How to synchronize a replica
Published : April 8, 2005 | Updated : August 17, 2005
DPM provides two methods for synchronizing a replica: incremental synchronization and synchronization with consistency check. Incremental synchronization (also referred to as synchronization) transfers the changes to protected data from the file server to the DPM server and then applies the changes to the replica. Synchronization with consistency check (also referred to as a consistency check) transfers the data changes from the protected file server to the DPM server but also performs block-by-block verification to ensure that all the data on the replica is consistent with the protected data.
For more information about synchronization methods, see What is synchronization?
Automatic synchronization
DPM automatically performs synchronization at the times specified in the protection schedule. DPM automatically performs a consistency check when creating a replica, when new members are added to a protection group, and once each day when the option to schedule a daily consistency check is enabled.
Manual synchronization
There are times when you may need to manually synchronize a replica including:
Before you create an immediate shadow copy
You can manually synchronize a replica before you create an immediate shadow copy to ensure that you are getting the latest possible shadow copy. For this purpose, choose incremental synchronization.
When a replica becomes inconsistent
If the option to perform a daily consistency check is not enabled, you must perform a manual consistency check when a replica becomes inconsistent due to an overflow of the synchronization log or an unexpected shutdown of the file server. All synchronization and shadow copy jobs will fail until the replica is made consistent by performing a consistency check.
When you create a replica from a backup, rather than over the network
When you manually create a replica from tape or other removable media rather than over the network, you must perform a consistency check before data protection can begin.
When you make configuration changes to a protected file server
You can manually synchronize the replicas associated with the file server to ensure that you have a way to restore the data on the file server to its previous state.
To manually synchronize a replica
In DPM Administrator Console, click Protection on the navigation bar.
In the Display pane, select the replica that you want to synchronize.
In the Actions pane, click Synchronize.
In the Synchronize dialog box, select a synchronization method: Incremental synchronization or Synchronization with consistency check.
Caution
Performing synchronization with consistency check can affect file server and network performance. Select times that will have the least impact on daily production.
Click Begin Synchronization.