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Using the AtomAdmin utility

The deduplication feature is designed to run with minimal up-front configuration. However, because the storage bin and the embedded SQL database for duplicate identification can grow over time, you may eventually need to perform tasks to maintain or restore efficient deduplication operation. Complete the following tasks using the AtomAdmin.exe command-line utility, which is located in the \Atom subdirectory where you installed Double-Take RecoverNow.

Command

AtomAdmin

Description

Performs maintenance on deduplication setup and configuration

Syntax

ATOMADMIN [-A <hostname>]  [-UID <user>]  [-PWD <password>]  [-DOMAIN <domain>]  [-WSPORT <port>]  -V [LINKS | BIN | ALL]  [<volume_list>]  [-F | -FIX]  -R <storagebin_volume>  -P <storagebin_volume>  -T <volume_list>  -Y  -H

Options

• A hostname—Hostname or IP address of the machine running the Atom File-Level Deduplication Service. If this option is not specified, the local machine will be used.
• UID user—User account that should be used to run the AtomAdmin utility. This option is required if you are connecting to a remote machine. If this option is not specified, the current user will be used.
• PWD password—Password associated with the specified user
• DOMAIN domain—Domain associated with the specified user
• WSPORT port—Port the AtomAdmin utility will use for WCF (Web) Services requests. If this option is not specified, 6325 will be used.
• V LINKS—Validates that all links referred to by reparse points are for Atom deduplicated files and that the links are pointing to storage bin files that exist
• V BIN—Validates that storage bin folders are referred to by files somewhere on the system
• V ALL—Validates both links and storage bin folders
• volume_list—A semicolon separated list of volumes that specifies the drive(s) that will be validated. The volumes can be designated as a drive letter (e), a drive designation (e:), a drive path (e:\), or the eight-digit volume serial number. None of these designations are case-sensitive. If this option is not specified, all system drives will be validated.
• F or FIX—These options will automatically delete orphan files from the storage bin when using the bin or all validation options.
• R storagebin_volume—Relinks all deduplicated file links to the specified storage bin location. The volume can be designated as a drive letter (e). The drive letter is not case-sensitive.
• P storagebin_volume—Purges all references to files from the Atom database on the specified drive. The volume can be designated as a drive letter (e). The drive letter is not case-sensitive.
• T volume_list—Re-evaluates all files on the specified drive for deduplication. The volume list is a semicolon separated list of volumes that specifies the drive(s) that will be evaluated. The volumes can be designated as a drive letter (e), a drive designation (e:), a drive path (e:\), or the eight-digit volume serial number. None of these designations are case-sensitive. If this option is not specified, all system drives will be evaluated.
• Y—Queries for the state of the Atom File-Level Deduplication Service and any current deduplication operations
• H—Displays the AtomAdmin command syntax, option descriptions, and examples

Examples

• atomadmin -v links C
• atomadmin -a ServerGamma -uid administrator -pwd password -v all C; E; F
• atomadmin -v bin -f
• atomadmin -r E
• atomadmin -p F
• atomadmin -t C
• atomadmin -y

The following are some sample tasks where you might want to use the AtomAdmin utility.

Scanning the storage bin to remove unused content

Use the following instructions to scan the storage bin and remove unused content.

1. Validate the links and storage bin files by using the following command, substituting the volumes to be evaluated for volume_list.

   atomadmin -v all volume_list

2. If necessary, fix any validation issues so that unused files are removed by using the following command, substituting the volumes to fixed for volume_list.

   atomadmin -v all volume_list -fix

Restoring a storage bin to a new drive

Use the following instructions if the drive containing your storage bin has failed and you have restored it from backup media. These instructions can be used if you restored the storage bin to a new location or its original location.

1. Make sure that the storage bin has been restored from backup media.  
2. If you restored the storage bin to a new location, update the storage bin location in Double-Take RecoverNow to point to the new volume.

3. If you restored the storage bin to a new location, update link information to the new volume by using the following command, substituting the storage bin volume letter for storagebin_volume.

   atomadmin -r storagebin_volume

4. Re-evaluate files eligible for deduplication by using the following command, substituting the volumes to be evaluated for volume_list.

   atomadmin -t volume_list

5. Validate the links and storage bin files by using the following command, substituting the volumes to be evaluated for volume_list.

   atomadmin -v all volume_list

6. If necessary, fix any validation issues so that unused files are removed by using the following command, substituting the volumes to fixed for volume_list.

   atomadmin -v all volume_list -fix

Validating the Atom database or recovering from an inconsistent Atom database

The Atom embedded database is self-cleaning. Normal operation will add or remove database rows as files are added or removed from monitored volumes. For volumes that are no longer being monitored, use the following instructions to validate the database. You can also use these instructions if the Atom database has become inconsistent (for example, when a volume is monitored and at some future date removed but not returned to its original state).

1. Purge rows that are no longer valid by using the following command, substituting the storage bin volume letter for storagebin_volume.

   atomadmin -p storagebin_volume

2. If desired, you can re-evaluate files eligible for deduplication by using the following command, substituting the volumes to be evaluated for volume_list.

   atomadmin -t volume_list

Recovering from a corrupted Atom database

If the Atom embedded database has become corrupted, it can be re-created manually.

1. Stop the Atom File-Level Deduplication Service using the Windows Service applet.
2. Delete the files DT_SIS.sdf and SisSupportDB.sdf from the \Program Files\Vision Solutions\Double-Take\Atom\Data directory.
3. Restart the Atom File-Level Deduplication Service. Atom will now begin monitoring the same volumes as before the corruption.