4.1.1Real-time Mirroring

Real-time mirroring is the simplest to describe, and the most difficult and expensive to implement. The requirement and guarantee of real-time mirroring is that data is committed in a persistent manner on both the Master and Mirror prior to reflecting transaction complete to the client. If the mirroring is remote, e.g., over a WAN, the expense can be quite great because the user must ensure that the link between the systems is very fast and of exceptional quality, or risk serious reductions in the quality of service locally due to the latencies associated with remote communication. Real-time mirroring systems typically provide for extensive parameter control to enable the user to define policies that manage the mirror link. For instance, the user may want to automatically break the link if serious local QOS issues arise due to telecommunications issues. If the link were broken, the systems would function in pseudo real-time mode until the mirroring system 'caught up' with the mirrored system, at which time the real-time link would be automatically reinstated.

Real-time mirroring is frequently referred to as synchronous mirroring because of the requirement to commit the transaction both locally and remotely prior to reflecting transaction complete to the client.

4.1.2Pseudo Real-time Mirroring

Pseudo real-time mirroring provides mirroring capabilities approximating those of real-time mirroring, but does not require that transaction complete be received from the mirroring system before reflecting back transaction complete to the client.

Pseudo real-time mirroring would typically be implemented where greater than Checkpoint mirroring protection were required, but factors such as economics, infrastructure etc. precluded the need for or feasibility of real-time mirroring.

As with Checkpoint mirroring, pseudo real-time mirroring is an asynchronous operation.

4.1.3StorEdge File Replicator

The StorEdge File Replicator employs a Pseudo Real-time mirroring approach. A diagram of the lifecycle of a transaction follows:

Chapter 4 StorEdge File Replicator 4-3

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Sun Microsystems 5310 NAS manual Pseudo Real-time Mirroring, StorEdge File Replicator
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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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