Once a partner relationship is established, replication is bidirectional. One system could hold target NAS volumes for the other system as well as source NAS volumes to replicate to that other system.

A replication policy can be set up to run according to a set schedule or on demand. Replication management flows through a secure SSH tunnel from system to system over the client network.

To access or recover data, you can promote a target NAS volume to a recovery NAS volume and grant clients access to the recovery NAS volume data. The recovery NAS volume will appear as a local NAS volume.

Target NAS Volumes

A target NAS volume is a readonly copy of the source NAS volume that resides on the target FluidFS cluster. The target NAS volume holds identical system configuration information (quota rules, snapshot policy, security style, and so on) as the source NAS volume. You can promote target NAS volumes to recovery NAS volumes temporarily or permanently and grant clients access to recovery NAS volume data.

The following considerations apply to target NAS volumes:

Unlike source NAS volumes, you cannot create snapshots of target NAS volumes.

There must be sufficient free space on the target FluidFS cluster to store the target NAS volumes.

The system retains only the current replica of the source NAS volumes. To roll back to a previous point in time, you must use snapshots.

You can either replicate the source NAS volume to an existing NAS volume or to a new target NAS volume. If you replicate to an existing NAS volume, the NAS volume must not contain any data you want to retain. Any data residing on the NAS volume will be overwritten and cannot be recovered.

Target NAS volumes count towards the total number of NAS volumes in the FluidFS cluster.

Managing Replication Partnerships

When replicating a NAS volume to another FluidFS cluster, the other FluidFS cluster must be set up as a replication partner. This is a bidirectional replication trust—source NAS volumes and target NAS volumes can be located on either system.

Adding a Replication Partnership

Add a replication partner before configuring replication.

136

Page 136
Image 136
Dell NX3610, NX3500, NX3600 manual Target NAS Volumes, Managing Replication Partnerships, Adding a Replication Partnership

NX3500, NX3600, NX3610 specifications

The Dell NX series, including the NX3610, NX3600, and NX3500, represents a robust and efficient solution for organizations seeking to optimize their storage solutions. These storage appliances are designed to meet the growing needs of data-driven businesses, providing a comprehensive platform that integrates software and hardware for optimal performance.

The Dell NX3610 is a high-performance storage solution that boasts an advanced dual-controller architecture. This model supports enhanced scalability and redundancy, ensuring that organizations can handle increasing data loads effortlessly. It is built for faster data access with a range of connectivity options, including 10GbE and iSCSI, enabling seamless integration into diverse IT environments. The NX3610 supports advanced file sharing capabilities, making it ideal for businesses requiring efficient collaboration and data access across multiple platforms. Furthermore, with features like snapshot and replication, users can ensure data integrity and security, minimizing downtime in case of system failures.

The NX3600, while slightly smaller in capacity compared to the NX3610, still delivers formidable performance and flexibility. It is designed to cater to mid-sized businesses that need a reliable and cost-effective storage solution. The NX3600 features a single-controller architecture, making it easier to manage and deploy in smaller IT environments. It offers support for various storage protocols, including NFS and CIFS, which are essential for organizations looking to support diverse application workloads. Its easy-to-use management interface makes it simple for IT teams to monitor and configure settings, ensuring optimal performance with minimal effort.

The NX3500 serves as an entry-level model within the NX series, specifically targeted at small to medium-sized businesses. It combines affordability with essential features needed for efficient data storage and sharing. The NX3500 is equipped with a user-friendly interface and includes support for both file-based and block-based storage, offering flexibility for diverse workloads. Moreover, the appliance features integrated backup solutions, which are crucial for ensuring data safety and compliance. Users will also appreciate its robust data deduplication and compression capabilities that significantly reduce storage costs by minimizing the amount of data stored.

In summary, the Dell NX3610, NX3600, and NX3500 are engineered to cater to various business sizes and storage demands. With their sophisticated technologies, including dual-controller systems, rich protocol support, and user-friendly management features, these appliances deliver reliable, scalable, and efficient storage solutions for any organization looking to enhance its data management capabilities.