Want to understand how backup server and DD are connected

Question

Hi All,

I require your help to understand my own Networker DD environment. The environment was set before i joined in. I have a nsr server at production and another one at DR site. The production nsr (8.0.1.1 running on Win2k8 R2) backups data to DD670 which gets replicated to DD670 at DR site (same OS and everything).

I see we can manage prod. DD via prod. nsr (creating devices, setting replication; I understand that is because of Boost feature ) but I wonder how this must have been set up initially, how did nsr server detect DD on network for the first time? how did the discovery occur? This is more important for me to understand because we will soon have a DR test, wherein the plan is to replicate the LUN which contains /nsr to a vm in DR site with the same name as of prod. nsr server(giving it the same name after shutting down prod. nsr server)

The question I am having is how will this server at DR site connect/identify to the replicated DD (ok...we do have networking in between but is only networking enough? or we run some initial discovery commands?)

Do tell me if you need more details?

Regards

tech88kur

ble1 · Accepted Answer

Well, you need to know name/IP of DD.  So, then you go to NMC and you define DD system or DD devices and that's it.  No hard work there (of course, you need to enable DD Boost, have DD Boost user and all those small things as described in documentation). You will have data from primary DD replicated on secondary site so you will just define that one as source fr your devices and that's it (or in your case, you can just disable primary devices and carry on using secondary for restores - for backups you will wish to create new devices and cloned ones will have pool which does not accept index data).  I think major question is your backup server and storage nodes - how are those setup?  Because when switching to DR, you must assume your primary side is gone for good.  I run cluster so I don't have to do anything, but I have a feeling this is not your setup.

tech88kur · Answer

Thanks Mr. Master, it works exactly like that, i checked it. Though no big deal but good for me to know.

" I think major question is your backup server and storage nodes - how are those setup? Because when switching to DR, you must assume your primary side is gone for good. I run cluster so I don't have to do anything, but I have a feeling this is not your setup."

Here I think that LUN replication will help with metadata (we do have LUN replication set on storage level) and cloned data on cloned DD so I think that can be used for getting data back. Does it make sense to you?

Also could you give me brief overview what happens in a cluster environment like yours. (I think yours must be the best environment.....yeah....because you manage it )

Regards

tech88kur

ble1 · Answer

I assume lun replication is something for /nsr. I assume you will kill your primary backup server and then start standby server on DR site with name and IP as original one, mount lun, install NSR and take it from there?

In my environment, I do not have active-passive setup, but rather active-active between sites. In that case it pays off to have cluster which takes cate of automatic switch between sites.

tech88kur · Answer

Hrvjoe asked - 'I assume lun replication is something for /nsr.  I assume you will kill your primary backup server and then start standby server on DR site with name and IP as original one, mount lun, install NSR and take it from there?' Answer - absolutely yes Is it a ok plan? Your suggestions please. Regards tech88kur

ble1 · Answer

Should be ok... if you missed something, you will notice it &#xa0; And make sure you document it... otherwise in few years time another user will pop up here saying previous admin left and no notes or knowledge has been left behind

tech88kur · Answer

Aye...Aye...Senor....I do not want to experience it by burning my hands during the DR.

Well as far as new admin is considered, you would be there as always to answer our queries. After all you are a super Backup Wizard. Mr. EMC Elect.

Regards

tech88kur

dynamox · Answer

hah..we now have a new nickname for H ..Backup Wizard

Data Domain

Want to understand how backup server and DD are connected

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