EMC Introduces DD Boost Software for Data Domain Deduplication Storage Systems

Breakthrough Software Enables New Industry Leading Benchmarks for Backup Storage Performance, Minimizes Backup LAN Load and Improves Backup Server Utilization

Contacts

Ed Luboja
203-210-7404
eluboja@datadomain.com

The News

BOSTON, Mass. (EMC World) — May 11, 2010 — EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC), the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, today announced next generation disk-based data protection capabilities with the new EMC® Data Domain® Boost software option. DD Boost is the first solution to optimize and accelerate traditional backup software interaction with deduplication storage. By distributing parts of the deduplication process to the backup server, DD Boost speeds up aggregate backup throughput on EMC Data Domain deduplication storage systems by an average of 50 percent, while significantly reducing load on backup LANs and backup servers. DD Boost, the industry’s most advanced transport and management interface to Data Domain systems, is already supported by third party backup software such as Symantec NetBackup and Backup Exec. Later this year, DD Boost will enable this same interoperability for Data Domain systems with EMC NetWorker® (see separate press release). At that time, the majority of the enterprise backup software market will have the ability to massively improve backup performance and simplify administrative functionality within existing environments by using the new DD Boost capabilities.

Traditionally, backup servers interacted with storage systems using standard protocols, such as NAS (NFS/CIFS) or tape library emulation. Increasingly, backup software vendors are creating interfaces, useable by storage systems products, so that the backup software can better manage and use the advanced functionality of the storage systems. DD Boost leverages this approach and takes it to a new level, becoming the first implementation in the industry to distribute deduplication storage processing into the backup server of traditional backup software.

The DD Boost software library is distributed to the backup server and identifies data segments inline as they arrive. After asking the Data Domain storage system which segments are new, it compresses and forwards only the unique segments. In addition to increasing the aggregate backup throughput of the storage system, this reduces local network traffic from 80 to 99 percent, since redundant data segments do not traverse the wire only to be discarded as duplicates later. It also reduces the overall resource use on existing backup servers by 20 to 40 percent because it minimizes data copy overhead. Separately, DD Boost also enables application level link aggregation, failover and load balancing, making optimal use of multiple links for throughput while adding further resilience and management flexibility.

Product Details and User Benefits

The new capabilities in DD Boost increase aggregate backup throughput on Data Domain systems by an average of 50 percent. For example, the benchmark for the EMC Data Domain DD880, its flagship single-controller system, has increased to 8.8 TB/hour compared to 5.4 TB/hour at product introduction.
In addition, DD Boost enables backup applications to control network efficient EMC Data Domain Replicator software so multiple copies of data can be managed from the backup application’s console, giving administrators a global view of their backup and disaster recovery (DR) environment.
Leveraging DD Replicator software, DD Boost can automate WAN vaulting for use in disaster recovery, remote office backup, or multi-site tape consolidation initiatives. Cross-site deduplication further minimizes the required bandwidth since only the first instance of data is transferred across any of the WAN segments.
DD Boost supports all Data Domain systems, including the new EMC Data Domain Global Deduplication Array.

Industry Analyst Quote

“The integration of backup software with deduplication storage is not just about enhancing performance—it’s about increasing functionality to enable a more streamlined and sophisticated user experience,” said Laura DuBois, Program Director, Storage Software, IDC. “With DD Boost, EMC again reinforces its position that users can effectively achieve backup redesign using disk and deduplication to solve the challenges commonly associated with legacy infrastructures.”

EMC Executive Quote

“There has been no significant change in roles between backup clients, backup servers and target storage in the last 20 years of traditional backup software deployment architectures, until right now,” said Brian Biles, Vice President of Product Management, EMC Backup Recovery Systems Division. “By distributing parts of the deduplication process to the backup server, everything from the backup server to the Data Domain systems gets faster and more efficient. It represents a pivotal architectural change that will underpin the next generation of disk-based data protection products. DD Boost literally thinks outside the box.”

Availability

DD Boost software is available immediately for use with Symantec™ NetBackup and Backup Exec. DD Boost software for EMC NetWorker will be available in the second half of 2010. For more information about EMC Data Domain deduplication storage systems, please visit http://www.emc.com/products/family/data-domain-family.htm.

DD Boost increases throughput by distributing parts of the deduplication process to the backup server

Brian Biles, Vice President Product Management, EMC Backup Recovery Systems Division

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About EMC

EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) is the world’s leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC’s products and services can be found at www.EMC.com.

EMC, Data Domain, NetWorker and Avamar are registered trademarks or trademarks of EMC Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iii) our ability to protect our proprietary technology; (iv) risks associated with managing the growth of our business, including risks associated with acquisitions and investments and the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (v) fluctuations in VMware, Inc.'s operating results and risks associated with trading of VMware stock; (vi) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (vii) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (viii) component and product quality and availability; (ix) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (x) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (xi) war or acts of terrorism; (xii) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xiii) fluctuating currency exchange rates; (xiv) litigation that we may be involved in; and (xv) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.