Network Backup Version 9.1 Cloud Storage Replication Guide
From Arkeia Documentation
Cloud Storage Replication Description
Cloud Storage Replication is a feature integrated in Arkeia Network Backup and Appliance products intended to replicate backup data to another instance of Arkeia. The "2nd Instance" of Arkeia could be an existing backup server environment on your LAN or via WAN. It can also be an Instance of Arkeia hosted in a Private or Public Cloud. Cloud Replication is tightly integrated with Arkeia Backup Appliance Hardware, Virtual Appliances and Arkeia Network Backup Software.
Tight integration with Arkeia Network Backup software and all-in-one Appliances means companies can pick the optimum location for backup jobs to reside, and automate the movement of the data. Companies can backup to disk locally, archive to tape locally, and replicate offsite to another location or data center all within the same interface and scheduling tool.
Supported Features
Replication Of Dedupe Data
Arkeia v9.1 Cloud Replication option supports the replication of dedupe data by the replication operation.
When replicating an individual backup set or an entire DiskStorage, only blocks that are not already present in the remote block pool are transferred.
When recovering replicated data, only blocks that are not present in the local block pool are transferred from the replication server.
Unlike a standard backup, Data Deduplication requires more memory and central processing power to obtain the best performance possible.
Arkeia recommends the following minimum hardware specifications on a for data deduplication operations.
- (64 Bit) Linux Operating System
- 4 (64 bit) CPU Cores
- 16 GB of Available Memory or more
Replication Methods
The following replication methods are supported.
- Interactive Replication
- Chained Replication
- Scheduled Replication
Backup Types
The following backup types are supported.
- Total backups to Disk
- Incremental backups to Disk
- Differential backups to Disk
- Archive backups to Disk
Replication Options
The following replication options are supported.
- Simple backup replication
- Simple replication restoration
- Cross replication between Replication Destinations
- Cross replication restoration between Replication Destinations
- Shared accounts by guest
- Indexing a replicated Disk Storage
- Backup Server Restore Functionality
- Tape Replication of Replicated Disk Storage
- Enable or Disable Replication Compression (default = disabled)
Replication Systems
Replication Destination
The target computer that hosts the replicated data is called the Cloud Sroage Replication Destination.
Any Arkeia Client or Backup Appliance can be configured as a Replication Destination after a replication license is added to it.
A Replication Destination does not have to be an Arkeia Client machine that claims a backup license.
It can be a stand alone server hosting Arkeia Software and acting as a Replication Destination.
An Arkeia Replication Destination can be any combination of the following when a Replication License is installed.
- Arkeia Network Backup Server
- Arkeia Physical Appliance
- Arkeia Virtual Appliance
- Arkeia Client (limited to Linux, AIX, Solaris)
Replication Source
The source computer sending a replication data set to a Replication Destination is called a Replication Source. A Replication Source is the opposite of the normal (backup server / client) meaning.
The Replication Source is an Arkeia Backup Server that host backup data on disk.
- Arkeia Network Backup Server
- Arkeia Backup Physical Appliance
- Arkeia Backup Virtual Appliance
Replication Ports
Arkeia's Cloud Storage Replication option uses port 21873 default.
The port can be modified by the end user but it must be done for all Replication Sources and at the Destination.
vi /opt/arkeia/arkeiad/arkrsync.prf #RSYNC_PORT_NUMBER "21873"
Cloud Storage Replication Architecture
In a Replication operation, the data set from an Arkeia Disk Storage backup job is copied to another machine hosting the Replication License.
The replicated data is a normal Arkeia backup data set which can be used in the same way as the original backup data set.
A typical Arkeia replication architecture includes one Replication Destination and one or more Replication Sources (Backup Servers).
Cloud Replication Speeds
The speed of backup replications can be determined by many factors:
- available bandwidth
- network traffic at the time of replication
- disk read speeds on the source
- disk write speeds at the destination
- etc...
The following chart depicts possible data transfer times of moving a 10 GB file.
Type of Connection bits per second Hours Minutes 14.4 kbps 14,400 bps 1650 00 28.8 kbps 28,800 bps 830 00 33.6 kbps 33,600 bps 720 00 56 kbps 56,000 bps 430 00 64K ISDN 64,000 bps 370 00 128K ISDN 128,000 bps 190 00 640K-DSL 640,000 bps 38 00 1.54M T1/1.5-DSL 1.5 Mbps 16 00 T3/DS3 45 Mbps 00 35 OC3 156 Mbps 00 10 OC12 622 Mbps 00 5
Cloud Replication Compression
Data Compression is disabled by default for the Cloud Replication option in v9.1.
