Deduplication tools eliminate redundant data because only a unique instance
Network Appliance has broadened its existing
de-depulication software across its core storage systems.
Ravi Thota, director of product marketing for data and storage management at
NetApp, said single-instance storage (A-SIS) deduplication, once relegated
in a conjoined offering with Symantec NetBackup, now works on FAS filers and
NearStore R200 storage systems.
of the data is retained on a disk or tape. Redundant data is replaced with a
pointer to the unique data copy and each subsequent instance is referenced
back to the one saved copy.
In short, one physical copy is a proxy for several copies, which is why some
storage experts view deduplication as a form of virtualization technology.
This approach means customers use less storage for the same amount of data,
reducing storage gear, power, and management costs.
Thota said some NetApp customers could only afford to put data on tape for
specific things. Deduplication makes it affordable to put the data on disk,
affording customers new capabilities such as the ability to search data for
legal discovery reasons.
“The overall goal for NetApp is to reduce the amount of storage a customer
needs to purchase and manage across the enterprise,” Thota said.
“Deduplication is one technology that allows us to deliver on that promise.”
NetApp’s A-SIS deduplication now works on NetApp FAS and NearStore R200
storage systems. Thota said customers need Data Ontap operating system
version 7.2.2. R200 customers need only turn on the A-SIS deduplication
license; FAS systems owners can add A-SIS for $3,000 per platform.
Deduplication is offered by a handful of vendors, such as Diligent, Data Domain,
Sepaton, FalconStor and Asigra. With today’s
announcement, NetApp joins EMC , Symantec
and Quantum
as tier-1 storage
providers offering the technology.
NetApp Takes Deduplication to Broader Customer Base
