2.36StorEdge File Replicator

This section provides the following information:

■How does File Replicator work?

■The applications for File Replicator

■How do I set up File Replicator?

How Does File Replicator work?

Replicating allows you to duplicate any or all of the file volumes of one StorEdge server onto another StorEdge server. The source server is referred to as the active server and the target server is referred to as the mirror server.

In the event that the active server fails, the replicating file volumes on the mirror server can become available to network users within minutes. Once a mirror has been broken on the active server, the replicating file volume can be promoted, or made available for users, on the mirror server.

The replicating method used in the StorEdge is an asynchronous transaction- oriented mirror. Replicating is accomplished through the use of a large mirror buffer to queue file system transactions for transfer to the mirror system. Note that there is a performance cost associated with replicating, as writes to the master server must be done synchronously. Because the mirror is transaction-oriented, the integrity of the mirror file system is guaranteed, even during network interruptions or system outages.

What are the applications for File Replicator?

File Replicator can be used to help address the following data management challenges facing IT professionals today:

■Disaster Recovery

■Backup

■Data Distribution

Disaster Recovery

Without a reliance on slow tape media, File Replicator eliminates the need for lengthy tape restores. File Replicator enhances recovery time in case of a complete loss of data, as businesses can now access mission-critical data from an online backup on a mirror StorEdge.

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Sun Microsystems 5310 NAS manual StorEdge File Replicator, How Does File Replicator work?, Disaster Recovery
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5310 NAS specifications

Sun Microsystems, known for its innovative computing solutions, launched the Sun 5310 Network Attached Storage (NAS) system, which marked a significant advancement in the realm of storage solutions in the early 2000s. The 5310 NAS was designed to provide high-performance, reliable, and scalable storage tailored for enterprise environments.

One of the standout features of the Sun 5310 NAS is its file-serving capabilities, which support multiple protocols, notably NFS (Network File System) and CIFS (Common Internet File System). This dual-protocol support allowed organizations to seamlessly integrate the NAS into diverse IT ecosystems, facilitating interoperability between UNIX, Linux, and Windows systems. The enhanced file-sharing capabilities made it an ideal solution for businesses with mixed operating environments.

The Sun 5310 NAS incorporates cutting-edge technologies to ensure high availability and data integrity. The system utilized a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology, providing various RAID levels to protect against data loss while optimizing performance. Additionally, the device featured hot-swappable drives, enabling maintenance and upgrades with minimal downtime, a crucial factor for business continuity.

Equipped with advanced management software, the Sun 5310 NAS offered users an intuitive interface for monitoring storage health and performance. This software included comprehensive reporting functionalities that allowed IT administrators to oversee usage patterns and capacity planning efficiently.

Scalability was another defining characteristic of the Sun 5310 NAS. The system could easily expand with additional storage modules, accommodating the growing needs of an organization without the necessity for complete system overhauls. This flexibility ensured that businesses could adapt their storage solutions to meet evolving data storage needs without incurring significant costs or disruptions.

In terms of performance, the Sun 5310 NAS featured high I/O throughput achieved through its robust hardware architecture and optimized file serving capabilities. This performance baseline was crucial for organizations that relied on heavy data workloads and required rapid access to information.

In summary, the Sun 5310 NAS from Sun Microsystems embodied a forward-thinking approach to network storage, blending reliability, scalability, and multi-protocol support. Its user-friendly management software, combined with the robustness of RAID technology and hot-swappable drives, made it a preferred choice for enterprises looking to streamline their storage infrastructure while safeguarding critical data.
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