Metro node is an external hardware and software add-on feature for PowerStore. It provides for active/active synchronous replication as well as standard local use cases. It also provides a solution locally, with the local mirror feature to protect data from a potential array failure. Both use cases provide solutions for continuous availability with zero downtime.
Metro node can also be used in a three-site configuration. Customers can leverage metro node for synchronous replication between sites A and B. They can also add asynchronous replication between sites B and C.
PowerStore is viewed by metro node as ALUA array based on SCSI response data and therefore is required to follow the four active, four passive path connectivity rules. This rule states that both nodes of the metro node must each have four active and four passive paths to all volumes provisioned from the array.
Array-based copy technologies are feature-rich, mature, robust, scalable, and purpose-built to provide enterprise-class replication services. Deploying VPLEX or metro node with storage frames does not diminish the function or value of array-based copy technologies. Underlying storage devices are left untouched by VPLEX or metro node, and the array replication technologies can continue to provide backup, business continuity, operational recovery, QA, or testing and development functionality.
For more information about metro node, see the following white papers:
