Architecture Guidelines for deduplicating storage systems

Challenge

The following Veeam technologies are dependent on primary backup storage random I/O performance:

• Instant VM Recovery
• Windows and Linux File Level Recovery
• Cloud Tier
• Cloud Mobility
• DataLabs
• SureBackup
• Staged Restore
• Universal Restore (U-AIR)
• On-Demand Sandbox
• Secure Restore
• Backup and Backup Copy Jobs when configured with one of the following:
• Health Check
• Compact processing
• Synthetic Fulls
• Forever Forward Incremental (Merges)
• Reverse Incremental
• Backup to Tape Jobs, specifically when performed with synthesized fulls
• Replication when performed from backup as a source
• Backup Copy Job processing on source side

Cause

Applying deduplication to storage systems is a technique used to reduce the space required to maintain a desired backup retention. Deduplicating storage systems are often optimized for sequential write operations and can offer high ingest rates, however, there can be a trade off in the form of higher latency when random read operations are required, as they are with the list of features above.

Solution

When using Veeam with a deduplicating storage system a best practice can be to have a non-duplicating storage system as the primary backup target for the most recent restore points and then use backup copy jobs for long term retention.
It is important to note that while this is Veeam’s general recommendation, there is a wide array of different hardware deduplication options, some of which have Veeam specific features enabled or are built with solid state drives to improve random read performance. Because of this, Veeam encourages an in-depth recovery time and recovery point requirements discussion with a value-added reseller or the hardware manufacturer to determine how best to leverage deduplicating storage.
Veeam has worked with strategic alliance partners to list these use cases and offer several architecture options to meet the needs of any scenario.

• Best Practices for HPE
• Best Practices for Exagrid
• Best Practices for Dell EMC DataDomain
• Best Practices for Quantum

NOTE: Veeam supports the general use of all storages, including deduplication appliances. For a list of devices known to be compatible through testing, please see the Veeam Ready Program.