Achieving Optimal Space Utilization and Zero Backup Failures in Data Domain

One of the leading banks in the UAE experienced recurring space shortages in their Data Domain storage, impacting backup processes and causing frequent failures. Intertec identified gaps in their storage management and implemented key improvements, resulting in optimized storage utilization, elimination of backup failures, and reduced manual intervention. This led to a 15% reduction in storage usage and a more efficient backup system, ensuring smoother operations and improved business continuity.

Business Problem

Despite regular automation and cleanups, the Data Domain storage was frequently reaching near full capacity, often hitting 98% utilization. Manual deletion of outdated data was inefficient and unable to resolve the issue, causing backup failures due to lack of space. The absence of a streamlined process for managing tape backups led to delays in data deletion, further exacerbating space utilization problems. This resulted in frequent disruptions to backup operations, impacting data availability and jeopardizing business continuity.

How Intertec Helped

Intertec conducted an in-depth analysis to identify the root causes of storage inefficiencies. We took the following measures to address the issue:

• Optimized Tape Library Utilization: Improved scheduling of tape backups to ensure optimal use of the library, which alleviated the space crunch.
• Streamlined Data Deletion Process: Automated the purging of backup data from Data Domain once it was written onto tapes, minimizing delays and improving space availability.
• Collaboration with AS400 Team: Worked closely with the AS400 team to identify and delete expired data, ensuring a more efficient use of the available storage space.
• Enhanced Cleanup of Backup Data: Targeted cleanups across key systems:
  – GDH: Reduced storage utilization from 98% to 81% by cleaning up 20TB of data.
  – MAR: Reduced storage utilization from 88% to 72% by cleaning up 12TB of data.

Business Outcomes Delivered

The measures implemented by Intertec resulted in several key outcomes:

• Optimized Space Utilization: Data Domain storage utilization was reduced by up to 15%, with key storage volumes dropping from 98% to 81% (GDH) and from 88% to 72% (MAR).
• Zero Backup Failures: No more backup failures due to space limitations, as the team effectively optimized storage, ensuring uninterrupted backups.
• Reduced Manual Intervention: Eliminated the need for manual cleanup processes, reducing the operational burden and allowing for automated management.
• Effective IT Planning: Improved scheduling and utilization of tape backups, ensuring more efficient storage management and timely cleanups.

Intertec’s efforts led to smoother operations, enhanced storage management, and increased backup reliability, enabling the client to operate with minimal disruption and significantly improved storage efficiency.

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