The first step is to configure the replication connection between a FlashArray pair. ActiveDR can be configured on either replication type (synchronous or asynchronous) though the replication connection type does not alter ActiveDR behavior in any way. The main difference between the two connection types is that the synchronous connection allows for ActiveCluster (active-active synchronous replication) to be enabled on a pod.
If the distance between the two FlashArrays is measured in a Round Trip Time (RRT) of more than 11ms, choose the asynchronous connection type. To create this connection login to the FlashArray GUI and click on the Storage pane and click on the plus sign in the Array Connections panel. Populate the opposing FlashArray management address and connection key (you can create this connection on either FlashArray).
To enter the connection key:
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1) Get connection key on remote FlashArray |
2) Copy connection key on remote FlashArray |
3) Enter connection key into local FlashArray |
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To enter the management address:
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1) Go to network settings of remote FlashArray |
2) Find VIR address of remote FlashArray |
3) Enter in remote address into local FlashArray |
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Click Connect.
The connection will be created. Ensure that the connection version is at least 6.0.0 (this will report the lower of the two Purity levels if the source and target versions are different):
The next step is to create a source pod or to identify a pre-existing pod to be protected by ActiveDR.
For a pre-existing pod to be protected by ActiveDR it cannot currently have any protection groups with asynchronous replication enabled nor can it be enabled for ActiveCluster. If you would like to enable ActiveDR for a pod in one or both of those scenarios you must first disable those protections first.
Login to the FlashArray of which you would like to replicate from (the desired "source" array). Click on Storage then Pods and click on the plus sign in the pods panel to create a new pod.
Enter in a name that describes the pod (it can always be renamed later) and click Create.
Click on the pod and then click on the plus sign in the Pod Replica Links panel. This will start the process to create the relationship between your selected pod to a remote pod on a target FlashArray.
In the window that appears choose the target FlashArray and the desired target pod (or create a new pod which can be done through the wizard as shown below):
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1) Choose a FlashArray |
2) Create a new pod or select an existing one |
3) Create the replica link by clicking Create. |
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The replication between the pods will immediately start and will go into a status of baselining until the pods are synchronized:
If you choose an existing pod to be the target pod, you must first "demote" the target pod before a replica link can be established.