Defining a replication storage rule

You can define a storage rule to implement replication, which copies data from a source replication server to a target replication server. When the storage rule is active, eligible data is replicated daily. By using a replication storage rule, you help to support disaster recovery and data availability if the source replication server becomes unavailable.

Before you begin

  1. Review the following restrictions:
    • You can configure a single target replication server with a source replication server by using a replication storage rule. To configure multiple target replication servers, you must define multiple replication storage rules.
    • You cannot define more than three unique target replication servers across all active and inactive replication storage rules.
    • You cannot define more than two unique target replication servers across all active replication storage rules.
    • Ensure that the source and target replication servers have the same version of IBM Spectrum® Protect software installed. The minimum version is 8.1.13.
    • The TRANSFERMETHOD=FASP parameter value is allowed only on Linux®® x86_64 operating systems.
  2. Ensure that server-to-server communication is defined for the target replication server by using the DEFINE SERVER command. For more information, see DEFINE SERVER (Define a server for server-to-server communications).
  3. Ensure that replication is enabled for the client node whose data you want to replicate. To enable replication for a node, use the UPDATE NODE command and set the REPLSTATE=ENABLED parameter value. For more information, see UPDATE NODE (Update node attributes).

Procedure

To define a replication storage rule, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Operations Center menu bar, click Storage > Storage Rules.
  2. On the Storage Rules page, click +Create Rule.
  3. From the Rule type list on the Create Rule page, select Replication.
  4. On the Create Rule page, complete the remaining fields.
  5. Click Create.
    Tip: Alternatively, you can define a replication storage rule by using the DEFINE STGRULE command and specifying the ACTIONTYPE=REPLICATE parameter value. For more information, see DEFINE STGRULE (Define a storage rule for replicating data).

Results

The replication storage rule is defined. By default, the replication storage rule is inactive. If you set the replication storage rule as active, replication processing is started for data from all eligible nodes within 5 minutes of the time that is specified by the STARTTIME parameter value. If you want to add exceptions to the replication operation, define subrules before you activate the replication storage rule. If you run an active replication storage rule with a parameter value of ACTIONTYPE=REPLICATE before you configure subrules, all eligible data on the source replication server is replicated to the target replication server.

What to do next

Optionally, take one or more of the following actions:
  • To specify exceptions to the replication storage rule, define one or more subrules. Follow the instructions in Defining a replication subrule.
  • When you are ready to activate the replication storage rule, in the Operations Center, click Storage > Storage Rules. Double-click the rule. On the Properties tab, click Modify > Active > Save.
    Tip: Alternatively, activate the storage rule by issuing the UPDATE STGRULE command and specifying the ACTIVE=YES parameter value.
  • To modify the replication storage rule, use the UPDATE STGRULE command.
  • To query the replication storage rule, use the QUERY STGRULE command.
  • To query jobs that are related to storage rules, use the QUERY JOB command.
  • To delete the replication storage rule, use the DELETE STGRULE command.