Windows Server 2019 ReFS usage ...

[Didi7]

Hi everybody,

in this case we use a Windows Server 2019 machine with data partitions (for Repositories) using ReFs with 64KB Cluster size.

I know that e.g. exporting backups using ReFS saves so much space but apart from this, does it make sense to enable Data Deduplication role as well or this counter productive?

Depending on recommendations here, we will enable this on 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025 VBR servers.

Thanks and best regards,
Didi7

[Mildur]

Hi Didi

You should use ReFS without Windows deduplication. Windows deduplication does not provide the same performance as FastClone. And If I remember correctly, the manageable volume size with Windows deduplication is rather small compared to whats possible with FastClone.

Please note, we will not use our FastClone if we detect ReFS deduplication enabled.

From our Help Center:

Fast Clone and Windows data deduplication cannot be used simultaneously. Thus, if you target a backup job to a repository supporting Fast Clone and enable Windows data deduplication, the Fast Clone technology will not be used for this job.

Best,
Fabian

[Didi7]

Hi Mildur,

thanks for the prompt answer. Acknowledged. Windows Data Deduplication role will not be enabled for all VBR-servers here now.

Regards,
Didi7