Configuring and using RDA with OST
This topic introduces key RDA with OST tasks and provides links to other related topics that contain procedures that describe how to perform these tasks:
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NOTE: This capability to use RDA with OST, also known as DR Rapid, adds tighter integration with backup software applications, such as the following OpenStorage-enabled backup applications: NetBackup and Backup Exec. |
OpenStorage Technology (OST) provides the logical disk interface that can be used with network storage devices, and the DR Series system appliance requires RDA with OST plug-in software to integrate its data storage operations with supported data management applications (DMAs). For details on the applications supported, see the DR Series System Interoperability Guide.
The DR Series system integrates with supported DMAs using the RDA with OST plug-in, through which DMAs can control when backup images are created, duplicated, and deleted. Via the plug-in, the DMAs can take full advantage of key DR Series system features like replication and data deduplication.
The DR Series system accesses the OpenStorage API code through the RDA with OST plug-in, which can be installed on the supported media server platform type that you choose (Windows or Linux). When RDA with OST is used with the DR Series system, it offers the following benefits:
- RDA with OST protocol provides faster and improved data transfers:
- Focus is on backups with minimal overhead
- Accommodates larger data transfer sizes
- Provides throughput that is significantly better than CIFS or NFS
- RDA with OST and DMA integration:
- OpenStorage API enables the DMA-to-media server software communication
- DR Series system storage capabilities can be used without extensive changes to DMAs
- Backup and replication operations are simplified by using built-in DMA policies
- DR Series system and RDA with OST ports and write operations:
- Control channel uses TCP port 10011
- Data channel uses TCP port 11000
- Optimized write operations enable client-side deduplication
- Replication operations between DR Series systems:
- No configuration is required on the source or target DR Series system
- Replication is file-based, not container-based
- Replication is triggered by DMA optimized duplication operation
- DR Series system transfers the data file (not the media server)
- Once duplication completes, DR Series system notifies DMA to update its catalog (acknowledging the second backup)
- Supports different retention policies between source and replica
- Replication is set up in the DMA itself, not the DR Series system
For best results, observe the following guidelines for optimal performance with your supported RDA with OST operations with the DR Series system:
- Backup, restore, and optimized duplication operations need to be performed via the RDA with OST plug-in
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NOTE: The RDA with OST plug-in needs to be installed on client systems to support client-side deduplication. |
- Backup:
- Passthrough writes: Passthrough writes are when data is sent from a media server to the DR Series system without applying any optimization to the data.
- Optimized writes: Optimized writes are when data is sent from a media server to the DR Series system after optimization is applied to the data.
- Minimum client memory requirements:
- Minimum number of CPUs — Four (4) cores
- Minimum amount of free physical memory — 4 GB
This topic introduces and briefly defines some basic RDA for OST terminology used throughout the DR Series system documentation.
| BE |
Veritas DMA, Backup Exec (BE) |
| DMA/DPA |
Data Management Application (also known as Data Protection Application), which are terms for the role played by the backup applications used with RDA with OST; for example, Veritas NetBackup or Backup Exec. |
| LSU |
Logical Storage Unit, which from the DR Series system perspective, represents any container created for data storage. LSU is a common storage term while container is a common term in DR Series systems that represents a location for storing data. |
| media server |
This is the host running the DMA media server and is where the RDA with OST plug-in is installed. The RDA with OST plug-in can also be installed on a client. |
| NBU |
Veritas DMA, NetBackup (NBU) |
| OST |
The OpenStorage Technology from Symantec, which allows storage devices to deliver backup and recovery solutions with NetBackup. RDA with OST uses the OpenStorage API and a plug-in installed on either a Linux or a Windows-based media server platform. |
