Feature request: be able to replicate the Replication Server

Talos · Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Posts: 7

As you know StoreGrid can be deployed in two ways:
1. Direct Remote Backup over the Internet;
2. Backup 'on-premise' and Replicate to Remote location.

In the first way the client's data is usually in three different buildings: Client; StoreGrid Backup Server Cluster; and StoreGrid Replication Server Cluster.
In the second way the client's data is in two different buildings: Client; and StoreGrid Replication Server Cluster.

It would be better for everyone if we could replicate the Replication Server Cluster, this way the client's data would be in three different buildings. StoreGrid would not loose any sale; and it would be benefitial to the StoreGrid Service Providers.

kshama · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 874

Hi Talos,

We agree with you. Replication of replication server feature will be very useful to provide multi-level staged backups. In fact quite a few of our partners have already requested for it. It is definitely in our roadmap.

We'll surely give it a serious look after the 3.1 release.

Thanks for your feedback.

Regards
Kshama
Vembu Technologies

intrikrakin · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Why not just make the primary server a one to many?

kshama · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 874

Hi intrikrakin,

We could possibly add the feature where the backup server could replicate to multiple replication servers but that would mean that the backup server does all the work, which could affect the scalability of the backup server. By supporting replication of replication servers, the load is distributed to multiple servers.

Another reason is that we have several partners who run the backup server onsite in the customer's network and the backup server replicating to multiple replication servers would be that much more bandwidth usage on the customer's network.

Regards
Kshama
Vembu Technologies

martyn.pearson · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 3

I would just like to say, i would really like to see this asap!

The main reason is this. If we have clients that backup to a remote backup server. And the service provider is replicating to a replication server. I would like to be able to then replicate to a local replication server in our office, taking advantage of download speeds. Then we could do a quick restore, even if we dont have access to our hosting provider, as we would have a local copy.

intrikrakin · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Martyn, we have solved this issue of being able to replicate the replication server using some great 3rd party software.

It is multi-threaded so it will max out any upload speed you have. The licenses are kinda expensive so we tell our customers interested in going this route that they should have about 2-3TB+ before it makes it economical.

martyn.pearson · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 3

Hi intrikrakin,

Im not sure i would consider it the solution, its good for partners with that much data. But what about startups?

Theres lots of software that can watch a directory and copy that contents on schedule. Whats special about the product you have chosen? What is the product and is this technique officially supported / viable?

Thanks for your help