Storage Systems
| The primary difference is how the storage is made accessible to the Backup Repository server (Windows | Linux | Hardened) |
- DAS connects directly to the server
- SAN uses the network
Direct-Attached Storage (DAS)
This is a fast, easy and cost-effective way to use storage. It can be used as single system or grouped together in a Scale-out Backup Repository. DAS is a normal industry standard x64 server with a bunch of disks attached to it.
Considerations
- Use a RAID controller with battery cache.
- RAID 6/60 generally offers the best solution from a price, performance and reliability perspective.
- Scale vertical by adding more disks to increase I/O and/or capacity while a minimal increase in TCO.
- Scale horizontal by adding more servers to increase IO and/or capacity and to spread the risk (e.g. not storing all backups onto a single server), but increases TCO.
Important: For Windows-based ReFS Backup Repositories only use certified RAID controllers from the Windows Server Catalog. Check KB2792 for more info.
| Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Lower Cost | Single point(s) of failure (Server, RAID controller) |
| High Performance | |
| Simplified Management | |
| Flexible Capacity |
Storage Area Network (SAN)
SAN storage has similar advantages as DAS, but on top can provide high-availability of storage controllers, volume sizes that can be increased online and centralized storage management.
Considerations
- You can configure multiple backup repositories on one SAN storage system to increase throughput.
- Can be easily virtualized by presenting LUNs to VMs using iSCSI.
| Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Reliability | Complexity (e.g. dedicated storage network) |
| Performance | Cost |
| Technical Capabilities | |
| Enhanced Availability |
File Systems
XFS
A Linux server with XFS is the recommended backup repository. It can leverage Fast Clone and most importantly, it supports immutability.
ReFS
A Windows server with ReFS can also leverage Fast Clone, but does not support immutability and is therefore not the preferred choice. When choosing Windows with ReFS, make sure to use a SOBR and add an immutable Capacity Tier or have Backup Copy Jobs in place to immutable Backup Repositories.
References
- Build Section - Block Storage
- DAS - Microsoft Windows Server
- DAS - Linux Server
- DAS - Hardened Repository
- Veeam Helpcenter - Fast Clone