Disabling Cloud Replication offers faster data transfer rates, but will result in more data on the network.
Each Cloud Replication operation provides an option to Enable or Disable compression.
Prerequisites
CPU and Memory
Data Dedupe Environments
Unlike a standard backup, Data Deduplication requires more memory and central processing power to obtain the best performance possible.
Arkeia recommends the following minimum hardware specifications for data deduplication operations.
- (64 Bit) Linux Operating System
- 4 (64 bit) CPU Cores
- 16 GB of Available Memory
None Data Dedupe Environments
The minimum server requirements are 512 MB Memory and a 1.0 GHz processor for non data deduplication environments.
Although Arkeia can be hosted on the minimum hardware environment, the best performance will be obtained by deploying a backup server based on your total backup data size.
The following descriptions are "suggested" comparable configurations for selective class backup environments that should provide the best performance.
The information below should be used as a basic guideline for dedicated backup server hardware.
Each backup environment is different. The type, structure, retention policy and overall backup policy should dictate the level of hardware required for your production environment. Your backup deployment may require more or less CPU, Memory and Disk Space so plan accordingly.
Hostname and IP Addresses
Before configuring the Backup Server and Cloud Storage Replication Server, predefine the hostname and ip addresses for both nodes.
The following hostnames and IP addresses will be used for this guide.
Backup Server backups.us.arkeia.com 192.168.5.211 Cloud Replication Server cloud.us.arkeia.com 192.168.5.126
Name Resolution
Ensure the two instances of Arkeia can connect to each other.
Backup Server to Cloud Storage Server
Login to the Backup Server and verify connectivity to the Cloud Storage Server.
ping 192.168.5.126 nslookup 192.168.5.126 traceroute 192.168.5.126
If using Domain Name Resolution, ensure the hostname can resolve.
Update your DNS and local system /etc/host file as needed.
ping cloud.us.arkeia.com nslookup cloud.us.arkeia.com traceroute cloud.us.arkeia.com
Cloud Storage Server to Backup Server
Login to the Cloud Storage Server and verify connectivity to the Backup Server.
ping 192.168.5.211 nslookup 192.168.5.211 traceroute 192.168.5.211
If using Domain Name Resolution, ensure the hostname can resolve.
Update your DNS and local system /etc/host file as needed.
ping backups.us.arkeia.com nslookup backups.us.arkeia.com traceroute backups.us.arkeia.com
Kernel Message Queue Settings
The Cloud Replication process may require more kernel message queues than originally configured in the Linux Installation Guide and the Quick Start Guide.
Ensure to increase the kernels IPC setting "kernel.msgmni" to 1000 or higher on the Backup and Cloud Replication Server or Cloud Replication operations could fail.
vi /etc/sysctl.conf
# Sets maximum number of message queues for cloud replication to 1000 # (kernel default is 16 or 200) kernel.msgmni = 1000
Activate and verify the changes using the following commands.
/sbin/sysctl -p /usr/bin/ipcs -l
Arkeia Time Out Parameters
Ensure to add the following parameters to the "BOTH" the Backup Server and the Cloud Server to increase the FLOW and RSYNC Time out parameters after the Arkeia Environment has been deployed. These parameters ensure default timeouts are not triggered during the Cloud Replication process
vi /opt/arkeia/server/server.prf
# If the Arkeia Network Layer Protocol (NLP) doesn't receive any data for 15 minutes # it may report a connection error and start a recovery procedure for an additional FLOW_TIMEOUT delay of 15 minutes by default. # Add this following parameter to the server.prf file to extend the flow time out. # # default = 15 minutes # 3600 sec = 1 hour # 7200 sec = 2 hours # 10800 sec = 3 hours # 14400 sec = 4 hours FLOW_TIMEOUT "3600" # RSYNC_TIMEOUT is added to the server.prf file of the source Replication Server to increase the timeout of the arkrsync process. #The default is 300. RSYNC_TIMEOUT "3600"
Cloud Storage Replication Server Configuration
Ensure the Cloud Storage Replication Server (Destination) is configured and online
Software Installation
The Replication Destination can be a secondary Backup Server or an machine running the Arkeia Client / Server software but may not be a part of the standard backup policy.
