Windows 2016 Deduplication

Rapech Sinkg 1 Reputation point
2020-09-05T08:17:23.373+00:00

We run a files server around 3TB on Windows 2016. Free space is ending and there are no additional disk slots. Our IT budget is tight and purchasing new servers is not an option. I have red, that Windows has deduplication feature. Is it worth installing? How much space can I save?

Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
2,505 questions
Windows Server Storage
Windows Server Storage
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Storage: The hardware and software system used to retain data for subsequent retrieval.
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  1. LaMerk 6 Reputation points
    2020-09-05T14:03:15.273+00:00

    I would avoid using deduplication just for extending storage in your case. If all drive bays are occupied, you may add JBOD – it is cheaper as replace the whole server.
    Deduplication is good feature, but it’s efficiency depends on your data. You can check, how much space deduplication may save in your environment with Deduplication Analyzer - https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-deduplication-analyzer

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  2. Xiaowei He 9,891 Reputation points
    2020-09-07T08:34:21.457+00:00

    Hi,

    It's not recommended to enable data deduplication on the volume which is running out of space. To enable data deduplication, we should ensure the volume reserve 10%-20% free space.

    If all drives are full, I would suggest you check if there's any other Servers in your environment have free space, if yes, you may install ISCSI target on the Server, then create virtual disk for the file server to connect, so that we may use ISCSI connection to connect to virutal disks on other Servers.

    Below is an article about how to install ISCSI target Server on a server have free space on drive:

    http://aclouda.com/install-and-configure-iscsi/

    (Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.)

    After configuring ISCSI target Server, on the file server, open ISCSI initiator Properties, enter the Target IP address, then connect to the target:

    22958-image.png

    After connecting to the ISCSI target, we may see the virtual disks in the Disk management on the file server, online and format the virtual disk, then, we may use the virtual disk.

    Thanks for your time!
    Best Regards,
    Anne

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