NetApp, which like Sepaton, and Exagrid, uses a post-processing approach, where data is de-duped after it is written to a target disk, has been ramping up its de-dupe strategy during recent months. Earlier this year, for example, the vendor was the first to extend its de-dupe capabilities from secondary to primary storage devices.
The vendor is touting todays announcement as another plank in this primary de-dupe strategy.
Its for both primary and secondary storage, although the main use case is front-end primary storage, says the NetApp exec. HP, Diligent, all those folks, are talking the backup game, but the game has changed and its now on primary storage.
Like NetApps V-Series, rival vendor Data Domain also offers de-dupe gateway devices that can be connected to storage from other vendors, although these focus on backup. Data Domain, unlike NetApp, uses inline de-duplication where data is compressed on the fly while it is being sent to the target.
Despite all of NetApps de-dupe hype, the vendor was unable to offer up any early adopters who are using the V-Series software upgrade, although Cummings reiterated that vendors commitment to de-dupe technology.