Installing and configuring the Data Domain system with the DCA

Post date: Oct 07, 2013 2:57:16 AM

Overview

Data Domain storage systems integrate seamlessly into existing DCA deployments. Data Domain system storage can be exported as NFS shares that can easily be

mounted on the DCA GPDB and Greenplum HD Servers and utilized as a backup target. With Greenplum Database support for DD Boost, the Data Domain system also integrates easily in this case. Depending on the DCA configuration, other Data Domain system models are also supported, for example, DD670, DD860, and DD990. To determine the correct Data Domain model, your local Backup and Recovery Specialist (BRS) should complete a sizing exercise. For reference information on compatibility matrices, visit the Data Domain Support Portal my.data domain.com. Although the DD990 would also have been suitable, the DD890 was used in this

solution. Connectivity to the DCA was via NFS or using Data Domain Boost—both configurations were tested.

Installing the Data Domain system

Install the Data Domain hardware, including a system console, as described in the Data Domain Installation and Setup Guide, which is shipped with the Data Domain

system. The Installation and Setup Guide provides instructions for installing the Data Domain system, connecting it to an administrative console, and powering it on. After completing the installation and powering on the system, refer to the Data Domain Operating System (DD OS)Initial Configuration Guide for additional information.

Configuring the Data Domain System

When the installation is complete, the Data Domain Configuration Wizard starts automatically. The Configuration Wizard performs an “initial” configuration of the

Data Domain system, configuring only what is needed for the most basic system setup, including licenses, network, file system, CIFS, and NFS. For more information about using the Configuration Wizard and changing or updating the configuration, refer to the Data Domain Operating System (DD OS)Initial Configuration Guide.

Data Domain and DCA connectivity

Two options are available when connecting the Data Domain system to the DCA:

on both the DCA Interconnect switches. A separate switch can then be connected to increase the connectivity options. In this case, if Ports 18 and 19 are not configured in a link aggregation group (LAG), they will act as independent links and can be configured for active or passive redundancy. 

Note By default, Ports 18 and 19 are set up in a two-port link aggregation. To convert Ports 18 and 19 to switch ports, refer to the Supporting information section.

A VLAN overlay can also be used to separate network traffic from the DCA internal network. For more information on the DCA physical connectivity options and setting up a VLAN overlay, see:

For this solution, the connection was made using two Multi-Mode Fibre (MMF) cables through optical Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) devices, as shown in Table 8.

Table 8. DCA and Data Domain connectivity

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DCA Interconnect Bus                                     Data Domain system interface

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i-sw-1, Port 19                                                 Slot 4, Port 1/eth4a

i-sw-2, Port 19                                                 Slot 4, Port 2/eth4b

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The hardware used for this connectivity option is listed in Table 9.

Table 9. Hardware used for DCA and Data Domain connectivity

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Hardware                                 Part number                                     Quantity

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Data Domain:10GbE card         C-10G-L2PO                                         1

10GbE SFP                             BRSFP-10GSW1P                               2

OM3 multimode optical cable    CTX-OM3-10M                                      2

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A connectivity kit that consists of the cables and required SFPs is also available under part number DCA1-10GB EXT. Depending on distance, connectivity can be provided through either MMF cables and optical SFP, or twin-ax cables. For more information about options and internal connectivity, refer to the white paper EMC Greenplum Data Computing Appliance: Architecture, Performance and Functions—A Detailed Review.