10 HPE Nimble Replication Best Practices

HPE Nimble Storage replication is a powerful tool for protecting data and ensuring business continuity. It enables organizations to replicate data between two or more HPE Nimble Storage arrays, either within the same data center or across multiple sites.

In this article, we will discuss 10 best practices for using HPE Nimble Storage replication. We will cover topics such as replication frequency, data protection, and disaster recovery. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure.

1. Use the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM)

NCM is a software-based solution that simplifies the process of setting up and managing replication between two or more Nimble Storage arrays.

NCM automates many of the manual steps required to configure, monitor, and manage replication jobs. It also provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for configuring and monitoring replication jobs. This makes it easier to set up and maintain replication jobs, which can save time and reduce errors.

Using NCM also helps ensure that your replication jobs are configured correctly and running optimally. With its built-in health checks and alerts, you can quickly identify any issues with your replication jobs and take corrective action before they become major problems.

2. Create a separate volume for each host

Having a separate volume for each host allows you to easily manage the replication process. You can set up different replication schedules and policies for each host, which makes it easier to keep track of your data backups. Additionally, having a separate volume for each host ensures that any changes made on one host won’t affect the other hosts. This helps prevent data corruption or loss due to accidental overwrites. Finally, having a separate volume for each host also makes it easier to troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the replication process.

3. Use iSCSI instead of FC

iSCSI is a much more cost-effective solution than FC, as it requires less hardware and fewer cables. Additionally, iSCSI has better performance than FC, with higher throughput and lower latency. Finally, iSCSI is easier to manage than FC, as it can be managed from the same interface as other storage solutions. All of these factors make iSCSI the preferred choice for HPE Nimble Replication.

4. Don’t use multipathing software

Multipathing software can cause issues with the replication process, as it can interfere with the data flow between the source and destination arrays. This can lead to inconsistent performance or even complete failure of the replication process.

To avoid this issue, HPE recommends that you use only one path for each replication job. If your environment requires multiple paths, then you should configure them in a failover configuration so that if one path fails, the other will take over. Additionally, make sure that all paths are configured correctly and have the same settings.

5. Make sure you have enough bandwidth

HPE Nimble Replication requires a certain amount of bandwidth to ensure that data is replicated quickly and accurately. If you don’t have enough bandwidth, the replication process will be slow and unreliable. This can lead to data loss or corruption if the connection drops during the replication process.

To make sure you have enough bandwidth for HPE Nimble Replication, it’s important to monitor your network traffic and adjust your bandwidth accordingly. You should also consider using compression techniques to reduce the size of the data being transferred. Finally, make sure you are using the most efficient protocols available for your environment.

6. Replicate to an array that is not in the same data center

Having a remote replication target ensures that your data is safe in the event of an outage or disaster. If something happens to one data center, you can quickly failover to the other and keep operations running without interruption. This also helps with compliance requirements as it allows for offsite backups and secure storage of sensitive data.

Additionally, having a remote replication target gives you more flexibility when it comes to scaling up or down. You can easily add additional capacity by replicating to another array, or reduce costs by removing redundant copies of data.

7. Use multiple replication targets

Having multiple replication targets ensures that your data is safe and secure in the event of a disaster. If one target fails, you can quickly switch to another without any disruption or loss of data. Additionally, having multiple targets allows for more efficient use of resources since each target can be used for different purposes. For example, one target could be used for testing while another is used for production. This helps ensure that all of your data is backed up and available when needed.

8. Limit the number of volumes per group

When you have too many volumes in a group, the replication process can become slow and inefficient. This is because each volume needs to be replicated individually, which takes time and resources. By limiting the number of volumes per group, you can ensure that your replication process runs smoothly and efficiently.

Additionally, having fewer volumes per group makes it easier to manage and monitor the replication process. You’ll be able to quickly identify any issues or problems with specific volumes, as well as make changes to the configuration if needed.

9. Consider using asynchronous replication

Asynchronous replication allows for data to be replicated over a wide area network (WAN) without the need for expensive dedicated links. This can help reduce costs and improve performance, as well as provide an extra layer of protection against outages or disasters.

Additionally, asynchronous replication is more flexible than synchronous replication, allowing you to replicate data between different storage systems, such as HPE Nimble Storage and other vendors’ products. This makes it easier to move data between sites in case of disaster recovery scenarios. Finally, asynchronous replication also provides better scalability, since it doesn’t require dedicated bandwidth between sites.

10. Test your disaster recovery plan

Testing your disaster recovery plan ensures that you have a reliable and effective backup system in place. It also allows you to identify any potential issues or gaps in the process before they become an issue during an actual disaster. Testing can help you determine if your data is being backed up correctly, if it’s being replicated properly, and if the recovery process works as expected.

By testing your disaster recovery plan regularly, you can ensure that your business is prepared for any eventuality. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your data is safe and secure, and that you’re ready to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster.