You have three options:
- add more storage to the server --> hardware cost
- buy the deduplication option of backup exec --> license cost
- go for an appliance
In the end I think it's cheaper to buy the license!
1. When you go for more storage, please follow these guidelines:
The initial size for the B2D volumes are set to 4GB. Extend the size to the size of the smallest backup and set it to full-allocation. This wil ensure that everything is written in bigger files that will enhance the performance. Secondly, I have noticed that the backup will run slower and slower during time caused by disk fragementation. Enable defragementation on these disks, but enable them when you have the ability to stop the services. Also if you have the ability, define more than one Backup-to-disk volume (it may reside on the same raidset).
2. Deduplication (puredisk engine)
By using this license, you will have the ability to perform client- and mediaserver-based deduplication. Deduplication is process where the software will compare different blocks on disk. If you have the same blocks, it will not store the data on disk but make a pointer to the previously stored block. As this company want's a full back every night, you will greatly decrease the needed diskspace and also the storage-cost. (do not enable disk defragmentation on these disks!!!!!!)
3. Appliance
I have tested the data domain appliance in our demo environment and noticed the booster software for backup exec. You can use the appliance as vtl (configure your backupsoftware to use only one stream per virtual tape device) or as nas. When you add the deduplication option, you will get the ability to use booster software (it divides calculations between appliance and media server).
If this helped you, please mark it as solution. Thanks!
