Dedup and Compression – QSAN White Paper

This document explains data reduction techniques, including deduplication and compression, for QSAN XEVO and QSM systems. It outlines how these features reduce data footprint through zero-block elimination, redundancy removal, and compression within all-flash storage environments.

Download: Dedup and Compression PDF

Click here to download the Dedup and Compression White Paper.

Key Sections:

  • Introduction: Overview of data reduction and its role in improving storage efficiency. Explains thin provisioning, deduplication, and compression.
  • Data Deduplication: File-level and block-level deduplication processes, inline vs post-process methods, and benefits like storage efficiency and faster backups.
  • Compression: Describes lossless and lossy compression, encoding process, and how inline and post-process methods differ. Lists benefits such as faster transfer and smaller backups.
  • Deduplication vs. Compression: Compares efficiency, use cases, and combined benefits. Includes summary table and reduction ratios up to 10:1.
  • Factors Influencing Efficiency: Explains how data type, change rate, and backup frequency affect reduction ratio and performance.
  • Data Reduction Usage Guide: Discusses cost-effectiveness (TCO) and SNIA reference showing deduplication’s financial advantage beyond 54.63% reduction.
  • Theory of Operation: Details the inline process — zero-block elimination → deduplication → compression. Covers read, write, and overwrite logic.
  • Configuration:
    • Supported firmware: XEVO ≥3.0.0 / QSM ≥4.1.4 (license required).
    • License activation: request key, apply, and reboot system.
    • Constraints: all-flash pool only; both features enable/disable simultaneously; volumes deactivated after trial expiry.
    • Capacity mapping: 8 GB RAM → 8 TB pool / 2 volumes … 1,024 GB → 1,024 TB / 256 volumes.
  • Test Results:
    • Space Saving Test: Large video 10%, fragmented small files 49%, VMware VMDK 86%.
    • Performance Test: Large video −53% to −58%; small files −20% to −53% impact, 25% time saving.
  • Conclusion: Highlights deduplication and compression as key strategies for efficient, scalable storage.
  • Apply To: XEVO 3 / QSM 4 with valid license.

Critical Notes:

  • WARNING: Deduplication and compression require an active license; trial licenses expire after 30 days.
  • CAUTION: Supported only on all-flash pools, including spares; features activate together.
  • NOTE: Deduplication and compression are applied inline; verify firmware compatibility before enabling.

JetStor Support

For technical assistance with deduplication and compression on JetStor systems:
๐Ÿ“ง [email protected]
๐ŸŽซ Submit Support Ticket