Replication License
When purchasing the Cloud Storage option, you will receive two Arkeia Licenses.
- Arkeia licenses Cloud Replication by Account Login.
- A single Replication License allows One Backup Server to replicate data to a single Cloud Server. However, all Disk Storage belonging to the backup server can access the Destination Server using the same account.
- Two Accounts from a single backup server requires two replication licenses.
- The Replicated Data stored on the Replication Cloud Server is "unlimited". There is no data or volume license needed on the Replication Destination (unless the Replicated Data is indexed into a restorable Disk Storage).
- The Cloud Storage Replication License only activates the Replication Destination feature and does not provide full backup server functionality unless a backup server license is applied.
- The Backup Server License allows you to login after the 30-Day trial period has expired.
- If you are replicating between two existing Arkeia Backup Servers, DO NOT ADD the extra backup server license as it contains no drive or client options.
Login to the Cloud Storage Servers WebUI
Install the Replication and the Server License.
Configure > Licenses
Click "Add A License"
Enter the license information.
Click "Create"
Log out of the Web Interface and log back in or click on the license to activate it.
If you receive the error message "Illegal Key Code", ensure there are no white spaces before and after each license parameter and click "Create" again to enter the license.
Replication Activation
Activate the Cloud Storage option on the Cloud Storage Destination Server
Configure > Cloud Storage Replication
Ensure a path to host the Cloud Storage Replicated Data
Click "Active Cloud Storage"
If Replication is enabled, you will be presented with the Accounts Screen
Replication De-Activation
The Cloud Storage option can be deactivated if not being used.
Source Backup Server will not be able to Replicate data if the service is De-Activated.
Configure > Cloud Storage Replication
Click "Manage Cloud Replication Activation"
Click "Disable the Replication Destination" to stop the Service.
Replication Accounts
An account allows a replication source machine (Backup Server) authenticate privileges to a destination machine.
As soon as a source machine is connected to an account, it can replicate data to the destination machine through this account.
As soon as a source machine has successfully established a connection to an account, this account becomes active and no other source machine will be allowed to connect to this account, even if the correct account password is provided.
Click "Add An Account"
Account Name
A unique name on this Replication Destination.
A good naming scheme is to use the FQDN of the backup Server that will use this account.
Password
The password to be used when the Source Backup Server authenticates to this account.
Quota
Allows a disk space quota to be set per account.
The default is NO Quota.
Destination Volume
The location on Backup Appliance's internal storage where data replicated from the peer Replication Source will be stored.
Enter the Account Name to be used by the Backup Server.
Enter and Verify the password to be used by this Account
Check the box next to "Set A Quota For this Account" if you want to limit the amount of storage available (Default = NO)
Select a Volume for the account to use
Click "Add" to create and activate the account.
Verify the Account has been created.
Repeat this process for all other Backup Servers replicating data to this Cloud Storage Server if you have enough Replication Licenses.
Account State
A specific "flag state" is displayed next to each account listed on the Main Accounts Screen.
The flag represents the current state of each account.
RED A read account is "disabled" can account be accessed by any replication source. A Replication Destination administrator must enable the account.
GREEN A green account is allocated to a Replication Source. It is considered enabled and ready to accept data transfer requests from it's associated Replication Source.
ORANGE An orange account is free (which means that no replication source is associated to it) and is ready to be allocated to a Replication Source. This allocation must be performed by and from the Replication Source via a connection request.
Account Management
Each account can be managed individually on the Cloud Storage Server.
Configure > Cloud Storage Replication
Modify An Account
Select an Account to modify
Click on "Modify Account"
Enabled And Disabled Accounts
Account Enabled
An enabled account is ready to accept connections from a Replication Source.
A disabled one will refuse any and all connections.
Replication Account Managers can enable or disable an account at any time.
Account Active
An account is dedicated to one sole Replication Source and one Replication Source can connect to a given account.
As soon as a Replication Source has successfully established a connection to an account, it becomes active and no other Replication Source will ever be allowed to connect to this account even if the correct account password is provided.
An active account cannot be returned to the inactive state.
An active account remains active forever, so that it is indefinitely reserved for the first Replication Source that has successfully managed to establish a connection with it.
Account Shared
Active accounts are accessible only by their associated Replication Source.
Only this Source is allowed to replicate data and/or recover data to/from the account.
However, it is possible to grant other Replication Sources read-only access to data available in an account by sharing this account. Any Replication Source can connect as guest to any shared account as soon as it provides the password associated to the shared account.
