Backup Drive High Degree of Fragmentation

[RogueTrader]

Hi,

I have been using Auslogics Disk Defragmenter, and have noticed that the external disk on which I keep images tends to get highly fragmented...50% or more. And it does it in a hurry...maybe over a two week span.

I am wondering if I am taking the wrong approach on the topic of fragmentation of image files, or whether this is an expected condition. Thanks for any guidance.

Good Holidays to all...

[DrTeeth]

On Thu, 24 Dec 2015 11:40:38 PST, just as I was about to take a herb,
RogueTrader disturbed my reverie and wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I have been using Auslogics Disk Defragmenter, and have noticed that the external disk on which I keep images tends to get highly fragmented...50% or more. And it does it in a hurry...maybe over a two week span.
>
>I am wondering if I am taking the wrong approach on the topic of fragmentation of image files, or whether this is an expected condition. Thanks for any guidance.
>
>Good Holidays to all...

I do not worry about fragmentation of image files. The disks do get
fragmented quickly, but so what? I am only concerned with my system
drive where significant fragmentation can affect day-to-day
performance.

IIRC, the defragger that you are using is a free one that is not
better than the one that comes with Windows.
--
Cheers,

DrT

"If you want to find out what is wrong
with democracy, spend five minutes with
the average voter." - Winston Churchill

[RogueTrader]

Thanks. My only concern about fragmented image files would be if that causes significantly longer program processing time to create an image. Anyone have any experience with that?

[TeraByte Support]

what exactly are you seeing? what file system type? how saved to it? is
the drive full and deleting old and creating new?


"RogueTrader" wrote in message news:10765@public.image...

Thanks. My only concern about fragmented image files would be if that
causes significantly longer program processing time to create an image.
Anyone have any experience with that?

[RogueTrader]

I am using the script which allows rotating backups and differentials. I have it set to do four (the default) full images, six differentials, then the oldest gets deleted. I am using a 2TB drive, which is about half full (other static images from household PCs are on it over and above my main PC which I back up nightly). Images take 2-3 hours to complete depending on full vs. differential.

The file system is NTFS. I am using an external drive connected via eSATA. The drive itself is a regular desktop WD Black housed in a Thermaltake external enclosure. Full images are about 117GB; differntials range up to 19GB.

When I run the defragmenter after a few weeks, the fragmentation level usually runs 40-50% whereas the C drive is typically under 10% fragmented.

Let me know if I left out any needed data.

[TeraByte Support]

it be normal since the files will tend to grow over time so when the older
are deleted, the new takes more space, and repeat.

"RogueTrader" wrote in message news:10785@public.image...

I am using the script which allows rotating backups and differentials. I
have it set to do four (the default) full images, six differentials, then
the oldest gets deleted. I am using a 2TB drive, which is about half full
(other static images from household PCs are on it over and above my main PC
which I back up nightly). Images take 2-3 hours to complete depending on
full vs. differential.

The file system is NTFS. I am using an external drive connected via eSATA.
The drive itself is a regular desktop WD Black housed in a Thermaltake
external enclosure. Full images are about 117GB; differntials range up to
19GB.

When I run the defragmenter after a few weeks, the fragmentation level
usually runs 40-50% whereas the C drive is typically under 10% fragmented.

Let me know if I left out any needed data.

[RogueTrader]

Thanks. Are you saying that a high degree of fragmentation is normal? If so, does it prolong imaging time?

[George]

On 12/30/2015 10:08 AM, RogueTrader wrote:

I am using the script which allows rotating backups and differentials.
I have it set to do four (the default) full images, six differentials,
then the oldest gets deleted. I am using a 2TB drive, which is about half
full (other static images from household PCs are on it over and above my
main
PC which I back up nightly). Images take 2-3 hours to complete
depending on
full vs. differential.

The file system is NTFS. I am using an external drive connected via
eSATA.
The drive itself is a regular desktop WD Black housed in a Thermaltake
external enclosure. Full images are about 117GB; differentials range up
to 19GB.

When I run the defragmenter after a few weeks, the fragmentation level
usually runs 40-50% whereas the C drive is typically under 10% fragmented.

Let me know if I left out any needed data.

---

I assume that when you delete a full image that you also delete the
associated differentials at the same time. The differentials have no
value when the referenced full image is gone.

George
---
There are 10 kinds of people in the world.
Those who understand binary and
Those who don't.

[TeraByte Support]

it depends how how large the blocks are and how many, if very small blocks
or a very large number of fragments then yes it can. Percentages don't mean
much because it depends on how they calculate fragmentation percentage.


"RogueTrader" wrote in message news:10788@public.image...

Thanks. Are you saying that a high degree of fragmentation is normal? If
so, does it prolong imaging time?