Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Deployment Guide

Replication creates an internal snapshot of the primary volume, and copies the changes to the data since the last replication to the secondary system using FC or iSCSI links.

The two associated standard volumes form a replication set, and only the primary volume (source of data) can be mapped for access by a server. Both systems must be connected through switches to the same fabric or network (no direct attach). The server accessing the replication set is connected to the primary system. If the primary system goes offline, a connected server can access the replicated data from the secondary system.

Systems can be cabled to support replication using CNC-based and 10Gbase-T systems on the same network, or on different networks.

As you consider the physical connections of your system, keep several important points in mind:

• Ensure that controllers have connectivity between systems, whether the destination system is colocated or remotely located.
• Qualified Converged Network Controller options can be used for host I/O or replication, or both.
• The storage system does not provide for specific assignment of ports for replication. However, this configuration can be accomplished using virtual LANs for iSCSI and zones for FC, or by using physically separate infrastructure.
• For remote replication, ensure that all ports that are assigned for replication can communicate with the replication system by using the query peer-connection CLI command. See the ME4 Series Storage System CLI Reference Guide for more information.
• Allow enough ports for replication permits so that the system can balance the load across those ports as I/O demands rise and fall. If controller A owns some of the volumes that are replicated and controller B owns other volumes that are replicated, then enable at least one port for replication on each controller module. You may need to enable more than one port per controller module depending on replication traffic load.
• For the sake of system security, do not unnecessarily expose the controller module network port to an external network connection.

Conceptual cabling examples are provided addressing cabling on the same network and cabling relative to different networks.