Instruction Manual
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Configuring and Using Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS
Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS enable write operation acceleration on clients that use NFS and CIFS file system protocols.
Similar to OST and RDS, these accelerators allow for better coordination and integration between DR Series system
backup, restore, and optimized duplication operations with Data Management Applications (DMAs) such as CommVault,
EMC Networker, and Tivoli Storage Manager. For the current list of supported DMAs, see the
Dell DR Series System
Interoperability Guide
.
Rapid NFS is a new client file system type that ensures that only unique data is written to the DR Series system. It uses
user space components and file system in user space (FUSE) to accomplish this. Metadata operations such as file
creates and permission changes go through the standard NFS protocol, whereas write operations go through Rapid
NFS.
Rapid CIFS is a Windows-certified filter driver that also ensures that only unique data is written to the DR Series system.
All chunking and hash computations are done at the client level.
Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS are only available on the DR6000 platform and require you to install a plug-in on the client. For
details, see the following sections.
NOTE: The supported DMAs listed in the
Dell DR Series System Interoperability Guide
are the DMAs that have
been tested and qualified with Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS. You can use Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS with other
DMAs (such as Symantec products), but Dell has not tested and qualified Rapid NFS or Rapid CIFS on those
products.
Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS Benefits
When Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS are used with the DR Series system, they offer the following benefits:
• Reduce network utilization and DMA backup time
– Chunk data and perform hash computation on the client; transfer chunked hash files on the back-end
– Reduce the amount of data that must be written across the wire
• Improve performance
• Support DMAs such as CommVault, EMC Networker, and Tivoli Storage Manager. For the current list of supported
DMAs, see the
Dell DR Series System Interoperability Guide
.
• Compatible with existing NFS and CIFS clients — just need to install a plug-in (driver) on the client
– Can use Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS to accelerate I/O operations on any client — including a client that uses
home-grown backup scripts
– Can service multiple and concurrent media server backups
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