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Creating a high availability solution for SQL Server often requires a copy of the data on another storage device and synchronizing that data in some manner. Dell Unity XT replication provides data synchronization between Dell Unity XT systems. Data is replicated at the consistency group or at the LUN level allowing a choice of replication settings on a per-volume basis. Using Dell Unity XT replication can be an effective way to protect SQL Server databases due to the flexibility and configuration options that it provides. The variety of options provide a robust way to develop a replication scheme that provides the proper mix of performance and bandwidth efficiency while still meeting RTO and RPO requirements.
SQL Server databases consist of a set of one or more datafiles and one or more transaction log files that can be distributed across one or more volumes. When using Dell Unity XT replication to protect SQL Server databases that are on multiple volumes, contain all data and log volumes for a database within a single consistency group or file system. Replication is configured on the consistency group or file system which can contain volumes or shares for more than one database. Databases that require different replication settings will need to be on separate LUNs, consistency groups, or file systems.
When replicating volumes for SQL Server database protection, only replicate the volumes required for the user databases and ensure only those database files exist on replicated volumes. In addition, there is no need to replicate the tempdb database as it is used for temporary workspace only and is rebuilt when SQL Server is restarted. Carefully selecting which volumes to replicate and the contents of those volumes will eliminate unnecessary replication traffic.
In addition to Dell Unity XT replication features, SQL Server also contains various methods of data replication such as its own replication types and Always On Availability Group features as well as asynchronous and synchronous modes.