configure DDBoost on the Data Domain system.
At a minimum, configuration includes specifying the DDBoost user name and password.
3 Install vRanger, which contains the DDBoost Libraries.
The EMC� Data Domain� system as it is initially configured does not work through a firewall. If you need the Data Domain system to work in the presence of a firewall, contact your network support provider.
The following ports must be open in a firewall for EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) backups and replication to work:
• TCP 2049 (Network File System [NFS])
• TCP xxx (select a random port for NFS mountd)
Enabling DDBoost on a Data Domain system
Every EMC� Data Domain� system that is enabled for EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) must have a unique name. You can use the Data Domain system’s DNS name, which is always unique.
1 On the Data Domain system, log in as an administrative user.
2 Verify that the file system is enabled and running by entering:
The file system is enabled and running.
3 Add the DDBoost license using the license key that Data Domain provided:
License "ABCE-BCDA-CDAB-DABC" added.
4 Set the DDBoost user by entering:
# ddboost set user-name ddboost-user
Configuring the Data Domain system
This topic describes tasks and commands for configuring the EMC� Data Domain� system.
• Creating a DDBoost user name
• Configuring distributed segment processing
• Configuring Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
Creating a DDBoost user name
An EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) user is an EMC� Data Domain� user. Before setting the DDBoost user access, the username and password must have already been set up on the Data Domain system. vRanger uses the DDBoost user account to connect to the DDBoost repository.
When DDBoost is enabled, a Data Domain OS administrative user can set or change to another DDBoost user. Only one DDBoost user can operate DDBoost at a time.
To set or modify the DDBoost user name:
1 In the DDBoost overview pane located under the Data Management tab, click Add or Modify in the DDBoost User area.
The Set or Modify DDBoost User Name dialog box appears.
▪ To add a user, click the User Name button.
a Enter the user name in the DDBoost User Name field.
The user must be configured in the backup application to connect to the Data Domain system.
b Enter the password twice in the text fields.
c Select the privilege level for this user: admin or user.
▪ To switch to a user that has already been added, click the Existing User button, and select the user name from the drop-down list.
The EMC� Data Domain� system exposes pre-made disk volumes called storage units to an EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�)-enabled backup server. Each Storage Unit is a top-level subdirectory of the /data/col1 directory; there is no hierarchy among Storage Units. When used with vRanger, a DDBoost repository is configured at the Storage Unit level, meaning each DDBoost repository in vRanger equates to exactly one Storage Unit.
NOTE: You may also create a Storage Unit from the vRanger UI during the DDBoost repository configuration, or by using the EMC Data Domain Enterprise Manager web console.
1 To create a storage unit on the Data Domain system, enter:
# ddboost storage-unit create storage-unit_name
IMPORTANT: Each storage unit name must be unique. For devices running Data Domain OS 5.2 and later, the supported characters are alphanumeric characters and ~!@#$^_+`-={}[],.
2 Repeat the previous step for each DDBoost-enabled Data Domain system.
Configuring distributed segment processing
The distributed segment processing option is configured on the EMC� Data Domain� system and applies to all the backup servers and the EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Libraries installed on them. For more information, see Distributed segment processing.
The option can be configured using the following command:
# ddboost option set distributed-segment-processing {enabled | disabled}
NOTE: Enabling or disabling the distributed segment processing option does not require a restart of the Data Domain file system.
Distributed segment processing is supported with DDBoost Library version 2.2 or later communicating with a Data Domain system that is running Data Domain OS 5.2 or later.
Distributed segment processing is enabled by default on a system initially installed with Data Domain OS 5.2. If a system is upgraded from Data Domain OS 5.0.x to Data Domain OS 5.2 or later, distributed segment processing is left in its previous state.
Configuring Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
If an interface group is configured, when the EMC� Data Domain� system receives data from the backup server clients, the data transfer is load balanced and distributed as separate jobs on the private network, providing higher input and output throughput, especially for customers who use multiple 1 GbE connections.
Create an interface group on the Data Domain system by adding existing interfaces to the group and registering the Data Domain system with vRanger, as described in the following steps.
1 Verify that the interfaces have been created with the net command.
2 Add the interfaces into the group.
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.1
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.2
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.3
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.4
3 Select one interface on the Data Domain system to register with vRanger.
Quest recommends that you create a failover-aggregated interface and register that interface with vRanger.
