De-duplication can reduce network bandwidth by a factor of 300

What are some current trends in de-duplication solutions?



De-duplication frees up memory and disk space by getting rid of redundant

data, physical space and provides for a smarter backup system. These benefits

prompt enterprise users to redesign their backup systems overall. De-duplication

is hence catalyzing the change in the manner of backup systems.

Back-up de-duplication can occur in two main placesat the data source or

at the back-up target.



The maximum interest is coming from a need to provide single step recovery.

Deduplication allows users to centrally manage the back-up of multiple remote

sites. It can also stop the avalanche of full and incremental backup data before

it formsreducing backup times, client resource consumption, and network

utilization.

What significance does the integration of Networker with Data Domain hold?

How does it change the scenario for customers?



The new EMC Data Domain Boost software comes with the next generation

disk-based data protection capabilities. By distributing parts of the

de-duplication process to the backup server, DD Boost speeds up aggregate backup

throughput on EMC Data Domain de-duplication storage systems by an average of

50%. It significantly reduces load on backup LANs and backup servers.

For non-NetWorker customers, with the introduction of DD Boost Software, EMC

is enabling faster backup and efficiency right from the backup systems to the

Data Domain systems. DD Boost enables backup applications to control

network-efficient EMC Data Domain Replicator software so multiple copies of data

can be managed from the backup applications console, giving administrators a

global view of their backup and disaster recovery (DR) environment.

What are the factors pushing the demand for data de-duplication solutions?



Data de-duplication is the process of comparing data with existing data and

identifying if the data match or are identical. If the data is found to be

identical, instead of saving a second copy of the same data, the technology

links the file to the original data, thus eliminating the need for another copy

of the same data. This saves disk space, enhances system memory and improves

system performance, and also enables a faster backup process. Deduplication can

reduce network bandwidth and backup storage by a factor of 300.

What are the challenges that CIOs should be aware of while adopting data

de-duplication?



CIOs must ensure that the data represents the type that will be prevalent in the
relevant organizations environment. They should also ensure that replication is

supported. De-duplication is a win-win proposition. And the RoI improvement

amplifies if it implemented correctly. Typical challenges customers should be

aware of: understand the data de-duplication process well, whether to use source

based or target base; how often they do full or incremental or differential

backupshigher the number of full backups, higher de-duplication ratios; and as

each customers data is different, to avoid any confusion later, they should

always try to do the de-duplication assessment.

Komal Langar



maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in


The author was hosted in Boston by EMC)