Oracle Solaris Cluster software supports host-based and storage-based data replication.
Host-based data replication uses software to replicate disk volumes between geographically dispersed clusters in real time. Remote mirror replication enables data from the master volume of the primary cluster to be replicated to the master volume of the geographically dispersed secondary cluster. A remote mirror bitmap tracks differences between the master volume on the primary disk and the master volume on the secondary disk. An example of host-based replication software used for replication between clusters, or between a cluster and a host that is not in a cluster, is the Availability Suite feature of Oracle Solaris.
Host-based data replication is a less expensive data replication solution because it uses host resources, rather than special storage arrays. Databases, applications, or file systems that are configured to allow multiple hosts running the Oracle Solaris OS to write data to a shared volume are not supported, such as Oracle RAC.
For more information about using host-based data replication between two clusters, see Oracle Solaris Cluster Geographic Edition Data Replication Guide for Oracle Solaris Availability Suite.
To see an example of host-based replication that does not use the Oracle Solaris Cluster Geographic Edition framework, see Appendix A, Deployment Example: Configuring Host-Based Data Replication Between Clusters With Availability Suite Software.
Application-based data replication uses an application's built-in mechanisms for replicating application data to maintain synchronized copies of the application on the Geographic Edition partner clusters. Different applications offer a variety of configurations for this setup, which allows an array of options on how to replicate that data and how to use the data on the secondary system.
For more information about using application-based data replication between two or more clusters and the Oracle Solaris Cluster Geographic Edition product that automates the process, see Oracle Solaris Cluster 4.3 Geographic Edition Overview.
Application-based replication is not supported for a campus cluster environment.
Storage-based data replication uses software on the storage controller to move the work of data replication off the cluster nodes and onto the storage device. This software frees some node processing power to serve cluster requests. An example of storage-based software that can replicate data inside a cluster or between clusters is EMC SRDF. Storage-based data replication can be especially important in campus cluster configurations and can simplify the infrastructure required.
For more information about using storage-based data replication in a campus cluster environment, see Using Storage-Based Data Replication Within a Campus Cluster.
For more information about using storage-based replication between two or more clusters and the Oracle Solaris Cluster Geographic Edition product that automates the process, see Oracle Solaris Cluster 4.3 Geographic Edition Overview.