It is not mandatory to have one of the interfaces in the ifgroup registered with vRanger. An interface that is not part of the ifgroup can also be used to register with vRanger.
NOTE: EMC recommends that you register the interface with a resolvable name using DNS or any other name resolution mechanism.
The interface registered with vRanger is used by vRanger and the DDBoost Library to communicate with the Data Domain system. If this interface is not available, backups to that Data Domain system are not possible.
4 Enable the feature on the Data Domain system:
5 Verify the configuration of the Data Domain system:
After the interface group is set up, you can add or delete interfaces from the group. You can manage Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover — an interface group — by using the ddboost ifgroup command or from the Enterprise Manager Data Management > DD Boost view. For more information, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
With EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�), vRanger can control replication between multiple EMC� Data Domain� systems and provide backup administrators with a single point of management for tracking all backups and duplicate copies. This configuration lets you efficiently create disaster recovery (DR) copies of your backups over the WAN, and track all the copies using the vRanger catalog for easy recovery.
When using EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) with vRanger, replication is configured through the vRanger interface. For instructions on enabling replication, see Configuring repository replication.
Enabling low-bandwidth optimization
To enable the low-bandwidth option, enter:
# ddboost file-replication option set low-bw-optim enabled
Low bandwidth optimization enabled for replication.
Enabling or disabling the low-bandwidth optimization option does not require a restart of the EMC� Data Domain� file system. After enabling low-bandwidth optimization, however, you need to run a full cleaning cycle on the Data Domain system for it to be effective.
Low-bandwidth optimization can be monitored and managed with the command ddboost file replication or from the Enterprise Manager Data Management > DD Boost view. For more information, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
No configuration changes are necessary on the backup server as this feature is transparent to the data protection applications.
• Enabling this feature takes additional resources — CPU and memory — on the Data Domain system; Quest recommends that you use this option only when replication is being done over low-bandwidth networks with less than 6 Mbps aggregate bandwidth.
• For more information on this feature, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
• The low-bandwidth option for replication is supported only for standalone Data Domain systems.
Enabling encrypted file replication
To enable the encrypted file-replication option, enter:
# ddboost file-replication option set encryption enabled
The output indicates that the encryption you requested was enabled.
For more information, see the command ddboost file-replication.
No configuration changes are necessary on the backup server as this feature is transparent to the data protection application. Turning on this feature takes additional resources — CPU and memory — on an EMC� Data Domain� system.
• Enabling or disabling the encrypted file replication option does not require a restart of the Data Domain file system.
• For more information on this feature, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
Installing and configuring DDBoost
• Configuring the Data Domain system
Installing DDBoost
NOTE: Complete descriptions of commands used in this guide are provided in the EMC Data Domain Operating System Command Reference Guide.
The overall steps for installing DDBoost are as follows:
1 Obtain the license required to enable DDBoost on the Data Domain system; purchase a DDBoost license key from EMC.
▪ The DDBoost license allows you to back up and restore data.
▪ A separate replication license enables you to perform replication. You must obtain a replication license for both the source and destination Data Domain systems.
2 Enable and configure DDBoost on the Data Domain system.
At a minimum, configuration includes specifying the DDBoost user name and password.
3 Install vRanger, which contains the DDBoost Libraries.
The EMC� Data Domain� system as it is initially configured does not work through a firewall. If you need the Data Domain system to work in the presence of a firewall, contact your network support provider.
The following ports must be open in a firewall for EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) backups and replication to work:
• TCP 2049 (Network File System [NFS])
• TCP xxx (select a random port for NFS mountd)
Enabling DDBoost on a Data Domain system
Every EMC� Data Domain� system that is enabled for EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) must have a unique name. You can use the Data Domain system’s DNS name, which is always unique.
1 On the Data Domain system, log in as an administrative user.
2 Verify that the file system is enabled and running by entering:
The file system is enabled and running.
3 Add the DDBoost license using the license key that Data Domain provided:
License "ABCE-BCDA-CDAB-DABC" added.
4 Set the DDBoost user by entering:
# ddboost set user-name ddboost-user
Configuring the Data Domain system
This topic describes tasks and commands for configuring the EMC� Data Domain� system.
• Creating a DDBoost user name
• Configuring distributed segment processing
• Configuring Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
Creating a DDBoost user name
An EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) user is an EMC� Data Domain� user. Before setting the DDBoost user access, the username and password must have already been set up on the Data Domain system. vRanger uses the DDBoost user account to connect to the DDBoost repository.
