Selecting the Secondary Virtual Disk

CAUTION: Creating a replicated virtual disk pair starts a process between the primary and secondary virtual disks that overwrites all existing data on the secondary virtual disk and set the disk to read-only access. If you have existing data on your secondary virtual disk stop all I/O to the disk, back up the data, and unmount any file systems mounted to the secondary virtual disk before creating the replicated virtual disk pair.

1Select the remote storage array and the primary virtual disk.

2In the Select Secondary Virtual Disk (Create Remote Replication) wizard, select the secondary virtual disk.

NOTE: The secondary virtual disk must have a capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the primary virtual disk.

3Click Next.

The Set Write Mode (Create Remote Replication) wizard is displayed. Go to "Setting the Write Mode" on page 187.

Setting the Write Mode

The secondary host ports on the storage arrays are reserved for data synchronization between the primary virtual disk and the secondary virtual disk in a replicated virtual disk pair. You can set remote replication to write either synchronously or asynchronously.

•In the synchronous mode, the RAID controller module on the primary virtual disk sends an I/O completion message back to the host storage array after the data has been successfully copied to the secondary storage array. The synchronous mode is the preferred mode of operation, since it offers the best chance of full data recovery from the secondary storage array in the event of a disaster. However, a synchronous replication mode can degrade the I/O performance of the host when long-distance data transfer is involved.

•In the asynchronous mode, the RAID controller module on the primary storage array sends an I/O completion message to the host storage array before the data is successfully copied to the secondary storage array. The asynchronous mode offers faster host I/O performance; however, it does not guarantee that data was successfully written to the secondary virtual disk or that the write requests were completed on the secondary virtual disk in the same order they were initiated. In asynchronous mode, you can

Configuration: Premium Feature— Remote Replication

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Dell MD3620F, MD3600f owner manual Selecting the Secondary Virtual Disk, Setting the Write Mode, 187
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MD3620F, MD3600f specifications

Dell's MD3620F and MD3600F storage arrays are designed for businesses seeking dependable, high-performance storage solutions tailored to meet the demands of modern data management. These models offer a blend of scalability, efficiency, and advanced features, making them well-suited for a range of applications, from virtual environments to critical database operations.

One of the primary features of the MD3620F and MD3600F is their support for a hybrid storage architecture. This approach allows organizations to combine flash storage with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) to optimize performance and cost. The MD3620F focuses heavily on all-flash configurations, delivering exceptional speed and lower latency, ideal for I/O-intensive workloads.

Scalability is another hallmark of these storage solutions. The MD3600F allows users to scale up to 120 drives, providing robust capacity to meet growing data needs. The MD3620F is engineered for environments where data availability and speed are paramount, with support for high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) and consistent performance under stress.

In terms of data management, both systems integrate with Dell’s proprietary software, which enhances operational efficiency through features like automated tiering. This technology optimizes data placement between different storage types based on access frequency, ensuring that hot data is readily available while reducing costs associated with less critical data.

Reliability is crucial for businesses that depend on their storage systems. The MD3620F and MD3600F come equipped with advanced data protection mechanisms, such as RAID support, which safeguards against data loss, and snapshot capabilities that provide point-in-time copies of data. Moreover, these solutions include hot-swappable components, ensuring minimal downtime for maintenance and repairs.

Connectivity is also a strong suit of these storage arrays. They support multiple connectivity options, including SAS and iSCSI, allowing for flexible integration into existing IT infrastructures. This adaptability enhances their appeal to a wide range of enterprise environments.

In summary, the Dell MD3620F and MD3600F stand out as robust storage solutions with a combination of hybrid and all-flash configurations, scalability, advanced data management tools, and enhanced reliability features. These characteristics make them ideal for organizations looking to enhance their data storage capabilities while maintaining high performance and efficiency.
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