White Papers

5 PS Series Asynchronous Replication Best Practices and Sizing Guide | BP1012
1 Introduction
This white paper describes the Dell EMC PS Series asynchronous replication feature and presents lab
validated best practices to help IT and SAN administrators understand and fully utilize the powerful set of
volume data replication features delivered with every PS Series storage array.
The PS Series builds on a unique peer-storage architecture that is designed to provide the ability to spread
the load across multiple array members to provide a SAN solution that scales with the customer’s needs. This
pay-as-you-grow model allows customers to add arrays as their business demands increase the need for
more storage capacity or more I/O capacity.
Every PS Series array includes additional features such as snapshots, clones, replication, and all-inclusive
software: Group Manager, SAN Headquarters (SAN HQ), and Host Integration Tools. The built-in snapshot
feature enables quick recovery of files and clones for recovery of files or volumes, and the replication feature
allows the implementation of disaster recovery initiatives.
The PS Series software includes storage system-based replication. This feature (known as asynchronous
replication) provides the ability to replicate data volumes to peer PS Series storage arrays situated in remote
locations without setting the volumes offline. Asynchronous replication provides a disaster-recovery option in
case the original volume (or the entire PS Series group) is destroyed or otherwise becomes unavailable.
Asynchronous replication is a point-in-time replication solution that offers extended-distance replication. PS
Series asynchronous replication provides asynchronous, incremental data synchronization between primary
and secondary replicas. Scheduled replication events update the remote copy of the data with all the changes
that occurred on the primary copy since the last replication event occurred.
1.1 Audience
This white paper is intended for storage administrators who are involved in the planning or implementation of
a data recovery solution using PS Series asynchronous replication. Readers should be familiar with general
concepts of PS Series iSCSI storage as well as Ethernet LAN and WAN network concepts.
1.2 Key benefits of using PS Series asynchronous replication
Using asynchronous replication with a PS Series SAN as part of your storage infrastructure can provide
multiple benefits:
SAN-based replication is included at no additional cost: PS Series asynchronous replication replicates
volumes to remote sites over any distance by leveraging existing IP network infrastructure.
Ease of use: PS Series Group Manager and SAN Headquarters (SAN Headquarters) are included at no
additional cost. These easy-to-use GUI based tools allow for managing and monitoring PS Series arrays,
including all replication oriented tasks.
Manual Transfer Utility: The Manual Transfer Utility is also included at no additional cost. This host-based
tool integrates with the native replication function of the PS Series firmware to provide secure transfer of large
amounts of data between PS Series groups using removable media. The Manual Transfer Utility is beneficial
in environments where data protection is critical but bandwidth is limited.