D-RP-DY-A-24 Dell RecoverPoint Deploy Achievement Questions and Answers

The state of a RecoverPoint cluster during the running of the Deployment Manager Cluster Conversion wizard is:

A. Maintenance Mode

Explanation:During the Cluster Conversion wizard, the RecoverPoint cluster is placed in Maintenance Mode. This state ensures that no replication activities occur, allowing safe changes and configurations to be applied without impacting data protection operations.

References:Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines 6.0.1 vSphere HTML5 Plugin Administrator's Guide, Chapter on Cluster Conversion and Maintenance Procedures.

Repository Volume: This is a special volume used by RecoverPoint for storing metadata about the system’s configuration and the data it protects.It is essential for the operation of RecoverPoint and must be present on any array that is part of a RecoverPoint/EX cluster1.

Journal Volume: The journal volume is used to store changes to protected data. It allows RecoverPoint to recover data to any point in time within the journal window.Like the repository volume, it is a required component of a RecoverPoint/EX cluster1.

When adding volumes from an unlicensed array to a RecoverPoint/EX cluster, both repository and journal volumes are supported and required for the cluster’s operation.Theadministrator must ensure that these volumes are properly configured to meet the system’s requirements1.

Install the new RecoverPoint/EX cluster: Begin by deploying the new RecoverPoint/EX cluster at the new data center. This involves setting up the physical or virtual appliances that will form the new cluster.

Add the license to the new cluster: Once the new cluster is installed, the next step is to add the appropriate licenses. This is crucial as it enables the new cluster’s functionality within the RecoverPoint environment.

Connect the new cluster to the existing system: After the licensing is in place, the new cluster needs to be connected to the existing RecoverPoint system. This includes configuring the communication between the new and existing clusters to ensure proper replication and synchronization.

For detailed guidance on these steps, the RecoverPoint Deployment Manager can be used.It provides a suite of wizards that assist with various operations, including modifying cluster settings and adding new clusters to an existing system1.Always ensure to use the latest version of the Deployment Manager and follow the instructions provided within the tool for a non-disruptive setup1.

It is also recommended to consult the Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines Installation and Deployment Guide for comprehensive instructions and best practices2.Additionally, for automation and scripting of deployment tasks, including adding new clusters, refer to the documentation on RecoverPoint for VMs Deployment Automation3.

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For a new Gen 6 RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA) within a VNX storage environment, the correct slots for the RAID 1-protected drives are Slot 0 and 1. This configuration ensures that the drives are mirrored for redundancy, providing fault tolerance in case one of the drives fails.The RAID 1 configuration is critical for maintaining the integrity of the data and the smooth operation of the RPA1.

For detailed installation instructions and RAID configuration, refer to the Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines Installation and Deployment Guide1.

Power On: Ensure that RPA-3 is powered on.

Configure LAN Address: Assign and configure the LAN IP address as displayed in the wizard for RPA-3.

Verification: Verify that the RPA-3 is reachable at the configured LAN address.

Advance the Wizard: Once the above steps are confirmed, select “Next” to proceed with the wizard.

It is essential that the RPA is powered on and correctly configured with the LAN address shown in the deployment wizard to ensure proper communication and integration into the RecoverPoint cluster1.

Zoning: All RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA) Fibre Channel (FC) ports must be zoned to the same Front-End (FA) ports as the hosts.This is to ensure that the RPAs can see the LUNs and perform the necessary operations1.

LUN Masking: After zoning, LUN masking must be configured to expose the LUNs to both the hosts and the RPAs through the same FA ports.This involves setting up the initiator group, port group, and storage group correctly1.

For detailed instructions on zoning and LUN masking with VMAX splitters, it is recommended to refer to the RecoverPoint Deploying with Symmetrix Arrays Technical Notes document, which provides comprehensive guidelines for these configurations1.

In the write phase of RecoverPoint replication, the write splitter intercepts write data from the production host and sends it to the RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA).

The RPA then immediately acknowledges receipt of the write data to the write splitter1.

This acknowledgement occurs as soon as the RPA receives the write, which is before the distribution phase or any acknowledgements from other copies involved in the replication process1.

The prompt acknowledgement allows the write splitter to continue processing other writes, ensuring efficient replication and system performance1.

For detailed information on the write phase and the role of the RPA and write splitter in RecoverPoint replication, it is advisable to consult the official Dell RecoverPoint documentation or contact Dell EMC support.

Configure the zoneincluding Unity ports and RP ports.

Perform the Unity cluster conversion(SE to EX).

Update the licensesto EX.

Confirm whether the RP cluster is addedto Unity1.

The Conversion wizard will convert both clusters on the RP system. Note that the conversion will convert the RP/SE system with the VNX arrays to a full RP system. RP/EX applies to licensing only.There are no additional configurations changes required on the VNX arrays1.

For more detailed steps and scenarios, you may refer to the “Using RP for Mid-Range Array Refresh” document available on Dell EMC Online Support, which is laid out in several scenarios1.

The System Modification wizard is part of the RecoverPoint Deployment Manager, which is used for various important RecoverPoint operations1.

The wizard allows you to modify several environment settings of a RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA) cluster2.

Among the settings that can be changed are:

Cluster name: This is the name assigned to the RecoverPoint cluster.

