The full sync operation process, as shown in Figure 11, is as follows:
- PowerProtect Data Manager issues a full sync request. This request includes all required parameters such as VM information, disk inclusion details, and disk exclusion details.
- PowerProtect Data Manager queries vCenter to locate the relevant ESXi host, and the operation is transferred to the ESXi host.
- The ESXi host synchronizes with the TSDM component, leverages VAIO, and makes TSDM aware that a full sync should be performed on the specific asset.
- The TSDM first uses VAIO to read and query the allocated areas of the disks. After resolving the allocated areas, the TSDM starts to read the data.
- The TSDM also uses the DD Boost library to establish a connection to the PowerProtect appliance. Empty files are created in the secondary storage (each file corresponding to the flat VMDK file of the VM asset), and the data transfer begins. Eventually, all allocated areas are transferred and written to the PowerProtect appliance.
- When the full sync operation is complete, the TSDM sends an acknowledgment to the ESXi host. vCenter marks the task as complete.
Figure 11. Full sync operation
Note: Because files created during the full sync flow are inconsistent, you cannot use them to restore the VM to a consistent point in time. During the full sync flow, the VM still serves I/O operations, and data in disks might change during the full sync operation itself. A delta sync operation must be performed right after the full sync operation, which creates a consistent point-in-time copy that can be used later for a restore operation.