A cluster-aware Data Protector Cell Manager that is responsible for running the IDB and managing backup and restore operations has many major benefits over non-cluster versions:

High availability of the Data Protector Cell Manager

All Cell Manager operations are always available since Data Protector services are defined as cluster resources within the cluster and are automatically restarted when a failover occurs.

Automatic restart of backups

Data Protector backup specifications that define the backup procedure can easily be configured to be restarted in case of a failover of the Data Protector Cell Manager. Restart parameters can be defined using the Data Protector GUI.

Load balancing at failover

A special command-line utility is provided for operations that allow backup sessions to be aborted in case applications other than Data Protector perform a failover. The Data Protector Cell Manager allows you to define what should happen in such situations. If the backup is less important than the application, Data Protector can abort running sessions. If the backup is more important or is just ending, Data Protector can continue the sessions. For more information on how to define the criteria, see the online Help index: "cluster, managing backups".

Cluster support

The Data Protector cluster support means the following:

•The Data Protector Cell Manager is installed in a cluster. Such a Cell Manager is fault tolerant and can restart operations in the cell automatically after the failover.

NOTE:

If the Cell Manager is installed in the cluster, its cluster critical resources need to be configured in the same cluster package or group as the application being backed up, in order to automatically restart failed backup sessions that failed due to a failover. Otherwise, the failed backup sessions must be restarted manually.

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Planning your backup strategy