Data Domain: System Memory Requirements and Expanded Storage Configurations

Summary: This document serves as a guide for expected Data Domain (DD) model configurations relating to Capacity and Memory options. Failure to comply with prescribed configurations may result in the file system being disabled or hardware upgrades failing. ...

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Symptoms

This article details Storage configurations and memory requirements for the current range of Data Domain models.

If the wrong configuration is used or there is not enough memory to support the configuration, the following symptoms can occur:
  • Unable to expand storage or add an expansion shelf
  • File system does not start
  • Usable storage is less than expected
  • System misconfigured alerts

Cause

The following examples are potential causes for a misconfigured DD system:
  • More storage was added to a Data Domain system without upgrading the memory (shelf memory kit was not included).
  • A chassis swap procedure has occurred, and the memory was not moved over to the new chassis.
  • A Dual In-line memory module (DIMM) has failed or not been installed incorrectly (such as not seated or misplaced)
  • File system does not start with Alert "Memory size (xKB) goes below the configured size (nKB)."
  • Data Domain systems boot into the kernel logger.
  • Required licenses have not been added or updated

Resolution

Useful DD CLI commands to check the installed hardware or configuration of the DD unit:  
#system show meminfo 
#system show ports
#system show hardware
#enclosure show memory
#enclosure show misconfiguration (
#filesys show space
#enclosure show topology
#storage show all
#elicense show all // license show (depending on licencing type used)

Compare the outputs gathered from Data Domain System with the expected configuration documented below:

DATA DOMAIN SYSTEM

Memory Requirements - RAW Storage Capacity - Max or Min Expansion Shelf Count

DD160
End of Service Life (EOSL): 30-June-2020)

6 GB for up to 6 TB storage 

DD620
EOSL: 31-December-2019

8 GB for up to 12 TB storage
DD990
EOSL: 31-December-2020
128GB of memory installed (Base Config):
  2x 8GB DIMMs in each of 8x Memory Risers (Total = 16x 8GB DIMMs = 128GB)
  Minimum Shelves = 4 
  Up to 12x 30 TB shelves or 8x 45 TB shelves 
  Max 360 TB RAW or 285 TB Usable storage
  3x SAS Cards
 
256GB of memory installed (Expanded Config): 
  4x 8GB DIMMs in each of 8x Memory Risers (Total = 32x 8GB DIMMs =258GB)
  Up to 24x 30 TB shelves or 16x 45 TB shelves 
  Max 720 TB Raw or 570 TB Usable storage
  3x SAS Cards
 
DD990 controller with DD Extended Retention (256GB)
  Up to 56 ES20/ES30 shelves (1 TB, 2 TB, or 3 TB disks)
  Max 1440 TB Raw or 1.1 PB Usable storage (Active or Archive Tier RAW Max = 720 TB Each)
  4x SAS Cards

DD990 controller with DD Cloud Tier (256GB)
  4x ES30 - 45 TB Shelves (no DS60 support) for Metadata = Total 180 TB 
  Max 1440 TB Cloud capacity 
  4x SAS Cards
DD2200-4TB

8GB (2x 4GB) of memory installed (Entry):
  No external storage is allowed.
  7x 2 TB HDDs
  4 TB Usable
DD2200-14/24TB

16GB (4x 4GB) of memory is installed.
  No external storage is allowed.
  7+5 or 12 - disk 2 TB HDDs
  7+5 = 13.2 TB Usable // 12-disk = 17.2 TB Usable
DD2500

32GB (4x 8GB) of memory installed (Base configuration)
  Max 1x 30 TB SAS Shelf
  3 TB SAS HDDs = 21 TB or 36 TB Raw capacity (Internal)
  7 or 7+5 or 12 - disk variants
  7 = 11.2 TB // 7+5 = 20 TB // 12-disk = 26 TB Usable capacity
  
64GB (8x 8GB) of memory installed (Expanded):
  Max. 4x 30 TB OR 3x 45 TB SAS Shelf = Max 135 TB Raw Capacity
DD4200

