Essential Guide
Complete guide to backup deduplication
This guide offers information on backup deduplication technology today, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it's being used.
Introduction
Backup deduplication, which reduces storage needs by eliminating redundant data, has moved from cutting-edge technology to mainstream staple. The data protection technology first showed up in 2003, aimed at organizations looking to move away from tape for the performance of disk-based backups. More than a decade later, dedupe is common in backup products, and can be a valuable instrument in data protection strategy.
But there are many elements to consider in picking the backup deduplication technology that fits best. How do zone-level and block-level deduplication compare? What are the differences between deduplication and compression? How important are deduplication ratios? What are the pros and cons of source and target deduplication?
Check out this comprehensive collection of backup deduplication content and get started learning now.
1What's up-
Backup deduplication technology today
Whether you are new to the technology or just need a refresher, these articles will get you up to speed on the backup deduplication space today.
Deduplication can be powerful backup tool
Learn to use the right backup deduplication method, and how the process differs from compression. Continue Reading
Pick the right deduplication system
Learn how deduplication technology works and some factors that should play into how you decide which backup system to use. Continue Reading
How deduplication benefits, affects data backup
Deduplication can produce faster and more frequent backups, but its performance can vary. Continue Reading
A primer on backup dedupe
Backup deduplication is so common today, it is often taken for granted. However, there are a number of things to consider before choosing a dedupe approach. Continue Reading
A history of deduplication
Since debuting in 2003, data dedupe has become a mainstream technology. Continue Reading
Significant developments in backup deduplication
Deduplication accelerators are among the improvements in dedupe technology. Continue Reading
An analysis of deduplication arrays
Brien Posey discusses who is using deduplicating disk arrays today and the latest dedupe tools in this Expert Answer. Continue Reading
2Tech notes-
How deduplication is performed
There are many different ways that backup deduplication can be performed. Software vs. hardware, post-process vs. inline, target vs. source, and more. Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Advantages to zone-level dedupe
Zone-level deduplication may be a better fit than block-level deduplication. Continue Reading
Semantic deduplication vs. global dedupe
There are a number of products that perform global deduplication using a very similar technique to semantic dedupe. Continue Reading
Considerations for dedupe hardware selection
Choosing the right deduplication hardware option requires a comparison of expected savings, performance requirements and storage capacity consumption. Continue Reading
Comparing post-process and inline dedupe
Rachel Dines outlines post-process and inline deduplication, as well as fixed and variable-block length dedupe. Continue Reading
Backup deduplication software vs. dedupe appliances
Learn the differences between software and hardware backup deduplication in this Expert Response from Rachel Dines. Continue Reading
Hardware-based dedupe, software-based or both?
Learn the pros and cons of software- and hardware-based deduplication and how they are typically used to complement each other. Continue Reading
Source and target dedupe: Benefits and drawbacks
Take a look at target and source deduplication today, including their pros and cons. Continue Reading
Try combining source and target deduplication
Many dedupe vendors offer both source- and target-based backup. This piece compares source and target deduping and discusses how they are typically used to complement each other. Continue Reading
Free Download: Complete guide to backup deduplication
Access all of the 31 articles in our Data Deduplication Essential Guide by downloading our comprehensive PDF version so that you can access all of this expert content in one, easy-to-read resource.
3Real world -
How deduplication is used today
Many organizations struggle with data growth. Deduplication, along with other techniques such as data lifecycle management, is aimed at addressing this ongoing issue. This section explores some of the ways backup deduplication is being used today -- to move data off-site, for virtual machine (VM) backups and more.
Deduplication common in virtual storage environments
Compression and deduplication are similar but different data reduction methods, and both have their place in virtual servers. Continue Reading
Deduplication in an all-flash environment
Data reduction methods such as deduplication and compression are taking the all-flash data center to the next level. Continue Reading
Survey says: Many using backup deduplication
A Storage magazine survey finds respondents implementing dedupe and evaluating cloud backup services to deal with issues in their data backup process. Continue Reading
Which applications are well suited for deduplication?
In this Expert Response, Rachel Dines outlines the types of data that yield high deduplication ratios. Continue Reading
Software-based deduplication and cloud backup
Learn about the software dedupe options available today and about the ways cloud backup is driving interest in dedupe. Continue Reading
Windows Server or backup software deduplication?
Now that deduplication has become a mainstream technology, IT pros are forced to choose between competing deduplication solutions. Continue Reading
Virtual servers can benefit from backup deduplication
In this Expert Answer, independent backup expert Brien Posey discusses using deduplication when backing up VMs. Continue Reading
Leverage data deduplication technology for DR
Data deduplication isn't just for backups anymore -- learn how data dedupe technology can be an important part of your disaster recovery (DR) strategy. Continue Reading
Deduplication can improve disaster recovery
Deduplication is an important strategy for DR. Learn more about data dedupe solutions in this expert tip by Paul Kirvan. Continue Reading
Deduplication's effect on data lifecycle management
In this tip, independent backup expert Brien Posey offers information about how data deduplication impacts data lifecycle management. Continue Reading
4Issues-
Data deduplication challenges
Dedupe has changed the way backups are performed, but as with any technology, it can't solve every problem IT pros face. These articles take a look at some deduplication challenges.
Are vendor-advertised deduplication ratios worth considering?
Be cautious when it comes to dedupe ratios as stated by vendors. Continue Reading
When to disable the deduplication process
There are two situations when it may be best to shut off backup deduplication. Continue Reading
Are target dedupe storage appliances losing their relevancy?
Marc Staimer examines why the market for target deduplication storage appliances appears to be in decline, even with the presence of EMC, Symantec and HP. Continue Reading
Backup dedupe doesn't solve all problems
John Hilliard and Marc Staimer discuss backup deduplication in this Q&A. Continue Reading
Deduplication tax among important considerations
In the ninth and final part of our deduplication series, Brien Posey discusses the so-called deduping tax and other things to consider with deduplication. Continue Reading
How to make deduplication work more efficiently
Deduplication is a key piece of the backup process, but it can bog down backup systems. Find out how dedupe accelerators help. Continue Reading
5Glossary-
A list of essential definitions
Learn some of the key terms regarding deduplication.
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