FalconStor FDS SA101

FalconStor’s latest FDS SA101 data deduplication appliance has a range of unusual data reduction features. It performed very well in our lab tests but is expensive so read this review before buying to find out if it’s worth the extra cash.

IT Pro Verdict

FalconStor’s FDS SA101 performed exceptionally well in our lab tests showing it was capable of providing higher backup speeds and better deduplication ratios than much of the competition at this level of the market. Remote site replication is also good as it supports up to 150 sources as standard but the repository is very small considering the high price and it can’t be upgraded.

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We configured a test server with Windows Server 2008 R2 and chose CA's ARCserve as we find it more amenable than Symantec Backup Exec when using network shares as backup locations. After the first full backup was completed, we modified 2 per cent of data in 40 per cent of the files prior to each subsequent backup.

We used FalconStor's statistics to see what ratios were being achieved and after a one-month simulation we saw it report a deduplication ratio of 8.9:1. This was better than Quantum's DXi4520 which reported a ratio of 7.22:1 for exactly the same test.

To gauge general performance we used ARCserve to copy a 28GB test folder with over 13,000 files to a new share on the appliance with automatic deduplication enabled. Over Gigabit Ethernet the job was completed at a rate of 168GB/hour as opposed to Quantum's 152GB/hour.

Our tests show that FalconStor uses more efficient deduplication algorithms than Quantum and is faster for backup operations. However, it costs a lot more and this is highlighted by the size of the repositories offered by each vendor.

Quantum's entry-level DXi4510 costs around the same as the SA101 but has a repository of 2.2TB. FalconStor's FDS SA102 uses the same chassis as the SA101 but its 2TB repository will set you back nearly 16,000.

The FalconStor FDS SA101 appliance has versatile policy-based deduplication and superior remote site replication features. However, if cost is a high priority and you're prepared to accept slower performance for data reduction and backup operations then Quantum's DXi4500 family of appliances are better value.

Verdict

FalconStor’s FDS SA101 performed exceptionally well in our lab tests showing it was capable of providing higher backup speeds and better deduplication ratios than much of the competition at this level of the market. Remote site replication is also good as it supports up to 150 sources as standard but the repository is very small considering the high price and it can’t be upgraded.

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

Chassis: 2U rack

CPU: 2 x 2.26GHz Intel Xeon E5520

Memory: 16GB 1,066MHz DDR3 RAM

Storage: 4 x 1TB WD Enterprise SATA hard disks in hot-swap carriers

RAID: Dell PERC 6/i with 256MB cache and BBU

Network: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet

Expansion: 4 x PCI Express slots

Power: 2 x 570W hot-plug power supplies

Management: Web browser and FalconStor FDS Console

Software: Symantec OST plug-in included

Dave Mitchell
Dave Mitchell

Dave is an IT consultant and freelance journalist specialising in hands-on reviews of computer networking products covering all market sectors from small businesses to enterprises. Founder of Binary Testing Ltd – the UK’s premier independent network testing laboratory - Dave has over 45 years of experience in the IT industry.

Dave has produced many thousands of in-depth business networking product reviews from his lab which have been reproduced globally. Writing for ITPro and its sister title, PC Pro, he covers all areas of business IT infrastructure, including servers, storage, network security, data protection, cloud, infrastructure and services.

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