Configuring an extensible storage location
When configuring an extensible storage location, consider the following:
• If the DS-System license is less than 2 TB, one extensible storage location for the DS-System should be sufficient.
• If the DS-System license is over 2 TB, all DS-System storage locations should be approximately the same size and not be less than 2 TB.
NOTE: You can associate one storage group with multiple extensible storage locations. The DS-System balances the data across storage locations belonging to the same storage group.
Extensible storage works at the file-level, so each file must be saved entirely in the free space existing on the same storage location. This is applicable for each generation backed up and also applies during the reconstruction process. The DS-System must always have sufficient free space available on a storage location to reconstruct the largest stored file on that location.
NOTE: By default, a DS-System running on Windows does not allow the adding of multiple storage locations on the same DS-System. You can configure this option using the
MultiStorage advanced configuration parameter. For more information, see
“Configuring the advanced settings”.
To configure an extensible storage location:
1. On the Setup menu, point to Storage, and then click Extensible Storage. The following information is displayed:
Table 3 Extensible Storage Locations
Column | Description |
|---|
Group | Storage Group to which the corresponding Extensible Storage Location belongs. |
ID | ID that is automatically assigned to the Storage Group by the DS-System. |
Path | Path of the storage location. |
Size (Used) | Logical size configured for each storage location. |
Entries (Used) | Number of files as a percentage of the Maximum Files set for the storage location. |
Disk Space | Current amount of physical disk space left on the storage location. |
Size (Trash) | Native size of the files in the trash folder of a storage location. |
Files (Trash) | Total number of files in the trash folder of a storage location. |
2. Do one of the following:
• To add a new storage location, click Add.
• To modify a storage location, select the storage location, and click Edit.
NOTE: To delete a storage location, select the storage location, and then click Delete. You can delete a storage location only if it has been retired.
• To update the list of storage locations, click Refresh.
3. In the New / Edit Storage Location dialog box, do the following:
a) Beside the Path box, click [...] and select a path visible to the DS-System computer.
b) In the Total Size box, select the total size available.
c) In the Guard Size box, select a reserve amount as a free space buffer.
NOTE: The guard size for a new extensible storage location should be 10% of the total size.
d) The amount in the Maximum Size box is calculated automatically based on the total size minus the guard size. When the DS-System reaches 100% of the maximum size for any of the storage locations, the DS-System enters a read-only state and rejects all backup activities until some additional storage space is added to the storage location or some space is freed up on the storage location.
e) In the Maximum Files box, select the maximum number of individual files to be stored in the location. This number must be based on the recommendations for the file system of the storage location and is used to balance the data between different extensible storage locations within the same storage group.
NOTE: When this maximum limit is reached, the DS-System continues to save data on the storage location.
f) To configure the list of storage groups, beside the Storage Group box, click [...], and then do one of the following:
• To add a storage group, click Add. Configure the storage group, and then click OK.
• To modify a storage group, select the storage group, and then click Edit. Configure the storage group, and then click OK.
• To update the list of storage groups, click Refresh.
NOTE: To delete a storage group, select the storage group, and then click Delete.
NOTE: Each storage group has its own internal ID number. If you change the name of a storage group that is already assigned to a storage location, it will update automatically (the internal ID does not change).
g) To integrate the extensible storage location with a specific NAS storage volume (separate purchase and configuration required), beside the Storage Volume box, click [...], and do one of the following:
NOTE: The Snapshot Path box does not appear for EMC VNX storage volumes because it is handled internally through the vendor API.
• To add a storage volume, click Add. Configure the storage volume and then click OK.
• To modify a storage volume, select the storage volume, and then click Edit. Configure the storage volume and then click OK.
NOTE: To delete a storage volume, select the storage volume, and then click Delete.
h) Click Close.
4. To set the fill levels for all storage locations, beside the Fill Levels box, click [...]. Configure the storage fill levels, and then click OK.
NOTE: These are the levels at which the DS-System automatically starts sending data to other storage locations within the same storage group until all locations have an equal fill level. The DS-System sends backup data to the storage location that has the lowest fill level in its storage group.
5. Click Close.