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grantdavies
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Replication from primary to backup storage array

Hi All,

With the VMware Infrastructure Mid Size acceleration kit, is it possible to use VMware to replciate all LUNs from a primary storage array to a backup storage array in case of an array failure? They're going to be attached by iSCSI over GB ethernet. If not, what is the most straightforward way to replicate all data from a primary to a stand by array, with or without 3rd party tools?

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depping
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Welcome to the forums,

VMware does not provide storage replication. You will either need to utilize the replication tools the storage vendor provides or try 3rd party tools like:

http://www.veeam.com/vmware-esx-backup.html

http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vReplicator/

http://www.doubletake.com/uk/products/double-take-virtualization/Pages/VMware-Infrastructure.aspx

Duncan

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NWhiley
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Remember, all you are getting with VMware is a virtualization environment.

With ESX you get a VM console, with Workstation/Server you have your host OS.

If you want to replicate storage, the best place to do this is at the storage level. If this is not possible, then you are looking at OS level replication. For VMware workstation/server this would be best done in the host OS layer. For ESX, you will have to do it via the console VM which is based on Red Hat. You should be able to set up a cron to copy LUN 1 to LUN1a or whatever, but it will have to be able to deal with in use files.

I would strongly suggest you look at your storage layer, this is what SRDF/Continuos Replication style add ons are for.

Neil VCP
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depping
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Welcome to the forums,

VMware does not provide storage replication. You will either need to utilize the replication tools the storage vendor provides or try 3rd party tools like:

http://www.veeam.com/vmware-esx-backup.html

http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vReplicator/

http://www.doubletake.com/uk/products/double-take-virtualization/Pages/VMware-Infrastructure.aspx

Duncan

VMware Communities User Moderator

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Blogging: http://www.yellow-bricks.com

Twitter:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

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grantdavies
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Gentleman,

Thank you for your assistance, knowledge and taking the time to reply. Our preferred vendor for this type of product is Falconstor or Veeam.

Has anyone here used the Falconstor or Veeam products in this way? Really we just want block level replication to the backup NAS without the Per VM licen$ing cost of some of those solutions.

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athlon_crazy
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Yep, we do replicate our primary Datastore to the DR site using FalconStor product and that was our first SAN virtualization via FalconStor NSS.

VMware newbie..

Zen Systems Sdn Bhd

www.no-x.org

http://www.no-x.org
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grantdavies
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Great! Any further comments or feedback on the experience - painless and efficient? Any info on the amount of data or size of the pipes?

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athlon_crazy
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Oh yea...Since this was our first time implemented ipstor NSS instead CDP, hell ya.. it's a painfull but once it's up and running everything was pretty amazing. So, the result with ipstor NSS, each vmdk having their own LUN & Datastore. Now we able to do failover not only for the host but also for the storage.

VMware newbie..

Zen Systems Sdn Bhd

www.no-x.org

http://www.no-x.org