When DDBoost is enabled, a Data Domain OS administrative user can set or change to another DDBoost user. Only one DDBoost user can operate DDBoost at a time.
To set or modify the DDBoost user name:
1 In the DDBoost overview pane located under the Data Management tab, click Add or Modify in the DDBoost User area.
The Set or Modify DDBoost User Name dialog box appears.
▪ To add a user, click the User Name button.
a Enter the user name in the DDBoost User Name field.
The user must be configured in the backup application to connect to the Data Domain system.
b Enter the password twice in the text fields.
c Select the privilege level for this user: admin or user.
▪ To switch to a user that has already been added, click the Existing User button, and select the user name from the drop-down list.
The EMC� Data Domain� system exposes pre-made disk volumes called storage units to an EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�)-enabled backup server. Each Storage Unit is a top-level subdirectory of the /data/col1 directory; there is no hierarchy among Storage Units. When used with vRanger, a DDBoost repository is configured at the Storage Unit level, meaning each DDBoost repository in vRanger equates to exactly one Storage Unit.
NOTE: You may also create a Storage Unit from the vRanger UI during the DDBoost repository configuration, or by using the EMC Data Domain Enterprise Manager web console.
1 To create a storage unit on the Data Domain system, enter:
# ddboost storage-unit create storage-unit_name
IMPORTANT: Each storage unit name must be unique. For devices running Data Domain OS 5.2 and later, the supported characters are alphanumeric characters and ~!@#$^_+`-={}[],.
2 Repeat the previous step for each DDBoost-enabled Data Domain system.
Configuring distributed segment processing
The distributed segment processing option is configured on the EMC� Data Domain� system and applies to all the backup servers and the EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Libraries installed on them. For more information, see Distributed segment processing.
The option can be configured using the following command:
# ddboost option set distributed-segment-processing {enabled | disabled}
NOTE: Enabling or disabling the distributed segment processing option does not require a restart of the Data Domain file system.
Distributed segment processing is supported with DDBoost Library version 2.2 or later communicating with a Data Domain system that is running Data Domain OS 5.2 or later.
Distributed segment processing is enabled by default on a system initially installed with Data Domain OS 5.2. If a system is upgraded from Data Domain OS 5.0.x to Data Domain OS 5.2 or later, distributed segment processing is left in its previous state.
Configuring Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
If an interface group is configured, when the EMC� Data Domain� system receives data from the backup server clients, the data transfer is load balanced and distributed as separate jobs on the private network, providing higher input and output throughput, especially for customers who use multiple 1 GbE connections.
Create an interface group on the Data Domain system by adding existing interfaces to the group and registering the Data Domain system with vRanger, as described in the following steps.
1 Verify that the interfaces have been created with the net command.
2 Add the interfaces into the group.
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.1
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.2
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.3
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.4
3 Select one interface on the Data Domain system to register with vRanger.
Quest recommends that you create a failover-aggregated interface and register that interface with vRanger.
It is not mandatory to have one of the interfaces in the ifgroup registered with vRanger. An interface that is not part of the ifgroup can also be used to register with vRanger.
NOTE: EMC recommends that you register the interface with a resolvable name using DNS or any other name resolution mechanism.
The interface registered with vRanger is used by vRanger and the DDBoost Library to communicate with the Data Domain system. If this interface is not available, backups to that Data Domain system are not possible.
4 Enable the feature on the Data Domain system:
5 Verify the configuration of the Data Domain system:
After the interface group is set up, you can add or delete interfaces from the group. You can manage Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover — an interface group — by using the ddboost ifgroup command or from the Enterprise Manager Data Management > DD Boost view. For more information, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
With EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�), vRanger can control replication between multiple EMC� Data Domain� systems and provide backup administrators with a single point of management for tracking all backups and duplicate copies. This configuration lets you efficiently create disaster recovery (DR) copies of your backups over the WAN, and track all the copies using the vRanger catalog for easy recovery.
When using EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) with vRanger, replication is configured through the vRanger interface. For instructions on enabling replication, see Configuring repository replication.
Enabling low-bandwidth optimization
To enable the low-bandwidth option, enter:
# ddboost file-replication option set low-bw-optim enabled
Low bandwidth optimization enabled for replication.
Enabling or disabling the low-bandwidth optimization option does not require a restart of the EMC� Data Domain� file system. After enabling low-bandwidth optimization, however, you need to run a full cleaning cycle on the Data Domain system for it to be effective.
