Home > Storage > PowerMax and VMAX > Storage Admin > Implementing Dell SRDF SRA with VMware SRM > Introduction
VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager (SRM)[1] leverages storage array-based replication such as Dell® Symmetrix® Remote Data Facility (SRDF®) to protect virtual machines in VMware vSphere environments. The interaction between VMware SRM and storage array replication (SRA) is governed through a well-defined set of specifications. These VMware-defined specifications are implemented by the storage array vendor as a lightweight application referred to as the storage replication adapter.
Dell SRDF Adapter[2] is an SRA that enables VMware SRM to interact with a Dell storage environment. It allows VMware SRM to automate storage-based disaster restart operations on VMAX/PowerMax arrays in an SRDF configuration. The SRDF Adapter for SRM supports SRDF/Synchronous, SRDF/Asynchronous, SRDF/Metro, Concurrent SRDF, Cascaded SRDF and SRDF/Star (Concurrent/Cascaded) modes of operation, depending on the SRA version and array.
Note: Unless otherwise specified, the term VMAX will refer to the VMAX3 and the VMAX All Flash arrays in this book. PowerMax will refer to all models of that platform. The term Symmetrix will still be used for products that retain that name (e.g., SRDF).
Note: This book assumes the reader has, at a minimum, general knowledge of the VMAX/PowerMax arrays and VMware SRM. For in-depth information refer to VMware documentation on www.vmware.com.
Note: As of VMware SRM 8.3, VMware supports the use of VMware Virtual Volumes (vVols). Details of vVols with SRM are covered in a separate whitepaper named Using VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes 2.0 and VASA 3.0 with Dell PowerMax.
[1] In this book, VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager will be shortened to VMware vCenter SRM, VMware SRM, or simply SRM for the sake of brevity. Any reference to SRM in this book will be VMware’s, not Dell Storage Resource Manager.
[2] In this book, the Dell SRDF SRA will be shortened to SRDF SRA or even simply SRA for the sake of brevity.