Understanding Data Replication; Replication - Quantum DXi8500 User Manual

Chapter 6: DXi8500 Replication

Understanding Data Replication

Understanding Data Replication

Replication

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During data replication, data is sent from one system (the source) to
another system, usually in another location (the target). For example,
you might replicate data from a branch office (the source) to a central
office (the target).
send
Sources replicated data, and targets
target system can receive data from up to 10 sources. However, a source
system can send data to only a single target. Finally, one system can act
as both a source and a target.
Replication works only with deduplicated data, and data is compressed
before it is replicated. Because of this, the amount of data transmitted
between systems during replication is greatly reduced compared to the
original amount of data stored. In addition, a data block is transmitted
only if the target does not already have a copy of the block. Finally, data
can optionally be encrypted before it is transmitted.
The DXi8500 can perform the following types of replication:
• Replication
• Directory/File or Cartridge Based Replication
• OST Optimized Duplication
Replication occurs when replication is enabled for a deduplicated NAS
share or VTL partition and a replication schedule is configured (or
manual replication is performed on a regular basis). For replication to
occur, the source system must be configured to point to the target
system. Similarly, the target system must be configured to accept data
from the source system.
To optimize the replication process, deduplicated data is continuously
sent in the background from the source system to the target system.
However, a snapshot that preserves the file structure of your data is sent
to the target system only when a scheduled or manual replication job
occurs. A snapshot contains all of the information that is necessary to
recreate a share or partition just as it was at the point in time when the
snapshot was created.
receive
replicated data. A
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