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)