Time Zone: The local time zone for the RPA.

DNS server: The Domain Name System servers that the RPA will use for resolving hostnames.

These settings are essential for the proper functioning and integration of the RPA within the network and with other systems like VNX, VMAX, or VPLEX2.

For the most accurate and detailed instructions, always refer to the latest official documentation or contact Dell EMC support directly. The information provided here is based on general knowledge of RecoverPoint systems and may not reflect the most recent updates or specific configurations.

Access the Cluster Management Interface: Use a web browser to navigate to the RecoverPoint Cluster Management IP address.

Navigate to the Load Statistics: Append /info/long_term_statistics to the Cluster Management IP in the browser’s address bar.

View the Report: The RecoverPoint Cluster Load report can be viewed on this page, which provides long-term statistics including load information.

This method allows administrators to retrieve historical load data even if they did not capture the output at the time the capture load command was run1.

Understanding RecoverPoint Clusters: RecoverPoint clusters are groups of RecoverPoint Appliances (RPAs) that work together to provide data protection and replication services. Each cluster can manage multiple Consistency Groups and replication sets.

VNX Array and RecoverPoint Integration: The VNX array is a storage solution that supports integration with RecoverPoint for data replication and protection. When deploying RecoverPoint clusters with a VNX array, it is important to consider the limitations and best practices for configuration.

Maximum Number of Clusters:

Step 1: According to Dell RecoverPoint documentation, a single VNX array can support up to eight RecoverPoint clusters, provided that each LUN (Logical Unit Number) is attached to only one cluster at a time12.

Step 2: This configuration ensures that the LUNs are not shared across multiple clusters, which could lead to conflicts and data consistency issues.

Implementation:

Step 3: When setting up the clusters, ensure that each LUN is assigned to a specific cluster and not shared with others. This can be managed through the VNX management interface and the RecoverPoint Deployment Manager.

Step 4: Configure the clusters to handle the replication and protection tasks for their assigned LUNs. This involves setting up Consistency Groups, replication policies, and monitoring the system for any issues.

Verification:

Step 5: After deploying the clusters, verify that each LUN is correctly attached to only one cluster. Use the RecoverPoint Management Application to check the status and health of the clusters and their associated LUNs.

Step 6: Monitor the system to ensure that the replication and protection processes are functioning as expected.

References: This information is verified based on the official Dell RecoverPoint documentation, which outlines the maximum number of clusters supported by a single VNX array and the best practices for configuration12.

The snapshots that represent the point-in-time images during normal replication are kept:

C. In the Journal pool on the XtremIO array containing the production volume

Explanation:In a RecoverPoint system, the Journal volumes are used to store the snapshots that represent the point-in-time images of the data being replicated. When both the production and copy volumes are provisioned from XtremIO arrays, the Journal pool on the XtremIO array containing the production volume is utilized to store these snapshots during normal replication.

References:Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines 6.0.1 vSphere HTML5 Plugin Administrator's Guide, Chapter on Journal Sizing and Management.

Accessing the RPA: To retrieve the WWNs / PWWNs, you need to log into each RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA) individually.

Step 1: Use an SSH client to connect to the RPA.

Step 2: Log in with the boxmgmt user credentials.

Navigating to SAN Diagnostics: Once logged in, navigate to the SAN Diagnostics menu.

Step 3: From the main menu, select the option for SAN Diagnostics. This menu provides various diagnostic tools and information related to the SAN environment.

Retrieving WWNs / PWWNs: Within the SAN Diagnostics menu, you can retrieve the WWNs / PWWNs.

Step 4: Select the option to display the initiators. This will list the WWNs / PWWNs associated with the RPA.

Verification: Ensure that the retrieved WWNs / PWWNs are correct and correspond to the intended RPAs. This information is crucial for configuring zoning on the Brocade switch.

References: This process is verified based on the official Dell RecoverPoint documentation, which outlines the steps for accessing and retrieving WWNs / PWWNs from the RPAs12.

Initiator Identification: Unisphere identifies a RecoverPoint initiator with VNX through RPA registration by using the World Wide Name (WWN) of the RecoverPoint Appliance (RPA).

Registration Process: During the registration process, the RPA’s WWN is used to uniquely identify and authenticate the RPA within the storage network.

Unisphere Integration: Once registered, the RPA can be managed and monitored through Unisphere, which is the management interface for VNX and other EMC storage systems.

For detailed procedures on RPA registration and integration with Unisphere, refer to the Dell RecoverPoint deployment documentation or the Unisphere for RecoverPoint user guide12.

Select the Correct Installer: In the RecoverPoint Deployment Manager wizard, select the “RecoverPoint with VNX Installer” option. This installer is specifically designed for environments using VNX storage systems.

Cluster Configuration: Configure the clusters at both the production and disaster recovery sites to be managed as a single RecoverPoint system.

Complete the Installation: Follow the remaining steps in the Deployment Manager wizard to complete the installation and ensure that all four VNXs are integrated into the RecoverPoint system.

For detailed installation instructions and to ensure that the clusters are managed as one system, refer to the Dell RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines Installation and Deployment Guide1. This document provides comprehensive guidance on installing and configuring a Dell RecoverPoint system, including scenarios with multiple clusters and VNX arrays.