Computer Associates BABNWUP900NE6 Administration Guide - Page 51

Matching Storage Capacity to Resources, Calculating Media Capacity

Page 51 highlights

Defining Storage-capacity Requirements Matching Storage Capacity to Resources Your ability to meet your storage-capacity requirements depends on the following criteria: ■ The types of libraries you have ■ The number of each type you have ■ The types of media each library uses After you have identified types and numbers of libraries that will be available, you can calculate the capacity of each library using the following formula: totalcapacity = numberslotsavailable × mediaelementcapacity In this formula, the numberslotsavailable is the number of slots available in the robotic library and mediaelementcapacity is the capacity of the media elements used by the installed drives. Calculating Media Capacity The raw capacity of the media varies with the type of drives, the type of media, and the degree of data compression that you are using. You should deduct the following from the raw capacity to arrive at the real data capacity: Deduct ~10% for overhead. This allows for the BrightStor ARCserve Backup media header and various engine-specific overhead information. Note that the overhead may be more if you are backing up a large number of very small files. For example, if you try to back up 1 Terabyte on ten media elements that hold 100 GB each (after deducting overhead), media usage will require 100% efficient every time you back up. Because this is unlikely, you need to use eleven media elements. On the other hand, you can back up 1 Terabyte to six cartridges that hold 200 GB each (after deducting overhead), because you have a healthy 200-GB (20%) cushion. The allowances specified above are important. If you do not set aside space for overhead and variations in media usage, you may run out of media during a backup operation and may, consequently, not have a timely and complete backup. Other Factors Affecting Storage Capacity Calculations Media elements have lifetimes that are usually specified in usage time or numbers of uses or passes across the media. Make sure you take media aging into account when calculating the number of media required. Consult the manufacturer's recommendations. Planning 2-13

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Defining Storage-capacity Requirements
Planning
2–13
Matching Storage Capacity to Resources
Your ability to meet your storage-capacity requirements depends on the following
criteria:
The types of libraries you have
The number of each type you have
The types of media each library uses
After you have identified types and numbers of libraries that will be available, you
can calculate the capacity of each library using the following formula:
totalcapacity = numberslotsavailable × mediaelementcapacity
In this formula, the
numberslotsavailable
is the number of slots available in the
robotic library and
mediaelementcapacity
is
the capacity of the media elements
used by the installed drives.
Calculating Media Capacity
The raw capacity of the media varies with the type of drives, the type of media, and
the degree of data compression that you are using. You should deduct the
following from the raw capacity to arrive at the real data capacity:
Deduct ~10% for overhead.
This allows for the BrightStor ARCserve Backup media header and various
engine-specific overhead information. Note that the overhead may be more if you
are backing up a large number of very small files.
For example, if you try to back up 1 Terabyte on ten media elements that hold 100
GB each (after deducting overhead), media usage will require 100% efficient every
time you back up. Because this is unlikely, you need to use eleven media elements.
On the other hand, you can back up 1 Terabyte to six cartridges that hold 200 GB
each (after deducting overhead), because you have a healthy 200-GB (20%)
cushion.
The allowances specified above are important. If you do not set aside space for
overhead and variations in media usage, you may run out of media during a
backup operation and may, consequently, not have a timely and complete backup.
Other Factors Affecting Storage Capacity Calculations
Media elements have lifetimes that are usually specified in usage time or numbers
of uses or passes across the media. Make sure you take media aging into account
when calculating the number of media required. Consult the manufacturer’s
recommendations.