NetBackup media server tightly integrates with the OST software on the Data Domain system using the optimized protocol for performing backup, restore, and replication of data from NetBackup. This provides new levels of management simplicity and flexibility using Data Domain deduplication storage systems and Symantec NetBackup 6.5 software. Data Domain OST software simplifies the management of disk pools and allows easy sharing and simultaneous use of those disk pools among multiple media servers. This facilitates media server load balancing and the use of the “best” media servers for completing a particular backup.