A Replication Source connected as guest to a shared account can view data stored in this account. It can also restore data from this account to its own storage. However, it is not allowed to replicate its own data to the account.
Account sharing and can be enabled and disabled at anytime.
Inactive accounts cannot be shared.
Set Quota
A quota can be to any account and modified to increase or decrease the amount of disk space allowed by a given account.
Change Password
Select an Account
Click on "Change Password"
Enter the NEW password, confirm
Click "Update"
Delete An Account
Select an Account
Click on "Delete Account"
Click "OK" to delete the account
Backup Server Replication Source Configuration
A Replication Source is a computer which contains backup data sets to be replicated to a Replication Destination.
The Replication Source is an Arkeia Backup Server.
- Arkeia Network Backup Server
- Arkeia Network Backup Physical Appliance
- Arkeia Network Backup Virtual Appliance
A Replication Source must first connect and authenticate to a Replication Destination account in order to replicate backup sets. The Replication Source can establish a new connection to a Replication Destination account only if this account is both enabled and inactive. As soon as such a connection has been created, a Replication Source can initiate immediate or scheduled replication jobs of its Disk Storage data.
To successfully achieve a connection to a Cloud Storage Destination Account, the Backup Server must provide following information:
- A name identifying the new connection to create
- The IP address of the remote Replication Destination to connect to
- The name of the account to connect to
- The password associated to the remote account
The two types of connections supported are "normal" and "guest".
Normal Connection (read/write)
- The account on the Cloud Storage Destination must be enabled and inactive for the connection to succeed.
- The connection will fail if the remote account is either disabled or active.
- Accounts are "Enabled" at the time of creation by default.
A normal connection to a remote account grants the Replication Source read and write access to this account.
The Replication Source can:
- view data available in the remote account through this connection.
- perform replication operations of its Disk Storage to the remote account through this connection.
- perform recovery operations of data available in the remote account to its own disk storage.
Guest Connection (read-only)
- It is possible for a Replication Source to establish a guest connection to a remote shared account.
- A guest connection will not succeed if the remote account is not shared.
- A guest connection to a remote account grants the Replication Source read-only access to this account.
The Replication Source connecting as a guest can:
- view data available in the remote account through this connection.
- perform recover operations of data available in the remote account to its own disk storage.
- CANNOT perform replication operations of its Disk Storage to the remote account through this connection.
Create A Normal Connection
Login to the Backup Server
Replicate > Where To Replicate > Cloud Storage
Click "Establish A New Connection"
Connection Name
The name of the connection on the Backup Server.
A good naming scheme is to use the FQDN or the IP of the Cloud Storage Replication Server.
Destination IP Address
The IP address of the Cloud Storage Replication Server
Account Name
The Account Name created on the Cloud Storage Server to be used by this Backup Server.
Account Password
The Cloud Storage Servers password that is associated to the Account being used for this connection.
Enter a name for the account on the Backup Server
Enter the IP Address of the Cloud Storage Replication Server
Enter the name of the Account you wish to connect to as it resides on the Cloud Storage Server.
Enter the password for the Account selected above
Click "Connect" to create the "Normal Account"
Create A Guest Connection
Before creating a Guest Account on an Arkeia Backup Server, the Cloud Storage Account must have the "Shared Connection" option enabled.
- Sharing is disabled by default.
- Only "Active Accounts" can be Shared
Cloud Storage Server Account
Open the Web Interface to the Cloud Storage Server and navigate to Replication Accounts.
Configure > Cloud Storage Replication
Select an Account that is "Active" Only "Active Accounts" can be Shared
Click on "Modify Account"
Select the box "Account Is Shared" box
Enter the password and confirm for the guest account connections
Click "Update"
Notice that the "Account Shared Status" is set to YES
Backup Server Account
A "Guest Connection" is (Read-Only) and is typically used to recover replicated data to another backup server or when a backup server experiences a hardware failure.
Login to the Web Interface of your existing or replacement Arkeia Network Backup Server
Replicate > Where To Replicate > Cloud Storage
Click on "Establish a Guest Connection"
Enter the name of the connection you want to establish. A good naming convention is to use the FQDN of the Cloud Storage Server.
Enter the Cloud Storage Servers as the Destination IP
Enter the Account Name on the Cloud Storage Server you will connect to as a guest
Enter the Guest Account access password on the Cloud Server
Click "Connect"
Verify the new Guest Connection Account
Replication Account Management
Management of the Replication Accounts can be accomplished from the Replication Accounts Screen on each Backup Server.