128GB (16x 8GB) of memory installed (Base Config): 
  Minimum Shelves = 1
  Up to 8x 30 TB shelves OR 5x 45 TB shelves 
  Max 240 TB Raw capacity OR 189 TB Usable capacity
  2x SAS I/O Modules

DD4200 with DD Extended Retention (128GB)
  Minimum 1x shelf in Active Tier + 1x Shelf in Retention Tier
  Up to 16x 30 TB shelves OR 10x 45 TB shelves,
  Max. 480 Raw Capacity OR 378 TB Usable storage (Active or Archive Tier RAW Max = 240 TB Each)
  4x SAS I/O Modules

DD4200 with DD Cloud Tier (128GB)
  Minimum Shelves = 1 in Active Tier + 2x Cloud Tier metadata shelves
  Up to 8x 30 TB shelves OR 5x 45 TB shelves for Active Tier
  2x 45 TB Shelves or Packs for Cloud Tier metadata (ES30 or DS60)
  Max 240 TB Raw capacity OR 189 TB Usable capacity on Active Tier
  Max 378 TB Cloud Tier
  3x SAS I/O Modules

DD4500
 

192 GB (8x 16GB + 8x 8GB) of memory installed (Base Config):  
Minimum Shelves = 2
  Up to 12x 30 TB shelves OR 8x 45 TB shelves 
  Max 360 TB Raw capacity OR 285 TB Usable capacity
  2x SAS I/O Modules

DD4500 with DD Extended Retention (192GB)
  Minimum 2x shelf in Active Tier + 1x Shelf in Retention Tier
  Up to 24x 30 TB shelves OR 16x 45 TB shelves,
  Max. 720 TB Raw Capacity OR 570 TB Usable storage (Active or Archive Tier RAW Max = 360 TB Each)
  4x SAS I/O Modules

DD4500 with DD Cloud Tier (192GB)
  Minimum Shelves = 2 in Active Tier + 2x Cloud Tier metadata shelves
  Up to 12x 30 TB shelves OR 8x 45 TB shelves for Active Tier
  2x 60 TB Shelves or Packs for Cloud Tier metadata (ES30 or DS60)
  Max 360 TB Raw capacity OR 285 TB Usable capacity on Active Tier
  Max 570 TB Cloud Tier
  3x SAS I/O Modules
DD7200

128GB (8x 16GB) of memory installed (Base Config): 
  DIMMs populate slots: 0, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, and 15 (the remainder is empty)
  Minimum Shelves = 3
  Up to 12x 30 TB shelves OR 8x 45 TB shelves 
  Max 360 TB Raw capacity OR 285 TB Usable capacity
  2x SAS I/O Modules

256GB (16x 16GB) of memory installed (Expanded)
  All DIMM Slots are populated with 16GB DIMMs.
  Minimum Shelves = 3
  Up to 18x 30 TB shelves OR 12x 45 TB shelves 
  Max 540 TB Raw capacity OR 428 TB Usable capacity
  2x SAS I/O Modules

DD7200 with DD Extended Retention (256GB)
  Minimum 3x shelf in Active Tier + 1x Shelf in Retention Tier
  Up to 36x 30 TB shelves OR 24x 45 TB shelves,
  Max. 1080 TB Raw Capacity OR 856 TB Usable storage (Active or Archive RAW Tier Max = 540 TB Each)
  4x SAS I/O Modules

DD7200 with DD Cloud Tier (256GB)
  Minimum Shelves = 3 in Active Tier + 4x Cloud Tier metadata shelves
  Up to 18x 30 TB shelves OR 12x 45 TB shelves for Active Tier
  4x 60 TB Shelves or Packs for Cloud Tier metadata (ES30 or DS60)
  Max 540 TB Raw capacity OR 428 TB Usable capacity on Active Tier
  Max 856 TB Cloud Tier
  4x SAS I/O Modules
DD6300

