Getting Started

Contents

 

To get started follow these simple steps.

More advanced "How to" topics are included in the Help guide. Press F1 at any time and choose the "How-to guide" section.

Maintaining data about your files


SPACEWatch automatically scans and maintains a database of key data about your files and folders. You and your colleagues can then carry out even the most complex task instantly - even with the largest storage infrastructure.

Use this data from more than one SPACEWatch client and as a basis to schedule automated reporting and cleanup operations.

1. Retrieve, store and maintain a space database.
2. Choose an existing space database to use.

Get rid of files that are duplicated in many places


If you have never used SPACEWatch be prepared for the large quantity of duplication on your network. It is not unusual for this to amount to more than a third of all storage consumption!

We recommend that you start by finding the "quick wins" and dealing with these, rather than launching in to a huge search for all sets of duplicated files across your entire network.

On the Welcome page, click on the Duplicates task button.

A good place to start is the list of Largest Duplicates. This shows the top 50 set of duplicates, based on how much storage each set of duplicated files is consuming.

Produce reports, save results to use in other applications, email your findings to others, or work with the duplicated files, carrying out file actions like copy, move, delete - or archive.


Find unused files, or files not accessed for a long time



SPACEWatch has a range of ways you can quickly find unused or unwanted files across your network.

On the Welcome page, click on the Find Unused Files task button.

A good place to start is the list of largest unused files. This shows the top 50 files that have not been accessed since they were created. Choose unwanted file types to analyze how different types of files are consuming storage - then look in more detail at who created these files and where they are stored.

Because all your space data is stored in a SPACEWatch database, you can carry answer even the most complex questions very quickly. Use the advanced file finder to pose these questions and save searches so you can re-use them later. You can also use saved searches in automated reports and automated file actions like archiving unused files to secondary storage.

List directory trees consuming most storage


SPACEWatch has a range of ways you can quickly analyze storage across the directory trees and folders on your network.

On the Welcome page, click on the List Directory Trees task button.

A good place to start is the view of your largest directory trees. This shows an "explorer" view of your folders - but initially only the trees taking up most storage will be shown. If you want to view more folders adjust the slider at the top of the tool window.

Alternatively you can simply list the largest folders on your network.

Because all your space data is stored in a SPACEWatch database, you can carry answer even the most complex questions about folders very quickly. Use the advanced folder finder to pose these questions.


If you right click on a directory tree you can also start to analyze it using the Storage Treemap tool. This will show you folders that are consuming lots of storage, even if they are hidden away in the depths of a directory tree.



Find out how much money your actions can save


SPACEWatch lets you work out how much money your storage will cost to keep pace with use - or how much you can save by using SPACEWatch to clean up unwanted, unused and duplicated files.

On the Welcome page, click on the Money task button.

Choose the Scenario modeling option. You will be prompted to calculate the "do nothing" scenario. Based on a typical cost per GB for storage, you will be shown how much you will need to invest in storage over the next year - based on historic usage patterns for your network.

You can change the cost per GB at any time to match your experience - for example you might want to make sure it includes the cost of storage management, as well as infrastructure investment costs. Or you may use an industry model such as Gartner's to calculate total cost of ownership for your storage.

Now you can choose and add multiple different scenarios and compare these with doing nothing. Perhaps you only want to make changes in one area of your network - you can limit your scenario in this way using the System drop down list.

Once you have found data of use to you, click on Save CSV to share it with others or do further analysis in your favorite tool such as Microsoft Excel.