Login to the Web Interface of your existing Arkeia Network Backup Server
Replicate > Where To Replicate > Cloud Storage
Select an Account from the List
Source Connection Test
Testing the connection between a Replication Source and the Replication Destination can be accomplished at any time.
Click on "Test"
Connection Test results will appear in the real time message box
Replication Destination IP Address Change
The Backup Servers Account must be updated if the Cloud Storage Server IP address has changed.
Click on "Change Replication Destination IP Address"
Input with the new IP Address
Click "Update"
Replication Destination Password Change
The Replication Source must be updated if the Replication Destination's password changes for this Replication Source Account.
Click on "Change Password for Connection"
Enter and Confirm the new password
Click "Update"
Delete Connection
Deleting a Replication Source Connection can be done at anytime.
Click on "Delete Connection"
Click "OK" at the pop up screen
Manage Backup Server Source Data
The Replicable Data Screen details how much of the available data storage space is occupied, and how much of the stored backup data has been replicated for a Source computer.
Other options of this screen are:
- Start Immediate Replications of Disk Storage data
- Recover Replicated Data Sets
- Index Recovered Backup Data Sets
Replicate > When To Replicate > Immediate Replicate > Cloud Storage
Clicking on the Account Name will display the status of all Disk Storage configured on the backup server.
The information will only be displayed if the Connection to the Cloud Destination is successful.
As soon as a connection to a Replication Destination has been established it becomes visible and usable from the Manage Replicable Data screen.
Options:
Size
All data available inside a Disk Storage which can be replicated to the Cloud Storage Destination.
Replicated Size
All data available on the Cloud Storage Destination which can be recovered to the backup server.
Replication Source Connection Error
If there is a connection error with the Replication Source Protocol, no Disk Storage will be listed for the local backup server.
- Validate the User Name and Passwords for the Accounts on the Backup Server and the Cloud Storage Server.
- Ensure the correct IP addresses are used. Verify connectivity with ping and traceroute is needed.
- Ensure the Cloud Storage Server is powered on and that the Arkeia Replication Service is started
Normal Connection
Date View
The main characteristic of a "Normal Connection" is that both Replication and Recover operations can be performed through the connection.
Normal connections are (read-write) capable.
Disk Storage Name and Size
Each Disk Storage configured on the local backup server is indicated with the Name of the Disk Storage and the Disk Storage Size (Capacity) allocated.
Blue Bar Graphs
The Dark Blue bars represent actual data stored locally in the backup servers Disk Storage.
The Light Blue bar represents free space still available in the Disk Storage.
Red Bar Line
The Red Bar Line indicates data available for Replication Recovery on the Cloud Storage Server.
The Red Bar Line will only be visible if data has been replicated and is recoverable.
Replicated Size
Indicates the amount of data replicated to the Cloud Storage Server.
The default is 0 when nothing has been replicated.
Replication Actions
Refresh Button
Refreshes the connection Replication Connection and updates the data views.
Zoom In
The "Zoom In" feature Displays detailed Data Views at the Backup Job Savepack level that are presently hosted on a Disk Disk Storage.
The values displayed are:
- Savepack Name
- Backup Job Start Time
- Backup Job (Local Size)
- Backup Job Replicated (Remote Size)
Start Replication
Start an immediate replication of an entire Disk Storage to the Cloud Replication Server by clicking on the "->" icon.
Reindex A Disk Storage
Re-Index a Recovered Disk Storage by clicking on the "-> <-" icon.
Start Recovery
Start an immediate recovery of an entire Disk Storage from the Cloud Replication Server by clicking on the "<-" icon.
The "Start Immediate Recovery" icon is only displayed if data from the Disk Storage has been replicated and is available for recovery.
Guest Connection
- Guest Connections are (Read-Only) and cannot Replicate Data to the Cloud Storage Server so nothing is Displayed for Local Disk Storage. Only Replicated Data that resides on Cloud Replication Server will be displayed.
- Nothing will be display in the "Guest Connection" Data View unless there is Replicated Data present on the Cloud Replication Server.
- Guest Connections are only possible if the Cloud Storage Account is "Active" and the "Shared Connection" option enabled. Sharing is disabled by default.
Date View
Guest (Read-Only) connections will only display information if Replicated Data is present on the Cloud Storage Server.