Low-bandwidth optimization can be monitored and managed with the command ddboost file replication or from the Enterprise Manager Data Management > DD Boost view. For more information, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
No configuration changes are necessary on the backup server as this feature is transparent to the data protection applications.
• Enabling this feature takes additional resources — CPU and memory — on the Data Domain system; Quest recommends that you use this option only when replication is being done over low-bandwidth networks with less than 6 Mbps aggregate bandwidth.
• For more information on this feature, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
• The low-bandwidth option for replication is supported only for standalone Data Domain systems.
Enabling encrypted file replication
To enable the encrypted file-replication option, enter:
# ddboost file-replication option set encryption enabled
The output indicates that the encryption you requested was enabled.
For more information, see the command ddboost file-replication.
No configuration changes are necessary on the backup server as this feature is transparent to the data protection application. Turning on this feature takes additional resources — CPU and memory — on an EMC� Data Domain� system.
• Enabling or disabling the encrypted file replication option does not require a restart of the Data Domain file system.
• For more information on this feature, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
Installing and configuring DDBoost
• Configuring the Data Domain system
Installing DDBoost
NOTE: Complete descriptions of commands used in this guide are provided in the EMC Data Domain Operating System Command Reference Guide.
The overall steps for installing DDBoost are as follows:
1 Obtain the license required to enable DDBoost on the Data Domain system; purchase a DDBoost license key from EMC.
▪ The DDBoost license allows you to back up and restore data.
▪ A separate replication license enables you to perform replication. You must obtain a replication license for both the source and destination Data Domain systems.
2 Enable and configure DDBoost on the Data Domain system.
At a minimum, configuration includes specifying the DDBoost user name and password.
3 Install vRanger, which contains the DDBoost Libraries.
The EMC� Data Domain� system as it is initially configured does not work through a firewall. If you need the Data Domain system to work in the presence of a firewall, contact your network support provider.
The following ports must be open in a firewall for EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) backups and replication to work:
• TCP 2049 (Network File System [NFS])
• TCP xxx (select a random port for NFS mountd)
Enabling DDBoost on a Data Domain system
Every EMC� Data Domain� system that is enabled for EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) must have a unique name. You can use the Data Domain system’s DNS name, which is always unique.
1 On the Data Domain system, log in as an administrative user.
2 Verify that the file system is enabled and running by entering:
The file system is enabled and running.
3 Add the DDBoost license using the license key that Data Domain provided:
License "ABCE-BCDA-CDAB-DABC" added.
4 Set the DDBoost user by entering:
# ddboost set user-name ddboost-user
Configuring the Data Domain system
This topic describes tasks and commands for configuring the EMC� Data Domain� system.
• Creating a DDBoost user name
• Configuring distributed segment processing
• Configuring Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
Creating a DDBoost user name
An EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) user is an EMC� Data Domain� user. Before setting the DDBoost user access, the username and password must have already been set up on the Data Domain system. vRanger uses the DDBoost user account to connect to the DDBoost repository.
When DDBoost is enabled, a Data Domain OS administrative user can set or change to another DDBoost user. Only one DDBoost user can operate DDBoost at a time.
To set or modify the DDBoost user name:
1 In the DDBoost overview pane located under the Data Management tab, click Add or Modify in the DDBoost User area.
The Set or Modify DDBoost User Name dialog box appears.
▪ To add a user, click the User Name button.
a Enter the user name in the DDBoost User Name field.
The user must be configured in the backup application to connect to the Data Domain system.
b Enter the password twice in the text fields.
c Select the privilege level for this user: admin or user.
▪ To switch to a user that has already been added, click the Existing User button, and select the user name from the drop-down list.
The EMC� Data Domain� system exposes pre-made disk volumes called storage units to an EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�)-enabled backup server. Each Storage Unit is a top-level subdirectory of the /data/col1 directory; there is no hierarchy among Storage Units. When used with vRanger, a DDBoost repository is configured at the Storage Unit level, meaning each DDBoost repository in vRanger equates to exactly one Storage Unit.
NOTE: You may also create a Storage Unit from the vRanger UI during the DDBoost repository configuration, or by using the EMC Data Domain Enterprise Manager web console.
