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DR Series Software 3.2.6 - Administrator Guide

Introduction to the DR Series System Documentation Understanding the DR Series System Setting Up the DR Series System Hardware Configuring the DR Series System Settings Managing DR Series Storage Operations Monitoring the DR Series System Using Global View Using the DR Series System Support Options Configuring and Using Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS Configuring and Using Rapid Data Access with Dell NetVault Backup and with Dell vRanger Configuring and Using RDA with OST
Understanding RDA with OST Guidelines Terminology Supported RDA with OST Software and Components Best Practices: RDA with OST and the DR Series System Setting Client-Side Optimization Configuring an LSU Installing the RDA with OST Plug-In Configuring DR Series System Information Using NetBackup Backing Up Data From a DR Series System (NetBackup) Using Backup Exec With a DR Series System (Windows) Understanding the OST CLI Commands Understanding RDA with OST Plug-In Diagnostic Logs Collecting Diagnostics Using a Linux Utility Guidelines for Gathering Media Server Information
Configuring and Using VTL Configuring and Using Encryption at Rest Troubleshooting and Maintenance Supported Ports in a DR Series System Getting Help

NVRAM is a field replaceable unit (FRU) in the DR Series system. The super capacitor that powers the NVRAM double-data rate (DDR) memory must be able to move its contents to the solid-state drive (SSD) during a power loss.

This data transfer requires maintaining the power to run the system for 3 minutes of operation (normally, it only takes approximately one minute). If a problem occurs during the data backup to the SSD, the subsequent system reboot detects this. NVRAM can experience backup failure when the following occurs:

•
The NVRAM failed to backup the data during the power shutdown
•
The super capacitor did not maintain sufficient power to backup the DDR contents into the SSD.
•
The NVRAM/SSD encountered an end-of-line (EOL) or another error.

If any of these conditions occur, the NVRAM requires either a failure recovery or a replacement.

 
NOTE: Dell recommends the following supported method for flushing DR Series system data from the NVRAM to the RAID6 before replacing the NVRAM by using either of the following DR Series system CLI commands: system --shutdown or system --reboot.
 
NOTE: If you need to remove or replace the NVRAM in the DR Series system, see Shutting Down the DR Series System and NVRAM Field Replacement.
 
 
Parent topic 

NVRAM Backup Failure Recovery

NVRAM Backup Failure Recovery

After you have physically replaced the NVRAM card in a PCIe x4 (or x8) slot in the DR Series system chassis, you can recover from an NVRAM backup failure by completing the following tasks:

CAUTION: You must wait a minimum of 20 minutes after powering on the DR Series system before using the DR Series system CLI maintenance --hardware --reinit_nvram command. This 20–minute post power-on waiting period allows the NVRAM card, the super capacitor calibration, and all solid state drive (SSD) processes to fully complete, which are necessary for the proper operation of the DR Series system.

During Maintenance mode, the DR Series system determines, detects, and repairs the data loss. During the system reboot process, it ensures that no valuable data remains on the NVRAM.

1.
Enter the following DR Series system CLI command: maintenance --hardware --reinit_nvram.
This formats the SSD and clears all of the backup and restore logs, by reinitializing the NVRAM.
2.
Verify that the DR Series system enters its Maintenance mode.
For more information about replacing the NVRAM, see NVRAM Field Replacement and DR Series System: Proper Shut Down and Start Up.
Parent topic 

NVRAM Field Replacement

NVRAM Field Replacement

Whenever the DR Series system NVRAM is replaced in the field, you must observe this best practice procedure:

CAUTION: You must wait a minimum of 20 minutes after powering on the DR Series system before using the DR Series system CLI command: maintenance --hardware --reinit_nvram. This post power-on waiting period allows the NVRAM card, the super capacitor calibration, and the SSD processes to fully complete, which are necessary for the proper operation of the DR Series system.
 
NOTE: For more information, see DR Series System: Proper Shut Down and Start Up.
1.
Verify that the DR Series system software detects the NVRAM as being new to the system.
2.
Enter the following DR Series system CLI command: maintenance --hardware --reinit_nvram.
This command initializes the NVRAM, creates new partitions, and updates information used internally by the DR Series system software.
3.
Verify that the DR Series system enters its Maintenance mode.
If properly initialized, the DR Series system will automatically enter Maintenance mode. The filesystem checker examines every blockmap and datastore to determine how much data was lost due to the failed NVRAM.
Parent topic 

Configuring and Using Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS

Configuring and Using Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS

Best Practices: Rapid NFS
Best Practices: Rapid CIFS
Setting Client-Side Optimization
Installing the Rapid NFS Plug-In
Installing the Rapid CIFS Plug-In
Determining If Your System Is Using Rapid NFS or Rapid CIFS
Viewing the Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS Logs
Monitoring Performance
Uninstalling the Rapid NFS Plug-In
Uninstalling the Rapid CIFS Plug-In

Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS enable write operation acceleration on clients that use NFS and CIFS file system protocols. Similar to OST and RDS, these accelerators allow for better coordination and integration between DR Series system backup, restore, and optimized duplication operations with Data Management Applications (DMAs) such as CommVault, EMC Networker, and Tivoli Storage Manager. For the current list of supported DMAs, see the Dell DR Series System Interoperability Guide.

Rapid NFS is a new client file system type that ensures that only unique data is written to the DR Series system. It uses user space components and file system in user space (FUSE) to accomplish this. Metadata operations such as file creates and permission changes go through the standard NFS protocol, whereas write operations go through Rapid NFS.

Rapid CIFS is a Windows-certified filter driver that also ensures that only unique data is written to the DR Series system. All chunking and hash computations are done at the client level.

 
NOTE: The supported DMAs listed in the Dell DR Series System Interoperability Guide are the DMAs that have been tested and qualified with Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS. You can use Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS with other DMAs (such as Symantec products), but Dell has not tested and qualified Rapid NFS or Rapid CIFS on those products.
 
 
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