Red Bar Line
The Red Bar Line indicates data available for Replication Recovery on the Cloud Storage Server.
Zoom In
The "Zoom In" feature Displays detailed Data Views at the Backup Job Savepack level that are presently hosted on a Disk Disk Storage.
The values displayed are:
- Savepack Name
- Backup Job Start Time
- Backup Job (Local Size)
- Backup Job Replicated (Remote Size)
Replication Actions
Create A New Disk Storage
Click the "Red Plus Sign" to Create A New Disk Storage on the backup server hosting the Guest Account.
The newly created local Disk Storage will be associated to the remote Disk Storage, so that remote replicated data from the Cloud Server can be recovered to this backup server.
Manage Cloud Destination Data
The Replicated Data residing on the Cloud Storage Server an be managed by logging into the Cloud Storage instance of Arkeia. The following options are:
- view data replicated from source Backup Servers
- reindex Cloud Storage replicated data, so that it can be restored or replicated to tape (License Required)
- delete Cloud Storage replicated data
Login to your Cloud Storage Server's WebUI
Monitor > Cloud Storage
Click on the Account Name to expand
Data View
Zoom In
The "Zoom In" feature Displays detailed Data Views at the Backup Job Savepack level that are presently hosted on a Disk Disk Storage.
The values displayed are:
- Savepack Name
- Backup Job Start Time
- Backup Job (Local Size)
- Backup Job Replicated (Remote Size)
Date Actions
Delete Data
Delete all replicated data in the account by pressing the Red "X" icon.
If you click Delete, data will be physically removed from the replication destination
machine and will not be available for recovery by any source machine.
Reindex A Disk Storage
Re-Index a Recovered Disk Storage by clicking on the "-> <-" icon.
- If the selected data is not associated to any Disk Storage, a new Disk Storage must be created first.
In this case, the Disk Storage name must be provided. - If selected data is already associated to a Disk Storage, then its name is displayed below, but cannot be modified.
Immediate Replication
Start Replication
An Immediate Cloud Storage Replication can be manually started by the Backup Administrator.
When an Immediate Replication is done, all backup data on the chosen Disk Storage is Replicated.
Replication of a specific Savepack or Backup Job can be accomplished as a Scheduled Cloud Replication or the Scheduled and Immediate Disk Storage Backup Options.
Replicate > When To Replicate > Immediate Replicate > Cloud Storage
Click on the name of a "Normal Connection" to expand it
Select a Disk Storage to Replicate This example will Replicate "Target Disk 2"
Click the -> icon to start the Cloud Replication which will take you to the Replication Start Screen
Select the Cloud Replication Options as needed
* Use email notification: Sends an email report to the Arkeia User starting the Replication Job * Set a retention time: Sets a retention time on the replicated data. After the retention time has expired, the data is purged from the Cloud Server. Default = 30 Days * Set a bandwidth limit in KB/s: Limits the Replication Data Transfer to KB/s. Default = Unlimited * Activate compression: Compression will save bandwidth but take more time and resources Default = No Compression
Click "Start Replication"
The Replication Job details can be viewed in the Real Time Messages Window
Replication Job Verification
Backup Email Report
An email report will be delivered to the end user if email deliver is configured and checked at the time of Replication Start.
Manage Source Data Screen
Refresh the "CloudStorage: Manage Source Data" screen and Expand the Connection to view the changes after the Replication Operation has completed.
Notice the "Replicated Size" changed from "0" to the amount of data existing on the Cloud Storage Server.
Click the "Zoom" button to review the specific backup jobs replicated by Savepack Name.
Replication Reports
Cloud Replication Operations can be viewed from the Cloud Storage Replication Reports screen.
Reports > Cloud Storage Replication
Select the Report to View and click on the -> icon to expand the job.
Scheduled Replication
A Scheduled replication will start at a given future time and date, then repeat at regular intervals.
The advantage of scheduled replications is that they are executed automatically, without operator or user intervention.
Supported Features
The Scheduled Cloud Replication supports the following features.
- Setup and Configuration Wizard
- Default Scheduled Replication Policies (Monthly, Weekly, Daily)
- Replicated Data retention time
- Replication of the entire disk storage
- Replication of specific (single or multiple) Savepack(s)
- Easy (default) or Expert mode for more options
Configuration Options
The Replication Wizards support the following default options.
