Dell recommends that you maintain a table to track which DNS entries are used to access each NAS volume. This helps when performing failover and setting up group policies.

Setting Up and Performing Disaster Recovery

This section contains a highlevel overview of setting up and performing disaster recovery. In these instructions, Cluster A is the source FluidFS cluster containing the data that must be backed up and Cluster B is the target FluidFS cluster, which backs up the data from source cluster A.

Prerequisites

Cluster B is installed, but has no NAS volumes configured.

Cluster A and Cluster B have the same NAS appliance count. For example, if Cluster A has two NAS appliances, Cluster B must have two NAS appliances.

Cluster A and Cluster B are at the same FluidFS version.

Cluster B has different network settings (client, SAN, internal, and so on) than source Cluster A, however, Cluster A and Cluster B must be able to communicate with each other so that replication operations can occur.

Cluster B has enough space to replicate all data from Cluster A.

Phase 1 — Build Replication Partnership Between Source Cluster A And Backup Cluster B

1.Log on to cluster A.

2.Set up replication partnership between source cluster A and backup cluster B.

For more information on setting up replication partners, see Adding a Replication Partnership.

3.Create a replication policy for all the source volumes in cluster A to target volumes in cluster B.

NOTE: Replication policy is a one to one match on a volume basis, for example: Source volume A1 (cluster A) to target volume B1 (cluster B)

Source volume A2 (cluster A) to target volume B2 (cluster B)

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Source volume An (cluster A) to target volume Bn (cluster B)

NOTE: FluidFS v2 supports auto generate target volume during addition of the replication policy. For FluidFS 1.0, you must create the target volumes in cluster B and make sure that the volume size is big enough to accommodate the corresponding source volume data in cluster A.

4.Start the replication scheduler to ensure that at least one successful replication has occurred for all the source volumes in cluster A.

If the replication fails, fix the problems encountered and restart the replication process. This ensures that all source volumes in cluster A have at least one successful replication copy in cluster B. Set up a regular replication schedule, so the target volumes in cluster B always have most up to date replication copy for cluster A.

CAUTION: Replication restore is not a complete BMR restore, settings such as network configuration (client, SAN, and IC) cannot be backed up and restored using the replication method. Note all cluster A settings (for use when restoring cluster A) including network configuration, cluster wide settings such as volume name, alert settings, and so on for future use. If the system restore operation fails to restore these settings, you can manually restore the cluster A settings back to their original values.

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Dell NX3500, NX3610, NX3600 manual Setting Up and Performing Disaster Recovery

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.