In a Dell RecoverPoint system with XtremIO arrays at both production and disaster recovery sites, setting the replication mode for a Consistency Group as “Continuous” implies that the replication occurs continuously without predefined intervals. This mode aims to minimize the Recovery Point Objective (RPO), which is the maximum targeted period in which data might be lost due to a major incident. While an RPO of 0 seconds is ideal, it is often not practical due to network latency and system processing times.Therefore, an effective RPO of less than 60 seconds is a realistic target for a “Continuous” replication mode, ensuring that data loss is minimized to the lowest possible timeframe in the event of a disaster1.

In a Dell RecoverPoint system, there is a limit to the number of volumes that can be managed within a cluster.If an administrator attempts to add local copies to existing Consistency Groups and the system already contains a significant number of Consistency Groups and replication sets, it is possible that adding more local volumes would exceed the system’s volume limit, which is 16,000 volumes per cluster1.

Here’s how the volume count could exceed the limit:

Each of the 100 Consistency Groups has 80 replication sets.

Assuming each replication set consists of at least one volume, this would already account for 8,000 volumes (100 CGs x 80 volumes each).

Adding a local copy for each Consistency Group would double the number of volumes, potentially exceeding the 16K volume limit per cluster.

This limitation is in place to ensure system stability and performance.If the limit is exceeded, the administrator will not be able to add additional local copies until the volume count is reduced or the system is reconfigured to stay within the limit1.

In Dell RecoverPoint, a Bookmark is a user-created point-in-time image that can be tied to specific application events. This feature allows users to mark a particular point in time within the continuous data protection timeline of RecoverPoint, which can be used for recovery purposes. Here’s how it works:

User Command: A user issues a command to create a Bookmark, typically through the RecoverPoint management interface or via scripting.

Tied to Application Events: The Bookmark can be associated with specific application events, such as before and after a significant update or batch process.

Point-in-Time Image: The Bookmark represents a point-in-time image of the data at the moment the Bookmark was created.

Recovery: In the event of data corruption or loss, the Bookmark can be used to recover data to the exact state it was in at the time of the Bookmark.

Bookmarks are an integral part of RecoverPoint’s data protection capabilities, providing flexibility and precision for data recovery operations1.

When using the MetroPoint feature of RecoverPoint to protect distributed VPLEX volumes, it is essential that both VPLEX clusters have a connected RecoverPoint cluster.This is necessary to create a MetroPoint Consistency Group, which is a configuration that allows for continuous data protection and availability across multiple sites1.

The MetroPoint solution provides a three-site configuration that combines VPLEX Metro (which operates within distances of 5-10ms round-trip time, application dependent) with a third site provided by a RecoverPoint appliance.This setup ensures that data is continuously available and protected, and it allows for failover between two Metro sites without impacting protection1.

It’s important to note that while MetroPoint enables protection for VPLEX devices at both sites, the requirement for both VPLEX clusters to be connected to a RecoverPoint cluster is crucial for the creation and proper functioning of a MetroPoint Consistency Group1.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is always best to consult the latest official Dell RecoverPoint documentation or contact Dell EMC support directly2.

In Dell EMC RecoverPoint, virtual RPAs (vRPAs) use iSCSI protocol for connections. This is because vRPAs are designed to operate in virtual environments where iSCSI is commonly used for storage networking due to its ability to work over standard IP networks.Physical RPAs, such as Gen-5 and Gen-6, typically use Fibre Channel (FC) for direct storage connectivity1.

Here’s a breakdown of the connectivity:

vRPA: Utilizes iSCSI for connections to protected storage. This is suitable for virtualized environments where the RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines (RP4VMs) operates.

Gen-5 and Gen-6 RPAs: These are physical appliances that generally use Fibre Channel for connectivity, which is more common in physical data center environments where dedicated storage networks are present1.

It’s important to choose the correct RPA type based on the storage infrastructure and connectivity requirements of the environment1.

