NetWorker 8.1 and Data Domain backup policy

Let me start from the end - this is a good question - and something I'm actually trying to get clear answer myself at ATE session too (click here).  I have another question semi-related in respect to max nsrmmd count, but that one is still not visible as it is pending moderator approval (doh). Anyway, when using direct writes to DD that probably would not matter (let's assume that, I can't say if that is the case or not, but if each device is file within same SU than you depend on performance management of that file). NW documentation is somewhat confusing on this as different places tend to suggest different approaches, but overall I would always go for several devices - in worst cae scenario I will to make sure that if something happens to one device, others are not involved (DD and NW wise).  Further, NW docs seem to suggest best practice to be up to 10 sessions on DD device. You have 100 clients.  Assume you make groups with 10 clients, starting at 8pm first, second at 9pm, etc... even so one group would have more than 10 sessions (more likely 60 sessions at least).  Of course, you can limit that, but why limit anything when you can simply spread it.

In my own case, I do not differentiate between clients who have X amount of data or Y amount of files.  What I do is following:

- each group will have 10 clients

- each client will have full on working day (n+1 compared to previous one)

- fs backups do not run during weekend

So, it looks as this, for Group_A

name: Client_1 Schedule: Full_Monday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_2 Schedule: Full_Tuesday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_3 Schedule: Full_Wednesday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_4 Schedule: Full_Thursday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_5 Schedule: Full_Friday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_6 Schedule: Full_Monday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_7 Schedule: Full_Tuesday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_8 Schedule: Full_Wednesday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_9 Schedule: Full_Thursday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

name: Client_10 Schedule: Full_Friday_skip_weekend_rest_Incr

That way, I never have more than two clients doing full backup withing group run.  And most importantly my weekends are free so no one has to keep an eye on backups.  Well kind of - I run database archive logs then and full for clients which are backing up over WAN.  But overall, load is spread and works perfectly (in my own case). You plan to focus highest load on weekend which is something I would never do.