Replication capabilities are integrated into the ReadyDATA, and you do not need to install a replication add-on. You can enable replication with the simple click of a button. However, you do need to access the NETGEAR ReadyDATA Replicate™ software application so you can use its centralized management console to configure the replication settings. For more information on accessing the ReadyDATA Replicate application, see the How can I access the ReadyDATA replicate application and use it with my ReadyDATA storage system?
ReadyDATA Replicate supports two types of replication:
- Periodic replication
This type of replication is driven by the clock. Data is replicated periodically, from once per hour to once per month, based on how you schedule replication. This configuration collects changes that occur over the selected time period and replicates them in line with the replication schedule.
- Continuous replication
This type of replication is driven by activity at the source system. Data is replicated to the destination device constantly. Whenever new blocks are written on the source system, they are immediately sent to the destination system. In the event of a disaster the most current data possible is in a secondary location. For optimum protection, use constant replication rather than periodic replication.
You can configure replication only per individual share or LUN, that is, you cannot configure replication at the system level. You select a share or LUN as the source of the replication, and a volume on the remote system as the destination for the replication.
The replication process leverages the information that is contained in special hidden snapshots to minimize the time it takes to determine what block-based data needs to be moved between the systems. These hidden snapshots are not the same as the regular snapshots that you create manually or set up to be created automatically.
Replication of an incomplete hidden snapshot resumes from the point where it failed, that is, if a 200-MB snapshot fails to replicate at 90 percent completion, replication resumes at 90 percent completion to replicate the remaining 20 MB.
If you do not use an explicit destination IP address, data that is replicated over the Internet is automatically encrypted for increased safety.
The replication status is reported at both the source and the destination systems in a replication relationship, and includes the age of the snapshot that is transferred and the size of the data that is transferred. For example, if a 50-MB snapshot was created 20 seconds before being transferred to a remote system as part of replication, the status that is reported is Target is 50 MB / 20 seconds behind source, or a similar status message.
For more information, see the white paper Building Backup-to-Disk and Disaster Recovery Solutions with the ReadyDATA 5200 that is available from the ReadyDATA website at www.netgear.com/readydata.