In Dell RecoverPoint, a Consistency Group is built from one or more replication sets.Each replication set consists of a production volume plus any local or remote copy volumes to which it is replicating1. Since the mission-critical application is stored on three volumes, and each volume will be part of a replication set, the Consistency Group for the application will contain three replication sets.This ensures that all three volumes are protected and replicated as part of the RecoverPoint protection strategy1.

It’s important to note that the number of replication sets in a Consistency Group is equal to the number of production volumes being replicated.Therefore, if an application spans multiple volumes, each volume will be part of its own replication set within the Consistency Group1.

To meet the requirement of keeping a local copy of the production data in a RecoverPoint environment with VNX(SE) clusters, the administrator can add a local copy into the existing Consistency Group. This action does not require deleting and reconfiguring the existing Consistency Group or upgrading the license. Here are the steps:

Access Unisphere for RecoverPoint: Log into the Unisphere interface for RecoverPoint management.

Navigate to the Consistency Group: Find the Consistency Group that needs the local copy.

Add a Local Copy: Use the option to add a copy into the selected Consistency Group.

Configure the Local Copy: Specify the settings for the local copy, such as the Journal volume and RPO settings.

Apply Changes: Save the changes to implement the local replication.

This process allows the administrator to enhance the data protection strategy by adding a local copy for operational recovery or other business needs without disrupting the existing remote replication setup1.

The setting to change the primary RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA) for specific Consistency Groups is configured under the Group Policy tab for the Consistency Groups.This tab allows administrators to manage and adjust policies that affect the entire Consistency Group, including the assignment of the primary RPA, which is responsible for managing the replication for the group1.

The process for changing the primary RPA typically involves:

Accessing the Unisphere for RecoverPoint interface.

Navigating to the Consistency Groups section.

Selecting the specific Consistency Group to be modified.

Going to the Group Policy tab.

Adjusting the settings to designate a new primary RPA for the group.

This change can help balance the workload across the RPAs in the RecoverPoint system, ensuring that no single RPA becomes a performance bottleneck and that the replication process remains efficient and effective1.

Snapshot Technology: XtremIO arrays use snapshot technology that allows for quick access to data at a specific point in time.

Logged Access Mode: When using RecoverPoint with XtremIO arrays, Logged Access mode is used because it leverages the snapshot capabilities of XtremIO.

Instant Promotion: The snapshots created by XtremIO are instantly promoted as the SCSI personality of the copy, making them immediately accessible to the host.

Efficiency: This process is efficient because it does not require the Journal to roll forward or backward, which would be necessary for other access modes like Virtual Access.

This capability is part of what makes XtremIO an effective storage solution for environments requiring rapid access to multiple data points for testing, development, or recovery purposes12.

In a Dell RecoverPoint environment, Journal volumes are critical components used to track and manage point-in-time images for data replication and recovery. If Journal volumes are mistakenly masked to hosts, the following occurs:

Hosts Gain Access: The hosts that are zoned/masked to the Journal volumes gain the ability to write to these volumes.

Potential for Corruption: Any write access by hosts to the Journal volumes can lead to corruption of the Journal. This is because Journals are meant to be managed exclusively by RecoverPoint and should not be directly accessed or modified by hosts.

Impact on Replication: Journal corruption can disrupt the RecoverPoint replication process, potentially leading to data loss or an inability to recover to specific points in time.

Resolution: To prevent such issues, it is crucial to ensure that Journal volumes are not exposed to hosts and are only accessed by RecoverPoint Appliances (RPAs) for replication purposes12.

It is important to follow best practices for zoning and masking in a storage environment to avoid such critical configuration errors12.

The priority level of a Consistency Group in Dell RecoverPoint is used to manage bandwidth allocation among multiple CGs that share the same primary RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA). Here’s how it works:

Priority Level Setting: The priority level is set within the CG’s settings, indicating its importance relative to other CGs.

