Virtual Data Optimizer (VDO)

In this section, you can find information on how to enable deduplication using basically any block storage available. We assume that you have prepared your storage provider and have exposed the block device to the system where vProtect Node is installed.

Preparation

1. Log in to vProtect Node and create a mount directory as in the example /backupdestination

   mkdir /backupdestination

2. List all existing disks, and find your drive:

   [root@vProtect01 ~]# fdisk -l | grep dev
   Disk /dev/sda: 32.2 GB, 32212254720 bytes, 62914560 sectors
   /dev/sda1   *        2048     1026047      512000   83  Linux
   /dev/sda2         1026048    62914559    30944256   8e  Linux LVM
   Disk /dev/sdc: 500 GB, 17179869184 bytes, 33554432 sectors
   Disk /dev/sdb: 21.5 GB, 21474836480 bytes, 41943040 sectors
   Disk /dev/mapper/centos-root: 28.5 GB, 28462546944 bytes, 55590912 sectors
   Disk /dev/mapper/centos-swap: 3221 MB, 3221225472 bytes, 6291456 sectors

3. Let's assume /dev/sdc is your empty block device that you want to use.

4. Log in to the vProtect web UI.

5. Go to Backup Destinations.

6. Click on Create Backup Destination, choose File system.

7. Type the name for the new backup destination, set the retention and select at least one node configuration.

8. Usually, you have to decide if your backup destination is a separate entity than the staging space.

   • If the staging space is different than your backup destination storage:

     • In Storage paths type /backupdestination - this path will be used to mount the prepared file system (XFS) on top of the VDO volume.

     • Check Enable deduplication.

     • Provide your block device (i.e. /dev/sdc) as your Deduplication device.

9. If the staging space needs to be the same as your backup destination storage:

   • In Storage paths type /vprotect_data/backups - this path assumes that /vprotect_data is your staging space path and backupsis a subdirectory of the staging space.

   • Check Enable deduplication.

   • Provide your block device (i.e. /dev/sdc) as your Deduplication device.

   • Enable Mount deduplicated file system to a different directory than backup destination path and provide the mount point - your staging space path, i.e. /vprotect_data - this will force vProtect to mount XFS on top of VDO in the staging space directory rather than in the backup subdirectory.

• Note: Only one file system backup destination with deduplication using VDO pointing to a specific directory can be used.

  • If you want to add another backup destination using the same VDO device, but just a different subdirectory, create it without deduplication enabled.

  • Save the configuration.