Implementation methods and roadmap plan for a multisite disk data protection solution

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Plan for a multi-target replication solution with servers configured at two sites that use data deduplication and replication.

Implementation methods

You can configure servers for a multi-target replication solution in the following ways:
Configure servers by using the Operations Center and administrative commands
You can configure a range of storage systems and the server software for your solution. Configuration tasks are completed by using wizards and options in the Operations Center and IBM Storage Protect commands. For more information, see Planning a roadmap.
Configure servers by using automated scripts
For detailed guidance on configuration with specific IBM® Storwize® storage systems, and by using automated scripts to configure each server, see IBM Storage Protect Blueprints.

The blueprint documentation does not include steps for installing and configuring the Operations Center, or setting up secure communications by using Transport Security Layer (TLS). Replication is configured by using commands after each server is set up. An option for using Elastic Storage Server, based on IBM Storage Scale technology, is included.

Planning a roadmap

Plan for a multisite disk solution by reviewing the architecture layout in the following figure and then completing the roadmap tasks that follow the diagram.

Figure 1. Multisite disk solution
The image shows two identical sites with applications, virtual machines, and system back up to a server. The servers replicate data to each other and store data in deduplicated disk storage pools.

Plan for a multi-target replication solution by reviewing the architecture layout in the following figure and then completing the roadmap tasks that follow the diagram.

Figure 2. Multi-target replication solution
The image shows three identical sites (one source replication server and two target replication servers) with applications, virtual machines, and system back up to a server. The servers replicate data to each other and store data in deduplicated disk storage pools.
Tip: IBM Storage Protect 8.1.13 introduces a feature for replicating data by defining replication storage rules and associated subrules. This feature streamlines the configuration process and supports fine-tuning of replication operations. In addition, the feature supports enhanced protection of data in directory-container storage pools. If you implemented replication by using the REPLICATE NODE command, consider a transition to replication storage rules and subrules.

Roadmap tasks

The following steps are required to plan for a multisite disk or a multi-target replication environment.
  1. Select your system size.
  2. Plan for the sites.
  3. Meet system requirements for hardware and software.
  4. Record values for your system configuration in the planning worksheets.
  5. Plan for storage.
  6. Plan for security.
    1. Plan for administrator roles.
    2. Plan for secure communications.
    3. Plan for storage of encrypted data.
    4. Plan for firewall access.