Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Deployment Guide

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Diagnostic steps for replication setup

The tables in the following section show menu navigation for virtual replication using the PowerVault Manager:

NOTE:SAS controller enclosures do not support replication.

Table 1. Diagnostics for replication setup: Using the replication feature
Answer	Possible reasons	Action
Yes	System functioning properly	No action required.
No	Compatible firmware revision supporting the replication feature is not running on each system that is used for replication.	Perform the following actions on each system used for virtual replication: On the System topic, select Action > Update Firmware. The Update Firmware panel opens. The Update Controller Modules tab shows firmware versions that are installed in each controller. If necessary, update the controller module firmware to ensure compatibility with the other systems. See the topic about updating firmware in the Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide for more information about compatible firmware.
No	Invalid cabling connection. (If multiple enclosures are used, check the cabling for each system.)	Verify controller enclosure cabling: Verify use of proper cables. Verify proper cabling paths for host connections. Verify cabling paths between replication ports and switches are visible to one another. Verify that cable connections are securely fastened. Inspect cables for damage and replace if necessary.
No	A system does not have a pool that is configured.	Configure each system to have a storage pool.

After valid cabling, and network availability, create a replication set by selecting Action > Create Replication Set from the Replications topic.

Table 2. Diagnostics for replication setup – Creating a replication set
Answer	Possible reasons	Action
Yes	System functioning properly.	No action required.
No	On controller enclosures equipped with iSCSI host interface ports, replication set creation fails due to use of CHAP.	If using , see the topics about configuring CHAP and working in replications within the Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide.
No	Unable to create the secondary volume (the destination volume on the pool to which you replicate data from the primary volume).	Review event logs for indicators of a specific fault in a replication data path component. Follow any Recommended Actions. Verify valid specification of the secondary volume according to either of the following criteria: A conflicting volume does not exist. Available free space in the pool.
No	Communication link is down.	Review event logs for indicators of a specific fault in a host or replication data path component.

Table 3. Diagnostics for replication setup – Replicating a volume
Answer	Possible reasons	Action
Yes	System functioning properly.	No action required.
No	Nonexistent .	Determine existence of primary or secondary volumes. If a replication set has not been successfully created, Action > Create Replication Set on the Replications topic to create a replication. Review event logs (in the footer, click the events panel and select Show Event List) for indicators of a specific fault in a replication data path component. Follow any Recommended Actions.
No	Network error occurred during in-progress replication.	Review event logs for indicators of a specific fault in a replication data path component. Follow any Recommended Actions. Click in the Volumes topic, and then click a volume name in the volumes list. Click the Replication Sets tab to display replications and associated metadata. Replications that enter the suspended state can be resumed manually (see the Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide for additional information).
No	Communication link is down.	Review event logs for indicators of a specific fault in a host or replication data path component.

Table 4. Diagnostics for replication setup: Checking for a successful replication
Answer	Possible reasons	Action
Yes	System functioning properly	No action required.
No	Last Successful Run shows N/A	In the Volumes topic, click the volume that is a member of the replication set. Select the Replication Sets table. Check the Last Successful Run information. If the replication has not run successfully, use the PowerVault Manager to replicate as described in the topic about working in replications in the Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide.
No	Communication link is down	Review event logs for indicators of a specific fault in a host or replication data path component.