Data Domain OS 6.2: Faster Data Protection, with Expanded Cloud Ecosystem, and Greater Flexibility

This is blog #1 in our series and will focus on enhancements with Dell EMC Data Domain appliances in the Cloud.

What a start to the year 2019. Dell EMC Data Domain delivers another feature packed software release (Data Domain OS 6.2) with hardware component enablement. The key themes for this release are:

  • Dell EMC Data Domain DD3300 Enhancements: We acted on the feedback from our customers related to DD3300, and are proud to announce faster networking, support for VTL use case over Fiber Channel, and more flexibility from a capacity upgrade perspective by introducing a new DD3300 model at 8TB that can grow-in-place up to 16TB, and provides a clean upgrade path to 32TB on a single box.
  • Increased Differentiation: We made significant strides in improving performance – single stream restore performance has improved up to 4X compared to the previous release (Data Domain OS 6.1.2), and so has the overall restore performance. We have expanded our Cloud ecosystem for both Dell EMC Cloud Tier and Dell EMC Data Domain Virtual Edition (DD VE) with support for Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba Cloud. In addition, DD VE also supports AWS GovCloud and Azure Government Cloud.
  • Simplified Experience: Better management through automation and end-to-end data protection visibility  with Dell EMC Data Domain Management Center (DD MC)
  • Serviceability and TCE enhancements: Get more from your Dell EMC Data Domain appliances

Dell EMC Data Domain Virtual Edition (DD VE)

Video: Data Domain Virtual Edition Overview

Video: Data Domain Virtual Edition Use Cases

As the adoption of DD VE has dramatically increased, Dell EMC decided to further build on that momentum both on-premise and in the cloud. DD VE in cloud supports backup to object storage. DD VE users benefit from increased efficiency and reliability, as well as a lower TCO, reducing the overall cost of protecting data.  We further increased the transactional and operational efficiency by increasing the instance size up to 96TB to reduce transactional overhead. The object size written to cloud has been increased to minimize the number of transactions (4MB for VSC & 1MB for others). We are extending that same support to AWS GovCloud and Azure Government Cloud.

DD VE now supports Google Cloud Platform (GCP) up to 96TB with support for object storage.

Dell EMC Cloud Tier

From a Cloud Tier perspective, we support Cloud Seeding, multi-stream recall for better performance, free space estimator capability that helps the customer when moving data to the cloud, expanded support to both Google Cloud Platform and Alibaba Cloud. With Data Domain OS 6.2, we are now extending DD VE Try and Buy to Cloud Tier.

Video: Cloud Tier Overview

Cloud seeding for efficiency: Cloud seeding is similar to tape seeding where the entire data set is moved to the cloud in one go. This is something that happens transparently. This is particularly useful when you have a Dell EMC Data Domain DD9800 that is 80% utilized and must move a large chunk of the capacity very quickly to the cloud.

Multi-stream recall for performance: This is a powerful feature that delivers improved performance from stream concurrency. For example, let’s say you are trying to recall a single file from the  cloud and you are constrained by the network even if you have enough resources available. We took what worked very well in replication with AMS (Automatic Multi-Streaming), and now used it for recalling a single file from the  cloud without affecting core backup work. This results in improved performance and network utilization.

Free Space Estimator Capability: This capability helps in facilitating TCO analysis. With  this Free Space Estimator capability customers will now be able to estimate the space that will be freed up on the Data Domain Active Tier if the data were to be moved to Cloud Tier. This will enable customers who don’t have Cloud Tier to evaluate if pushing the data to the cloud is a feasible option for them.  It also works in an environment where Cloud Tier is enabled.

In summary, Data Domain OS 6.2 is a very feature packed release that brings a lot of value to our customers. We hope you will consider upgrading your Data Domain appliances with Data Domain OS 6.2. To learn more about Dell EMC Data Domain, check out the Dell EMC Data Domain home page, read Data Protection blogs, and follow @DellEMCProtect on Twitter for our latest announcements and content.

Further Resources

Video: Dell EMC Data Protection Appliance Launch Broadcast

Blog: Dell EMC Data Protection Appliance Announcement

Infographic: Dell EMC Data Protection Appliances

The second blog in this series will focus on enhancements to the Data Domain appliance. Check back on February 27th for more information or talk with your Sales Rep for the full story today!

About the Author: Amit Sawant

Amit Sawant is a proven management leader with many years of experience in data storage, data analytics, and computer networking. His core strengths lie in translating concepts into reality through exceptional thought leadership, collaboration and negotiation skills. Amit is currently a Product Management leader with Dell EMC where he drives platform product and business strategy for Data Domain, including new initiatives, such as AI/ML, Blockchain and Flash technology. He is also an Executive in Residence with North Carolina State University's Office of Technology Commercialization and New Ventures where he mentors university scientists and engineers how to apply Lean Startup methods to bring university-developed products and services to the marketplace. Amit holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; a Ph.D. and M.S. in computer science (specialization in data analytics and visualization) from North Carolina State University.