So I've just started doing some research on the following issue:
We have a file server that also holds some imaging for a document management system. That server is running:
Windows Server 2008 R2 x64
SQL 2008R2 x86 for said document management system.
My biggest problem is we're running low on disk space for the SAN and the biggest reason for that is duplication of data on the file server. Yes storage is relatively cheap and I could throw more storage at the issue. What I'd rather do is this:
1. Enable DFS on the current 2008 R2 file server
2. Spin up a spare physical server that has plenty of DAS to hold the current data as a 2012 R2 server. Use DFS to migrate all the data to the new 2012 server.
Here's my question:
If I migrate all of this data will, if properly configured, 2012 dedup that data and not leave it on the old server?
Am I missing anything? Can I really add that 2012 server to a 2008 DFS space?