The configuration of the Dell PowerFlex Storage Replication Adapter is performed through the Array Managers wizard in VMware SRM. The wizard should be invoked only after the connection between the VMware SRM servers at the protected site and recovery site has been established and the PowerFlex replication setup is complete.
Before protection groups or recovery plans can be configured, an array manager must be configured for each instance of the PowerFlex SRA to provide connectivity information for device discovery. These array managers are seen as local and remote. Note that because SRM supports bi-directional replication, these terms are entirely dependent on where the source volume resides.
As there is a single PowerFlex SRA for both version 3 and 4, the wizard is only covered once. Any differences between the platforms are described in detail later in this document. The following steps assume that the user is familiar with the SRM interface.
- Navigate to Site Pair > Configure > Array Pairs in SRM. Select ADD in the right-hand panel as shown in Figure 49.
Figure 49. Add array pair - step 1
- In the second step as shown in Figure 50, select the PowerFlex SRA and then click NEXT.
Figure 50. Add array pair - step 2
- Next, add the local and remote managers. Provide a name for the local array manager (source PowerFlex), being sure to use an identifying name, enter in the IP of either the PowerFlex Gateway for PowerFlex 3 or the PowerFlex GUI for PowerFlex 4, and the username admin and its password. Select NEXT and repeat this process for the remote array manager (target PowerFlex). This is shown in Figure 51.
Figure 51. Add array pair - step 3
- The SRM discovers any peered PowerFlex clusters and displays them, as shown in Figure 52. The wizard automatically checks the box for the appropriate pair of arrays (one or more). Once a pair has been successfully enabled for one array manager, that pair is enabled on the other respective array manager. It is important to note that these array pairs must be enabled (default) in order to discover devices from them.
Note: PowerFlex 3 and 4 array pairs can exist in the same SRM environment as shown in Figure 54.
Figure 52. Add array pair - step 4
- Review the final summary and select FINISH.
Figure 53. Add array pair - step 5
- If no array pairs are displayed, check that the PowerFlex clusters are properly peered. After the pairs are enabled, SRM automatically discovers any devices on the arrays. An example is shown in Figure 54 where both a PowerFlex 3 and 4 are configured.
Figure 54. Device discovery - step 6
When device discovery is complete, the user can create protection groups and recovery plans.