PRIMECLUSTER Global Disk Services Configuration and Administration Guide 4.1 (Solaris(TM) Operating System)

5.3.2.2 Backup (by Synchronization)

This subsection describes the procedures for backing up volumes through use of snapshots of GDS Snapshot by synchronization. This method requires the following "Proxy Operations."

• Join

• Part

• Rejoin

• Break

Keep Proxies Parted If Possible
If proxies are kept parted, they can be used for master data restoration. Therefore, it is recommended to keep proxies parted if possible. For the restore procedures see "Restore."

"Part" Proxies after Stopping Services
To ensure integrity of backup data, always stop services before executing "Part." You may resume the services once "Part" is complete. It is unnecessary to stop services when backing up data to tape and so on.
For details, see "Ensuring Consistency of Snapshot Data."

Snapshot by Synchronization Use Conditions
See the following sections for points of concern.

• "Exception to Proxy Configuration"

• "Number of Proxy Volumes"

• "Proxy Volume Size"

• "Proxy Group Size"

Use Conditions for Copy Functions of Disk Units
See "Using the Advanced Copy Function in a Proxy Configuration" and "Using EMC TimeFinder or EMC SRDF in a Proxy Configuration."

Join

Join a volume for backup (a proxy volume) to a volume to be backed up (a master volume).

To back up all the volumes within a group simultaneously, join a group for backup (a proxy group) to a group to be backed up (a master group).

For the "Join" procedures see "Join."

Part

Make sure that synchronization copying from a master to a proxy is complete in the Main screen, and part the proxy from the master.

Follow the procedures below.

1. Selecting a proxy to be parted

   Click a master volume icon on the GDS Configuration Tree in the Main screen.

   To back up all the master volumes within a master group simultaneously, click the master group icon.

   
   Select [View]:[Details]:[Proxy Object] to view all the proxy objects related to the master object selected on the GDS Configuration Tree, in the Object Information Field. In this field, click an icon of a proxy volume or a proxy group used for backup.

   Proxy Objects That Can Be Parted
   Proxy volumes can be parted if they are joined and if copy is complete.

   
   

2. Selecting the [Part] menu

   Select [Operation]:[Proxy Operation]:[Part].

   [Figure: Part]

   

   
   

3. Setting the environment for parting the proxy

   The Part Proxy dialog box appears.

   [Figure: Setting the Part Environment]

   

   
   

   Set the environment for parting the proxy.

   1. Instant Snapshot

      Specify whether to change the synchronization mode to the OPC mode.

      The default value is "No." If synchronization copying from the master to the proxy is incomplete, the part process will fail.

      If this option is set to "Yes", instant snapshots are created with the OPC function. Even if synchronization copying from the master to the proxy is in progress, the proxy will be parted and then background copying from the master to the proxy will be executed with the OPC function. If the OPC function is unavailable, the part process will fail.

      Instant Snapshot by OPC Use Conditions
      See the following sections.

      • "Using the Advanced Copy Function in a Proxy Configuration"

      • "Instant Snapshot by OPC"

      
      

   2. Just Resynchronization Mechanism

      Set the mode of Just Resynchronization Mechanism (JRM) for proxies. The default value is "on."

      
      For details on JRM for proxies, see "Just Resynchronization Mechanism (JRM)."

      
      

   3. Access Mode

      Set the access mode of the parted proxy volume.

      The default value is "Read Only." The parted proxy volume will be read-only and an error occurs if it is opened in write mode.

      To permit write access to the parted proxy volume, set this option to "Read/Write."

   After the settings are complete, click <OK>. Clicking <Cancel> cancels the part process.

   
   

4. Information message of the completion

   A message window appears informing you that the part process is complete.

   [Figure: Information Message of "Part" Completion]

   

   
   

   Click <OK> to close the information message window.

   Back up data through use of the proxy volume.

   
   

Rejoin

To re-execute backup, rejoin a parted proxy to a master.

Follow the procedures below.

1. Selecting a proxy to be rejoined

   Click an icon of a master volume to be backed up on the GDS Configuration Tree in the Main screen.

   To back up all the master volumes in a master group simultaneously, click the master group icon.
   
   Select [View]:[Details]:[Proxy Object] to view all the proxy objects related to the master object selected on the GDS Configuration Tree, in the Object Information Field. In this field, click an icon of a proxy volume or proxy group used for backup.
   
   

2. Selecting the [Rejoin] menu

   Select [Operation]:[Proxy Operation]:[Rejoin] in the Main screen.

   [Figure: Rejoin]

   

   
   

3. Confirming

   A confirmation dialog box appears asking you whether to rejoin the proxy.

   [Figure: Confirming "Rejoin"]

   

   
   

   To continue the process, click <Yes>. Clicking <No> cancels the proxy rejoin process.

   
   

4. Information message of the completion

   A message window appears informing you that the rejoin process is complete.

   [Figure: Information Message of "Rejoin" Completion]

   

   
   

   Click <OK> to close the information message window.

   
   

Break

If no more backup is necessary, break the relationship between the master and the proxy.

For "Break Proxy" procedures see "Breaking a Proxy."