Dynamic Storage Utilization (DSU) is a method for conserving space on storage devices by caching files until needed. DSU saves space by stubbing files and rehydrating them as needed. DSU is optional; if you don't need to conserve space on the storage device managed by the Agent, then you do not need to select this option.
If you enable Dynamic Storage Utilization (DSU) for a participant, you must designate the participant as either a master or edge participant.
•Master participant - A master participant always has complete set of files for that job. None of the files are stubbed; they are stored physically on that device.
•Edge participant - A subset of the files stored on a master participant are physically stored on an edge participant; the rest of the files on an edge participant are stub files that take up minimal space. DSU allows users to seamlessly retrieve stubbed files directly from a master participant as needed; when retrieved, the local stub file is rehydrated so that the full file is stored locally on the edge participant.
A job can have master and edge participants, as well as participants that don't have either role. If you do not choose to enable DSU for a participant, it will always have a full set of files like a master participant but will not be used to serve file content to any edge participants.
Notes:
•A participant can be a master participant for some jobs and an edge participant for other jobs.
•A job needs at least one master participant that isn't a seeding target. If there is only one master participant for the job, it should not be a seeding target.
For more information about DSU, see Dynamic Storage Utilization in Advanced Topics.
1.Select the Enable Dynamic Storage Utilization checkbox if you want this participant to be able to use Dynamic Storage Utilization; otherwise, click Finish.
If you enable DSU, the DSU role options are displayed; the Master role is selected by default.
2.Choose a DSU role for the participant:
•Choose Master if the storage device managed by the Agent will contain complete copies of all files for this job. Any type of storage platform can be a master participant.
•Choose Edge if you want to conserve space on the storage device managed by the Agent. Only Windows File Servers can be an edge participant.
3.Click Next.
•If you selected Master, continue with the Master Data Service page.
•If you selected Edge, continue with the Volume Policy page.