Active-Passive Metro Cluster Replication Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-site storage systems, such as metro clusters, often require either active-active bidirectional replication for high availability and disaster recovery or single-direction synchronous replication, but lack the flexibility to configure between these modes, which can limit their applicability to various use cases and file systems that require no data loss and near-zero recovery time objectives.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an active-passive synchronous remote replication mode in a metro cluster, where one storage array is active and services host I/O while the other is passive without write access, allowing for bidirectional write I/O mirroring from the active to the passive array, enabling configuration for both active-active and single-direction replication scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active-active bidirectional replication is implemented, then high availability and disaster recovery are achieved, but flexibility for various use cases is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between active-active and active-passive replication modes based on operational needs. The first site can be configured as active with bidirectional replication, while the second site can be switched between active and passive states, allowing the system to adapt to different use cases including disaster recovery, resource balancing, and storage migration scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The replication configuration parameters are changed to enable flexibility. By modifying the operational state parameter of the second site (from active to passive) while maintaining bidirectional replication capability, the system achieves different operational modes. This parameter change allows the same infrastructure to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate systems.
2Reliability
If single-direction synchronous replication is implemented, then data protection is achieved, but applicability to various use cases is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides multi-functionality by enabling a single replication infrastructure to serve multiple purposes. The bidirectional replication capability with configurable active/passive states allows the system to handle disaster recovery, resource balancing, storage migration, and various file system requirements all through the same architecture, making it universally applicable across different use cases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If active-passive configuration is implemented, then flexibility for different replication needs is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses asymmetric configuration where the first site is consistently active while the second site can be passive or active. This asymmetric design simplifies the complexity by establishing a clear primary site while allowing the secondary site to be configured based on needs, rather than requiring symmetric active-active configurations at all times.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an example methodology implementing the disclosed techniques includes creating, by a first site of a volume that supports active-active bidirectional replication, a local copy of the volume, the local copy of the volume configured to be active. The method also includes enabling, by the first site of the volume, bidirectional write input/output (I/O) mirroring with a second site of the volume. The method further includes, by the second site of the volume, creating a remote copy of the volume, the remote copy of the volume configured to be passive, and enabling bidirectional write I/O mirroring with the first site of the volume.