dedup iSCSI volume containing ESX datastore

[doug_dockter]

Can you run dedup on an volume containing an ESX datastore (iSCSI LUN) while the ESX host is running?

[__frostbyte_9045 · Accepted solution]

Yes you can.  sis runs as a background (schedue-able) service on the filer and ESX is  not aware of the process.  System manager gives you a good view of storage utilization before and after (I like charts).

[doug_dockter]

Thanks.

[radek_kubka]

Be wary though SIS is fairly resource-intensive, especially during the first run, when fingerprints of all 4k blocks get created.

So although ESX server won't be aware of what's exactly going on, your performance during de-dupe scan may suck

I'd schedule it for out of normal business hours (assuming you don't operate 24/7).

Regards,
Radek