Application Scenarios
SmartDedupe and SmartCompression can work independently or together in scenarios such as database, virtual desktop, and email service. The benefits of using these features include storage space saving, storage efficiency improvement, and investment and O&M cost reduction.
SmartDedupe
SmartDedupe is typically implemented alongside Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). VDI is generally used to create multiple virtual mirrors on a single storage device. However, these mirrors contain a high amount of duplicate data. As duplicate data increases, the storage system may not be able to operate normally. Using SmartDedupe can prevent this issue.
SmartCompression
Data compression consumes CPU resources. CPU resource consumption increases as the volume of data to be compressed increases. SmartCompression is therefore used in the following scenarios:
- Databases
Databases typically have large volumes of stored data. With SmartCompression, over 65% of storage space can be saved with only a negligible dip in performance.
- File services
SmartCompression is also widely applied in file services, for example, a file service system that is only busy half of the time and its data set compression rate reaches 50%.
- Engineering, natural disaster, and geological data
Similar to database backup, this kind of data has a unified storage format but with considerable variations between data sets. Using SmartCompression can help save storage space.
SmartDedupe and SmartCompression Combined
SmartDedupe and SmartCompression can be used together for data test or development systems, file service systems, and engineering data systems.
Application Effects and Recommended Configuration
Table1 Application scenarios and effects of SmartDedupe and SmartCompression lists the scenarios in which SmartDedupe or SmartCompression is applicable and describes the application effects.
Data/Application Type |
Application Scenario |
Storage Space Saving (Using SmartDedupe Only) |
Storage Space Saving (Using SmartCompression Only) |
Storage Space Saving (Using Both SmartDedupe and SmartCompression) |
Recommended Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
File services |
Media assets (NLE/media assets library/VoD) |
Xa |
X |
X |
This application scenario mainly configures video files. Because video files have been compressed by application software, there will not be an obvious benefit to enabling these functions. Therefore, SmartDedupe and SmartCompression are not recommended for this application scenario. |
High-performance computing (biomedicine, genetic research, petroleum, and geological exploration) |
X |
X |
X |
High performance is required in this application scenario. For this reason, you are advised not to configure SmartDedupe and SmartCompression. |
|
Bill image (financial document image archiving) |
X |
X |
X |
This application scenario mainly involves image files. Since images have been compressed and cannot be deduplicated, you are advised not to configure SmartDedupe and SmartCompression in this application scenario. |
|
Public security platform/Electronic archive/Digital library |
Depending on actual data |
Depending on actual data |
Depending on actual data |
For application data that can be deduplicated and compressed, you can enable either or both of the two functions. |
|
Shared access of common files |
Depending on actual data |
Depending on actual data |
Depending on actual data |
You can enable either or both of the two functions. |
|
VDI |
Desktop cloud |
55% |
30% |
60% |
You are advised to configure SmartDedupe only, and to set the deduplication data block size to 8 KB. |
Database |
Oracle |
X |
30% to 65% |
X |
You are advised to configure SmartCompression only, and to set the compression data block size to 8 KB. |
Data backup |
- |
X |
The effect varies depending on site data. |
X |
You are advised to configure SmartCompression only, and to set the compression data block size to 64 KB. |
Other scenarios |
- |
X |
The effect varies depending on site data. |
X |
For other unspecified application scenarios, you are advised to retain the default configuration. |
a: X indicates that the corresponding function is not recommended for the application scenario. |
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The preceding storage space saving figures are for reference only and may vary from the actual figures.
The efficiency of storage space saving is closely related to the type of data. You are advised not to use SmartDedupe and SmartCompression when the data itself is difficult to deduplicate or compress. For example:
- Non-repetitive archive data, such as image files or encrypted data, is recoded or reorganized and difficult to deduplicate or compress.
- For data that has been compressed or encrypted by a hardware device or application (backup or archive application), its data reduction traits have been removed.