48GB (6x 8GB) of memory installed (Base configuration):
  DIMMs populate slots: 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 13 
  Minimum Shelves = 0 (All-in-One; 7, 7+5 or 12 - disk - 4 TB SAS HDDs)
  7-disk = 14 TB usable // 7+5 = 22 TB // 12 - disk = 28 TB usable
  Max Shelf count = 1 -> 1x 30 TB shelf OR 1x 45 TB shelf OR 1x 60 TB shelf 
  Max 60 TB Raw EXTERNAL capacity OR 48 TB Usable EXTERNAL capacity
  Max 76 TB (28 TB internal + 48 TB external)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) =  1x 800GB SSD in 2.5" bay (a.k.a Cache Tier)

96GB (12x 8GB) of memory installed (Expanded Config)
  DIMMs populate slots: 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 15 
  Max = 180 TB RAW OR 144 TB Usable External Capacity
  Max Shelf count = 5
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 2x 800GB SSD in 2.5" bay (a.k.a Cache Tier)
  Partial Shelf Licensing is available for this model - use ES30 with 4 TB drives (43.6 TiB) at 50% utilization (21.8 TiB) in the active tier if the available licensed capacity is exactly 21.8 TiB.
  No Archive or Cloud Tier options for this model 
DD6800
192GB (8x 16GB + 8x8GB) of memory installed (Base Config)
  16GB DIMMs in slots: 0, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, and 15 (the remainder is populated by 8GB DIMMs)
  Minimum shelves = 2
  Up to 6x 30 TB shelves OR 4x 45 TB shelves OR 3x 60 TB shelves
  Maximum Active Tier Capacity = 180 TB RAW or 144 Usable External capacity  
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 2x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (Cache Tier on FS15 shelf)

192GB (8x 16GB + 8x8GB) of memory installed (Expanded Config)
  Up to 12x 30 TB shelves OR 8x 45 TB shelves OR 6x 60 TB shelves
  Max Capacity Active OR Archive Tier = 360 RAW or 288 TB (576 TB Total) Usable External capacity
  Max Capacity Cloud Tier = 576 TB 
  Max Connectivity = 28x Shelves for Extended Retention (not exceeding Usable capacity limits)
  DD Cloud Tier requires two ES30 shelves fully populated with 4 TB drives to store DD Cloud Tier metadata.
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 4x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (Cache Tier on FS15 shelf)
DD9300
192GB (4x 32GB + 4x 16GB) of memory installed (Base Config)
  32GB DIMMs populate slots: 5, 7, 8, and 10
  16GB DIMMs populate slots: 0, 2, 13, and 15
  Minimum shelves = 3
  2x SAS I/O Modules (Slots 2 and 7)
  Up to10x 45 TB shelves OR 8x 60 TB shelves
  Max Active Tier Capacity = 480 RAW or 384 TB Usable External capacity
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 5x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (Cache Tier on FS15 shelf)

384GB (8 x32 GB + 8 x 16GB) of memory installed (Expanded Config)
  32GB DIMMs populate slots: 0, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, and 15
  16GB DIMMs populate slots: 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, and 14
  2x SAS I/O Modules (Slots 2 and 7)
  Max Shelves = 28 (without exceeding capacity limits)
  Max Active / Archive Tier Capacity = 900 TB RAW or 720 TB Usable External capacity
  Max Capacity Cloud Tier = 1440 TB Usable (4x 60 TB Metadata shelves or packs required)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 8x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (Cache Tier on FS15 shelf)
DD9500 256GB (32 x 8GB) of memory installed (Base Config):
  See attached DD9500/DD9800 DIMM Guide for DIMM locations (p.4/5)
  Minimum shelves = Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a minimum of 4x Shelves or Packs
  Maximum 540 TB RAW storage OR 432 TB Usable
  3x SAS I/O Modules (Slots 2, 3, and 6)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 8x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (a.k.a Cache Tier on FS15 shelf)

512GB (32x 8GB + 16x 16GB) of memory installed (Expanded Config)
  See attached DIMM/Memory Guide for DIMM locations (p.4/5)
  Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a maximum of 1080 TB (RAW) / 864 TB Usable
  3x SAS I/O-Modules (Slots 2, 3, and 6)
  Max Shelves = 30
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF/FS15) = 15x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (a.k.a Cache Tier)

