Data Domain: What the Dell Data Domain Boost plug-in is and what it does
Summary: The knowledge base article describes the Dell Data Domain Boost (DD Boost) plug-in functionality.
Symptoms
The DD Boost plug-in installation is ready to use and offers no additional configuration items. There are generic questions about DD Boost plug-in functionality, or technical issues suspected to be linked to this plug-in.
Cause
The DD Boost plug-in is a software library that is integrated with backup applications. It then uses TCP/IP connections as directed by backup software to move data to the target Data Domain. Developers who implement DD Boost capability can use interface groups (ifgroups), client-side deduplication, managed file-replication, and so on.
Dell products do not require separate DD Boost plug-in installation as they are natively integrated. Upgrading to a new DD Boost plug-in version is not possible without upgrading to a new Dell software version.
Most third-party software (for example, Veritas, Oracle, or other non-Dell providers) need a separate DD Boost plug-in installation. These third-party products can also need additional license keys, subject to cost. Upgrading to a new DD Boost plug-in version is possible without upgrading to a new third-party products software version.
The plug-in alone is unable to run backups or act as a backup solution. For products requiring a separate DD Boost plug-in installation, only the installation path may be modified.
Resolution
The DD Boost plug-in is a common software library which allows backup software to use DD Boost specific features. Without backup software to work with, the plug-in is an installed software package that does not offer additional configuration items or tunable options. The DD Boost plug-in alone cannot run any backups or act as a backup solution.
Dell products which support DD Boost have the plug-in as part of software, while third-party products may require a separate installation. To validate that the plug-in is working as intended, the DDPConnchk command-line utility tests a connection from the client or backup server.