vRanger 7.8 - Integration Guide for NetVault SmartDisk

Planning your NetVault SmartDisk deployment

NetVault SmartDisk deployment strategy: an overview

A NetVault SmartDisk deployment strategy includes multiple components, which you define before installing NetVault SmartDisk. To ensure a successful deployment, complete the following steps, which are described in detail in subsequent topics:

•	Define the data that you want to deduplicate.

•	Calculate the size of your NetVault SmartDisk Deployment.

•	Define the deployment location of the NetVault SmartDisk Instance.

•	Define a strategy for the NetVault SmartDisk Storage Pools.

NetVault SmartDisk deployment strategy: an overview

Planning your NetVault SmartDisk deployment

A NetVault SmartDisk deployment strategy includes multiple components, which you define before installing NetVault SmartDisk. To ensure a successful deployment, complete the following steps, which are described in detail in subsequent topics:

•	Define the data that you want to deduplicate.

•	Calculate the size of your NetVault SmartDisk Deployment.

•	Define the deployment location of the NetVault SmartDisk Instance.

•	Define a strategy for the NetVault SmartDisk Storage Pools.

Defining which data to deduplicate

The first step in defining your NetVault SmartDisk Deployment Strategy is determining which data to deduplicate. Not all data benefits from deduplication; therefore, it is important to determine which data is targeted to use the NetVault SmartDisk Deduplication Option to reduce its storage footprint.

Additionally, the longer the data is retained in vRanger, the better the deduplication ratios. The deduplication ratios improve because more duplicate Chunks are found thus enabling the ability to pack more data into the same storage footprint. This ability enables even more protected data to be available through disk-based media. To obtain the most ideal deduplication ratios, Quest recommends a retention period of 12 weeks or more.

Identifying the ideal targets for deduplication

High deduplication ratios are achieved when multiple generations of the same data are targeted for the same NetVault SmartDisk Instance. Data that is an ideal target for deduplication includes the following:

•	Structured databases, such as Oracle® and SQL Server® databases.

•	Source servers using the same operating system and similar applications, such as those protected by vRanger.

•	Email servers, such as Exchange and Domino® systems.

 

NOTE: While email is an ideal target for deduplication, Single Instance Store (SIS), such as storage provided by Exchange, reduces deduplicated data; therefore, the deduplication ratio for the email server is not as high as other types of data.