Monthly
The Monthly options are:
- Start Time
- Replicate on the X day of the month
- Replicate on the X day before the last day of the month
- Replicate on the X specific day of the month
- Cloud Storage Data retention time
Weekly
The Weekly options are:
- Start Time
- Replicate on the specific day(s) of the week
- Cloud Storage Data retention time
Daily
The Weekly options are:
- Start Time
- Replicate every day of the week
- Cloud Storage Data retention time
Scheduled Replication Configurations
Replicate The Entire Disk Storage
When the "Entire Disk Storage" is selected for Replication, only newly added backup sets will be replicated.
EXAMPLE:
If a Disk Storage has 500 GB of data that was already replicated, and a backup job added another 200 GB of backup data,
then only the newly added 200 GB of data will be replicated.
Replicate > When To Replicate > Scheduled Cloud Storage
Click "Add A Scheduled Cloud Replication" to access the setup wizard
Choose a Name for the Replication Job. A good naming convention is to use the Disk Storage name to be replicated.
Click "Next"
Select a Replication Policy * Monthly (default) * Weekly * Daily
Click on "Switch to Export Mode" to view more options and all default settings
Click on "Switch to Easy Mode" to return to the default setting
Modify the "Repeat" (Start) Time as needed
Check the "Set a Retention Time" box to apply a retention time to the Replicated Data. Replicated data that reaches the retention time will be purged from the Cloud Storage Server Default = 7 Days
Click "Next"
The default state of all Scheduled job created is "Active". Uncheck this box if you do not wish for the Scheduled Replication Job to be active after creation.
Select "What To Replicate" from the Drop Down box
Leave the "Replicate The Whole DiskStorage" option checked Default = Checked
Select the Cloud Storage Connection to use for Replicating Data from the drop down menu Guest Accounts are (Read-Only) and will not be displayed.
Click "Done"
Replicate A Specific Savepack
When the "Specific Savepack" is selected for Replication, only newly added backup sets of the selected Savepack will be replicated.
Replicate > When To Replicate > Scheduled Cloud Storage
Click "Add A Scheduled Cloud Replication" to access the setup wizard
Choose a Name for the Replication Job. A good naming convention is to use the Savepack name to be replicated.
Click "Next"
Select a Replication Policy * Monthly (default) * Weekly * Daily
Click on "Switch to Export Mode" to view more options and all default settings
Click on "Switch to Easy Mode" to return to the default setting
Modify the "Repeat" (Start) Time as needed
Check the "Set a Retention Time" box to apply a retention time to the Replicated Data. Replicated data that reaches the retention time will be purged from the Cloud Storage Server Default = 7 Days
Click "Next"
The default state of all Scheduled job created is "Active". Uncheck this box if you do not wish for the Scheduled Replication Job to be active after creation.
Select the Disk Storage hosting the Savepack from the "What To Replicate" Drop Down box
UNCHECK the "Replicate The Whole DiskStorage" option to access the Savepack Menu Default = Checked
Select the Savepack(s) to be replicated from the selected Disk Storage
Select the Cloud Storage Connection to use for Replicating Data from the drop down menu Guest Accounts are (Read-Only) and will not be displayed.
Click "Done"
Replicated Data Recovery
All data currently Replicated to the Cloud Storage Server can be recovered.
Both Normal and Guest Account Types on the Backup Server(s) can recovery Replicated Data from the Cloud Storage machine.
Remote data that is already stored in a local Disk Storage, will not be transferred.
There is generally no use in recovering data which is already available locally (an exception to that is a case of local data corruption).
Replicated Data is normally recovered when:
- local data has expired and thus has been automatically recycled
- local data has been manually recycled to free up Disk Storage space.
- local data has been accidentally removed or corrupted.
- a guest backup server is recovering replicated data from a "Shared" and "Active" Account
There are a few "Prerequisites" Required before data can be recovered:
- A Disk Storage large enough to host the Recovered Data must be created.
- A Normal or Guest account must be created and a connection verified.
Restore
Select "Restore Cloud Replications"
Click "Next"
Click on the "Account Name" to expand the options
Select the "Disk Storage" to Recover * Notice "Target Disk 2" Size equals 0 because all local data has been recycled * Notice "Target Disk 2" Replicated Size is equals 291.2 MB because data exists on the Cloud Storage * Notice "Target Disk 2" has the "<-" "Start An Immediate Recovery" icon
Click the "Zoom" icon to see the Savepack and Backup details to be Recovered
Click the "<-" icon to Start an Immediate Recovery