Bandwidth Allocation: The higher the priority level, the more bandwidth is allocated to that CG when bandwidth is limited.

Resource Management: This setting helps ensure that critical CGs receive the necessary resources for replication, especially during peak times or when system resources are constrained.

Replication Efficiency: By managing bandwidth allocation through priority levels, RecoverPoint can maintain efficient replication and meet Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for all CGs1.

This feature is particularly important in environments with multiple CGs and limited bandwidth, as it allows administrators to ensure that the most critical data is replicated first1.

To review the performance data for the past week in a RecoverPoint environment and save the raw data for further analysis, the export_statistics CLI command should be used. This command allows the administrator to export the performance statistics data, which can then be saved to a spreadsheet and used to create graphs or conduct detailed analysis of system performance over time. The steps to use this command are:

Access the CLI: Log into the RecoverPoint CLI using the appropriate credentials.

Execute the Command: Run the export_statistics command to gather the performance data.

Save the Data: The command will generate the performance data, which can be saved to a file.

Analyze the Data: Open the saved file in a spreadsheet application to review the data and create graphs as needed.

This command is particularly useful for administrators who need to monitor and analyze the performance of their RecoverPoint environment over a specific period1.

In Dell RecoverPoint, the Journal volumes play a crucial role in asynchronous replication. They store a history of write operations that have occurred on the production volumes, allowing for point-in-time recovery and data rollback. The write operations to the Journal volumes are typically large sequential writes.This is because the Journal is designed to efficiently record and consolidate changes made to the production data, which often involves large blocks of data being written in sequence1.

The Journal’s sequential write pattern is optimized for the replication process, ensuring that data is recorded with minimal impact on the production environment.This design choice reflects the need for the Journal to quickly and reliably capture data changes, which can then be replicated to the remote site asynchronously, without requiring immediate acknowledgment from the remote site1.

For detailed information on the configuration and operation of the Journal in a RecoverPoint system, it is recommended to refer to the official Dell RecoverPoint documentation or contact Dell EMC support for guidance specific to your system’s configuration and version1.

RecoverPoint/BK license mode is for local backup of Data Domain storage. RecoverPoint/BK is system-based licensing for all clusters in a RecoverPoint system:

•Synchronous replication

•Multipath I/O support

•Virtualization hypervisor support for Hyper-V and VMware platforms.

•Integration with VMware vCenter, VMware SRM and vSphere VAAI support

•Built-in bandwidth reduction

•Two to eight RecoverPoint appliances per RPA cluster for failure resiliency and throughput

RecoverPoint/BK Overview:

RecoverPoint/BK is a specialized licensing mode designed for local backup operations specifically aimed at EMC's Data Domain storage systems. It enhances the data protection capabilities by integrating with Data Domain for efficient backup and recovery processes.

Functionality and Features:

Local Backup: The RecoverPoint/BK license mode is particularly utilized for local backups of Data Domain storage arrays. It ensures that the data stored on Data Domain systems can be effectively backed up and restored locally.

Synchronous Replication: Provides real-time data replication between the primary and backup locations to ensure data consistency.

Multipath I/O Support: Ensures high availability and reliability by providing multiple data paths to storage.

Hypervisor Support: Supports virtualization platforms such as Hyper-V and VMware, allowing integration with various virtualized environments.

Integration with VMware: Supports integration with VMware vCenter, VMware SRM, and vSphere VAAI, enabling seamless management and operation within VMware environments.

Bandwidth Reduction: Includes built-in features to reduce bandwidth usage during data replication and backup operations.

Resiliency and Throughput: Supports two to eight RecoverPoint appliances per RPA cluster, enhancing failure resiliency and throughput for robust data protection.

Reference from EMC Documentation:

RecoverPoint/BK license mode is explicitly mentioned for local backups of Data Domain storage arrays, providing a comprehensive data protection solution with advanced features tailored for Data Domain.