1 To create a storage unit on the Data Domain system, enter:
# ddboost storage-unit create storage-unit_name
IMPORTANT: Each storage unit name must be unique. For devices running Data Domain OS 5.2 and later, the supported characters are alphanumeric characters and ~!@#$^_+`-={}[],.
2 Repeat the previous step for each DDBoost-enabled Data Domain system.
Configuring distributed segment processing
The distributed segment processing option is configured on the EMC� Data Domain� system and applies to all the backup servers and the EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) Libraries installed on them. For more information, see Distributed segment processing.
The option can be configured using the following command:
# ddboost option set distributed-segment-processing {enabled | disabled}
NOTE: Enabling or disabling the distributed segment processing option does not require a restart of the Data Domain file system.
Distributed segment processing is supported with DDBoost Library version 2.2 or later communicating with a Data Domain system that is running Data Domain OS 5.2 or later.
Distributed segment processing is enabled by default on a system initially installed with Data Domain OS 5.2. If a system is upgraded from Data Domain OS 5.0.x to Data Domain OS 5.2 or later, distributed segment processing is left in its previous state.
Configuring Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover
If an interface group is configured, when the EMC� Data Domain� system receives data from the backup server clients, the data transfer is load balanced and distributed as separate jobs on the private network, providing higher input and output throughput, especially for customers who use multiple 1 GbE connections.
Create an interface group on the Data Domain system by adding existing interfaces to the group and registering the Data Domain system with vRanger, as described in the following steps.
1 Verify that the interfaces have been created with the net command.
2 Add the interfaces into the group.
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.1
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.2
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.3
# ddboost ifgroup add interface 192.168.1.4
3 Select one interface on the Data Domain system to register with vRanger.
Quest recommends that you create a failover-aggregated interface and register that interface with vRanger.
It is not mandatory to have one of the interfaces in the ifgroup registered with vRanger. An interface that is not part of the ifgroup can also be used to register with vRanger.
NOTE: EMC recommends that you register the interface with a resolvable name using DNS or any other name resolution mechanism.
The interface registered with vRanger is used by vRanger and the DDBoost Library to communicate with the Data Domain system. If this interface is not available, backups to that Data Domain system are not possible.
4 Enable the feature on the Data Domain system:
5 Verify the configuration of the Data Domain system:
After the interface group is set up, you can add or delete interfaces from the group. You can manage Advanced Load Balancing and Link Failover — an interface group — by using the ddboost ifgroup command or from the Enterprise Manager Data Management > DD Boost view. For more information, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
With EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�), vRanger can control replication between multiple EMC� Data Domain� systems and provide backup administrators with a single point of management for tracking all backups and duplicate copies. This configuration lets you efficiently create disaster recovery (DR) copies of your backups over the WAN, and track all the copies using the vRanger catalog for easy recovery.
When using EMC� Data Domain� Boost (DDBoost�) with vRanger, replication is configured through the vRanger interface. For instructions on enabling replication, see Configuring repository replication.
Enabling low-bandwidth optimization
To enable the low-bandwidth option, enter:
# ddboost file-replication option set low-bw-optim enabled
Low bandwidth optimization enabled for replication.
Enabling or disabling the low-bandwidth optimization option does not require a restart of the EMC� Data Domain� file system. After enabling low-bandwidth optimization, however, you need to run a full cleaning cycle on the Data Domain system for it to be effective.
Low-bandwidth optimization can be monitored and managed with the command ddboost file replication or from the Enterprise Manager Data Management > DD Boost view. For more information, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
No configuration changes are necessary on the backup server as this feature is transparent to the data protection applications.
• Enabling this feature takes additional resources — CPU and memory — on the Data Domain system; Quest recommends that you use this option only when replication is being done over low-bandwidth networks with less than 6 Mbps aggregate bandwidth.
• For more information on this feature, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
• The low-bandwidth option for replication is supported only for standalone Data Domain systems.
Enabling encrypted file replication
To enable the encrypted file-replication option, enter:
# ddboost file-replication option set encryption enabled
The output indicates that the encryption you requested was enabled.
For more information, see the command ddboost file-replication.
No configuration changes are necessary on the backup server as this feature is transparent to the data protection application. Turning on this feature takes additional resources — CPU and memory — on an EMC� Data Domain� system.
• Enabling or disabling the encrypted file replication option does not require a restart of the Data Domain file system.
• For more information on this feature, see the EMC Data Domain Operating System Administration Guide.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms of Use Privacy Cookie Preference Center
