About MSDP fingerprinting algorithm changes

With NetBackup 8.1, Media Server Deduplication Pool (MSDP) introduces a more secure fingerprint algorithm. The SHA-2 algorithm replaces the existing MD5-like algorithm. NetBackup 8 .1 can handle both fingerprint types, and the new server is compatible with old clients and old servers. Conversion happens during the interaction between old clients and old servers and the new server. The fingerprint conversion requires additional computation time. The interaction between old clients and old servers and new server is slower than if both the client and the server are new.

If you have a mixed media server environment that uses both the MD5-like algorithm and the SHA-2 algorithm, the initial backup may lose deduplication ratio. Veritas recommends that you split the media servers by algorithm and create different storage units for each of them.

More information is available.

Veritas NetBackup Deduplication Guide