DD9500 with DD Extended Retention (512GB)
  Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a maximum of 2160 TB (RAW) / 1728 TB Usable
  4x SAS I/O-Modules (Slots 2, 3, 6, and 9)
  Max Active / Archive Tier Capacity = 1080 TB RAW or 864 TB Usable External capacity
  Max connectivity with ER = 56 ES30/Mix OR 12x DS60
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF/FS15) = 15x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (a.k.a Cache Tier)

DD9500 with DD Cloud Tier (512GB)
  Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a maximum of 1080 TB (RAW) / 864 TB Usable on Active Tier
  Max Capacity Cloud Tier = 1728 TB Usable (2x Active Tier)
  5x 60 TB (300 TB) Metadata shelves or packs required (ES30 or DS60)
  4x SAS I/O-Modules (Slots 2, 3, 6, and 9)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF/FS15) = 15x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (a.k.a Cache Tier)
DD9800
256GB (32 x 8GB) of memory installed (Base Config):
  See attached DD9500/DD9800 DIMM Guide for DIMM locations.
  Minimum shelves = Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a minimum of 450 TB Raw capacity
  Maximum storage = 630 TB Raw storage OR 504 TB Usable
  3x SAS I/O Modules (Slots 2, 3, and 6)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 8x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (Cache Tier)

768GB (32x 8GB + 32x 32GB) of memory installed (Expanded):
  See attached DD9500/DD9800 DIMM Guide for DIMM locations.
  Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a maximum of 1260 TB Raw / 1008 TB Usable
  3x SAS I/O Modules (Slots 2, 3, and 6)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF) = 15x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (Cache Tier) 
       
DD9800 with DD Extended Retention (768GB)  
  Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a maximum of 2520 TB (RAW) / 2016 TB Usable
  Max Active OR Archive Tier Capacity = 1260 TB RAW or 1008 TB Usable External capacity
  Max connectivity = 56 ES30/Mix OR 14x DS60 + 1x FS15 for Cache
  4x SAS I/O Modules (Slots 2, 3, 6, and 9)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF/FS15) = 15x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (a.k.a Cache Tier)

DD9800 with DD Cloud Tier (768GB)
  Any combination of ES30/DS60 to a maximum of 1260 TB (RAW) / 1008 TB Usable
  Max Appliance Capacity = 1008 TB on site + 2x in the Cloud (Total = 3024 TB Usable)
  Max Capacity Cloud Tier = 2016 TB Usable
  5x 60 TB (300 TB) Metadata shelves or packs required (ES30 or DS60)
  4x SAS I/O-Modules (Slots 2, 3, 6, and 9)
  Metadata on Flash (MDoF/FS15) = 15x 3.5" 800GB SSDs (a.k.a Cache Tier)
PowerProtect DD3300
There are 3x variants of DD3300:
- 4 TB, 16 TB & 32 TB of Usable capacity
 - 4 TB can be expanded to 16 TB.
- 16 TB can be expanded to 32 TB.
- A system that is initially 4 TB cannot be expanded to 32 TB.
- No External storage can be added.
- Max SSD Cache Tier is 1% of the Active Tier capacity (on 16 TB & 32 TB models) 

DD3300-4TB:
  - 16GB (2x 8GB DIMMs) of installed memory
  - Memory Installed in Slots:  A1 and A2
  - 4x 4 TB HDDs in Front slots
  - 4 TB Usable Active Tier capacity
  - 8 TB Usable Cloud Tier capacity
  - 1 TB for DD Cloud Tier metadata
  - No SSD in Rear slot

DD3300-16TB:
  - 48GB (6x 8GB DIMMs) of installed memory
  - Memory Installed in Slots: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6
  - 10x 4 TB HDDs in Front slots
  - 16 TB Usable Active Tier capacity
  - 32 TB Usable Cloud Tier capacity
  - 2x 1 TB for DD Cloud Tier metadata
  - 1x 480GB SSD (Rear slot) for NVRAM and SSD Cache Tier (160GB)

