A deduplication storage folder is a disk-based backup folder that you can use as a destination for backup jobs. When you use a deduplication storage folder, only unique data is stored.
Before you create a deduplication storage folder, you should review the requirements. Symantec recommends a dedicated volume and a large amount of RAM for a deduplication storage folder.
See Requirements for the Deduplication Option.
When you create a deduplication storage folder, Backup Exec installs and configures a database that manages the deduplication process. You can store the deduplication storage folder and the database on the same volume or on separate volumes. However, storing the deduplication storage folder and the database on separate volumes improves the database’s performance.
If you use Backup Exec Central Admin Server Option or SAN Shared Storage Option, a deduplication storage folder can be shared between multiple media servers. Sharing can be enabled when you add a deduplication storage folder. You can select new media servers to share a deduplication storage folder or remove the sharing ability for media servers at any time.
A deduplication storage folder can be created on a storage array. However, if a deduplication storage folder already exists on a media server, then another folder cannot be added to a storage array that is connected to that media server. To add a deduplication storage folder, you must use the Storage Array Configuration Wizard.
After you create a deduplication storage folder, it appears in the Devices view under the name of the Backup Exec media server. However, a deduplication storage folder does not appear in the All Devices device pool. A deduplication storage folder cannot belong to any device pools to prevent a deduplication job from being sent to a non-deduplication device in a device pool if the deduplication storage folder is busy.
You can pause, enable, disable, rename, refresh, and delete a deduplication storage folder. When you use Backup Exec’s option on a deduplication storage folder, the folder is removed from the Backup Exec Database. However, the folder and the files in it remain on the disk.
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