Comments on: A Few SRM Discussion Points

By: slowe

slowe — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:12:52 +0000

Charles,

SRM doesn’t use array replication technologies such as SnapMirror, but it does REQUIRE them. It’s a subtle distinction, yes, but an important one. SRM was built to take advantage of existing array replication topologies, not to create or manage them.

As for the rest of your questions, the answer is: “It depends.” There are far too many variables to be able to tell you which flavor of SnapMirror you should be using. I can tell you that for many customers, async SnapMirror over IP is sufficient.

By: Charles Tyler

Charles Tyler — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:58:23 +0000

SRM uses NetApp SnapMirror. Is typical async SnapMirror enough? Or do I change to sync? Also what about IP vs. FC? Do I need the FC SnapMirror card NetApp sells for this?

By: Danny Meeks

Danny Meeks — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:30:08 +0000

Mikhail,
It depends if protection will be bi-directional or only 1 way. There are some bundles available that make the pricing attractive.

Here’s a clip from the public FAQ:
Q: What licenses are required to deploy Site Recovery Manager?
A: The following licenses must be available:
• Two VirtualCenter Server licenses (one at each site).
• VMware Infrastructure licenses for the servers at the primary and recovery sites.
• Site Recovery Manager licenses for the hosts running protected virtual machines at each site.
Q: Does the customer need to license both sites (production and recovery site) for Site Recovery
Manager?
A: Site Recovery Manager licenses need to be purchased for each host that is running virtual machines
protected by Site Recovery Manager. In the case where protection is in a single direction only, Site
Recovery Manager licenses only need to be purchased for the hosts at the primary site. In the case
where protection is bidirectional (i.e. virtual machines at Site 1 fail over to Site 2 and virtual machines at
Site 2 fail over to Site 1), Site Recovery Manager licenses need to be purchased for the protected hosts
at both sites.

By: Mikhail

Mikhail — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:59:06 +0000

What about licensing?
If we have 2 datacenters, but uses only one before crash, need we second pack of VI3 liceses?

By: Krishna

Krishna — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:20:11 +0000

I thought SRA stood for Storage Replication Adapter? I had the opportunity to test couple of the SRAs and am currently working on a guide for it. SRM is definitely an interesting product and I look forward to reading others’ thoughts on it.

By: slowe

slowe — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:44:05 +0000

Excellent information, Danny. Thanks!

By: Danny Meeks

Danny Meeks — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:35:05 +0000

Hi Scott,
For your other readers, most everything that you mention here is covered in the SRM essentials modules, which are self-paced, free, web-based training modules. You do have to be a VMW partner with Partner Central access. You can also access these and many others directly within Partner Central by clicking on the training tab at the top. HTH.