Home > Storage > PowerStore > Databases and Data Analytics > Dell PowerStore Metro Node with Oracle > AppSync
Adding to the snapshot and replication abilities of PowerStore, Dell Technologies offers data-protection software that integrates with the PowerStore metro node. Dell AppSync is optional software that can be used to enhance the overall application protection and simplify administration and orchestration of snaps and thin clones used in PowerStore metro node.
AppSync is software that enables integrated Copy Data Management (iCDM) with Dell primary storage systems, including PowerStore. It supports many applications, including Oracle, and storage replication technologies. For the latest support information, see the AppSync Support Matrix at the Dell EMC E-lab Navigator.
AppSync simplifies and automates the process of creating and using snapshots of production data. By abstracting the underlying storage and replication technologies, and through application integration, AppSync allows application owners to manage data-copy needs themselves. The storage administrator only needs to be concerned with initial setup and policy management, resulting in a more agile environment.
With metro node, the metro node appliance is registered with AppSync, and AppSync discovers the backend arrays. AppSync does all the verification checking and orchestration of ensuring all prerequisites are fulfilled on both backend PowerStore arrays. This automation occurs for both taking a snapshot and creating and exposing the thin clones for restorations or recoveries. Using AppSync in a metro node environment will introduce greater efficiencies and will reduce the number of steps and time in creating and exposing the thin clone volumes.
The recommendations and requirements of AppSync and Oracle ASM disk groups in PowerStore, apply to PowerStore metro node. For additional information about AppSync, see References.
If AppSync will not be used, it is not necessary to use the guideline for using AppSync with Oracle, but it is recommended. Reconfiguring PowerStore volume groups after snapshots have been taken on them, will change how the snapshots are managed and used. See PowerStore documentation for more information.