DD3300-32TB:
  - 64GB (8x 8GB DIMMs) of installed memory
  - Memory Installed in Slots: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8
  - 12x 4 TB HDDs in Front slots + 4x 4 TB HDDs in Middle slots (Under the lid)
  - 32 TB Usable Active Tier capacity
  - 64 TB Usable Cloud Tier capacity
  - 4x 1 TB for DD Cloud Tier metadata
  - 1x 480GB SSD (Rear slot) for NVRAM and SSD Cache Tier (320GB)  
PowerProtect DD6900 DD6900:
- 288GB RAM (12 x 8GB + 12 x 16GB DIMMS)
- SAS Shelves ONLY (SATA shelves are NOT supported)
- Supported disks/shelves: *3 TB (ES30) | 4 TB (ES30/ES40/DS60) 
- * 3 TB only supported on Controller (headswap) upgrades - not fresh install (or # filesys create)
- Ships with 4 TB ES40|DS60
- Minimum 1x 60 TB Shelf required
- Partial Shelf Licensing is available for this model - use ES40 with 4 TB drives (43.6 TiB) at 50% utilization (21.8 TiB) in the active tier if the available licensed capacity is exactly 21.8 TiB.
- Active Tier: Any combination of supported shelves to a MAXIMUM capacity of 360 TB Raw || 288 TB Usable
- Max capacity = 288 TB (Active Tier) + 2x Cloud Tier (578TBu) = 866TBu
- Cache Tier = 2 drives (2x 1.92 TB SSD internal |or| 2x 3.84 TB SSD external - in FS25, if HA)
- Cloud Tier = 2x 60 TB shelves for Cloud Tier Metadata
PowerProtect DD9400 DD9400:
- 576GB RAM (12 x 32GB + 12 x 16GB)
- SAS Shelves ONLY (SATA shelves are NOT supported)
- Supported disks/shelves: *3 TB (ES30) | *4 TB (ES30/ES40/DS60) | 8 TB (ES40/DS60)
- *3|4 TB only supported on Controller (headswap) upgrades - not fresh install (or # filesys create) 
- Ships with 8 TB ES40|DS60​​
- Minimum 4x 60 TB Shelf required (240 TB Raw)
- Active Tier: Any combination of supported shelves to a MAXIMUM capacity of 960 TB Raw || 768 TB Usable
- Max Capacity = 768 TB (Active Tier) + 2x Cloud Tier (1536TBu) = 2304TBu
- Cache Tier = 5 drives (5x 1.92 TB SSD internal |or| 5x 3.84 TB SSD external - in FS25, if HA)
- Cloud Tier = 4x 60 TB shelves for Cloud Tier Metadata
- Over-Provisioning = 2x 60 TB Shelves
PowerProtect DD9900 DD9900:
- 1152GB RAM (24 x 32GB + 24 x 16GB)
- SAS Shelves ONLY (SATA shelves are NOT supported)
- Supported disks/shelves: *3 TB (ES30) | *4 TB (ES30/ES40/DS60) | 8 TB (ES40/DS60) 
- *3|4 TB only supported on Controller (headswap) upgrades - not fresh install (or # filesys create) 
- Ships with 8 TB ES40|DS60
- Minimum 6x shelves AND more than 720 TB Raw Capacity 
- Active Tier: Any combination of supported shelves to a MAXIMUM capacity of 1920 TB Raw || 1248 TB Usable
- Max Capacity = 1248TBu (Active Tier) + 2x Cloud Tier (2496TBu) = 3744TBu
- Cache Tier = 10x 3.84 TB SSD external in FS25 shelf (on its OWN SAS Chain)
- Cloud Tier = 5x 60 TB shelves for Cloud Tier Metadata
- Over-Provisioning = 2x 60 TB Shelves

Additional Information

References:

Note:

  • ALL capacity figures are quoted in Base10 for simplicity, for example 1000MB = 1GB = 0.001 TB
  • Base2 (MiB, GiB, or TiB) figures can generally be found in the capacity sections of the related system hardware guides, for example, 4 TB disk = 3.63 TiB

Affected Products

DD6400 Appliance, DD6410 Appliance, DD6800 Appliance, DD9300 Appliance, DD9400 Appliance, DD9800 Appliance, DD9900 Appliance, DD9910 Appliance
Article Properties
Article Number: 000082030
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2025
Version:  8
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