Langmeier Backup 12: How to deduplicate the data backup

Deduplication of backup data is often an important function for business users. Deduplication reduces the storage space required for the backup. In this article we will show you how to deduplicate backup data with Langmeier Backup.

Adding deduplication as a server feature

Deduplication is added as a server feature, usually via the Server Manager or alternatively via PowerShell. It is dependent on file and storage services. If these have already been set up, you must open the tree below this role, where you will find data deduplication.



Although the prerequisites for deduplication are created when the feature is installed, it is activated on a per-volume basis. This can be done both when creating new volumes and by configuring existing volumes. If there is already a lot of data on a drive, you must expect that the recovery of disk space will take some time.

Wizard for new volumes activates deduplication

If you want to set up a new volume, select File/storage services in the left-hand navigation bar in the Server Manager and then switch to Disks or storage pools. There you can set up volumes or virtual disks in the bottom left-hand window. The wizard responsible for this offers a separate dialog for activating and configuring deduplication.



Here you can specify after how many days a new or modified file is processed (measured by Last Modified). The default setting is 5 days, but you can also set the value to zero so that deduplication takes effect regardless of the age of a file. The wizard also offers the option of excluding certain file types based on their extension.

Time-controlled optimization of storage space

A further setting allows the time-controlled execution of deduplication as a supplement or alternative to the background process. The explicit start of the memory saver via schedules is interesting if a server is so busy during the day that the background process does not get enough resources.



Another option, which can be accessed via the command (Configure deduplication) in the context menu of volumes, allows the exclusion of entire directories. Deduplication can also be deactivated again in this dialog. This prevents files from being processed in the future, but files that have already been deduplicated are not restored to their original state.

The system requirements for using deduplication are as follows:

• Windows Server 2012
• NTFS partition