Storage Scalability (Extensible Storage)


Creation Date: August 16, 2006
Revision Date: October 12, 2011
Product: DS-System

Summary

The "Extensible Data Storage" feature allows a DS-System (standalone or N+1) to make use of multiple storage paths at the same time for storing DS-Client data.

"Extensible Data Storage" allows DS-System to grow its capacity by simply adding a new storage location to the list of available locations. Adding new storage can be done easily and without the need of shutting down the DS-System software.

Extensible data storage

Standard "non-extensible" configuration and drawbacks

A typical hard-drive storage solution features one location where the data is stored. Data is usually added to the storage until the storage space is filled, after which manual intervention is required.

Having one single data storage location has several drawbacks, including the following:

DS-System Solution: Extensible Data Storage

How it works

Configuration requirements

The DS-System is configured with a list of available storage locations. You (the Service Provider) define the maximum amount of data that can be stored at each location (file size and file count):
Path
Max. storage
Max file/dir entries
D:\bak
1.5 TB
7,000,000
E:\bak
1.75 TB
9,000,000
F:\bak
2 TB
10,000,000
\\192.10.10.1\Share1\bak
1.5 TB
7,000,000
.....
.....
.....

Set from: DS-Operator > Setup Menu > Storage > Extensible Storage

The DS-System automatically tracks how much data is in each storage location (without user intervention). Based on this information, it will try to balance the new data that is backed up across the different storage locations. The user only needs to define the fill levels (a one-time configuration that applies to all storage locations):
Fill Percentage
Corresponding fill level
25.00 %
Level 0 (almost empty)
50.00 %
Level 1
70.00 %
Level 2
85.00 %
Level 3
95.00 %
Level 4
99.00 %
Level 5
99.90 %
Level 6
99.99 %
Level 7

Set from: DS-Operator > Setup Menu > Storage > Extensible Storage > Update Storage Fill Levels
Note: The fill levels apply to the Maximum Size you defined for each storage location.

Spreading data across storage locations

The DS-System will use the fill percentages in order to balance the data load across the different available storage locations. If a storage location becomes full (its fill level is higher than some other storage location), all new data will be stored in the storage location(s) that have more space.:

Adding additional Storage locations

If all the storage locations become full (or almost full), more file systems can be created and simply added to the list of available storage locations. The DS-System will take care of the rest. For example, if you have a DS-System that is using four storage locations that have passed an 80% fill level, you can add two (2) new storage locations. Most new data will go to those locations, until the storage in all six locations passes the same fill level (i.e. 80% full).

Note: When the available storage space becomes low, the DS-System can be configured to send E-Mail and/or SNMP notifications.

Benefits of Extensible Storage

Easy management of storage space

Easy to increase DS-System storage capacity

Storage location disaster recovery support

Installation / upgrade notes

Storage Location Disaster Recovery

Configure DS-System in Disaster Recovery mode

See Also



The information provided in this document is provided "AS IS", without warranty of any kind. ASIGRA Inc. (ASIGRA) disclaims all warranties, either express or implied. In no event shall ASIGRA or its business partners be liable for any damages whatsoever, including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if ASIGRA or its business partners have been advised of the possibility of such damages. © Asigra Inc. All Rights Reserved. Confidential.


PREVNEXT