Performing Manual Transfer Replication

The first replication of a volume is a complete transfer of volume data from the primary group to the secondary group. Subsequent replication operations transfer only the volume changes since the last replication.

Normally, all data transfers occur over the network. However, if you have a lot of data to transfer for the first replication and a slow network link between the partners, you can use manual transfer replication to perform the first replication.

With manual transfer replication, you create a replica as usual. However, instead of the data transfer occurring immediately over the network, a temporary snapshot is created on the primary group, and a replica set and replica placeholder is created on the secondary group.

You then use the Manual Transfer Utility to connect to the temporary snapshot and copy the volume data to one or more transfer files. After the data is transferred to external media (for example, a CD–ROM), you use the Manual Transfer Utility to load the data into the replica set on the secondary group. Once you confirm that the manual transfer process is complete, the next replication will proceed as usual over the network.

There are two interfaces to the Manual Transfer Utility:

• Graphical user interface (GUI) that runs on Microsoft Windows through the Group Manager GUI. On Windows systems, the GUI is the recommended method of performing manual transfer replication.
• Interactive command line interface (CLI) that runs on Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems. If you attempted to use the GUI and received an error message, you must use the CLI. You can also use the CLI for scripting.

For installation information, see Installing the Manual Transfer Utility .

To use the GUI, see Using the Manual Transfer Utility GUI.

To use the CLI, see Using the Manual Transfer Utility CLI.

Note: Manual replication requires you to create an image copy of the volume for transport purposes. If you do not use the Manual Transfer Utility to perform manual transfer replication, you must use a raw data backup method. You cannot use a file-based backup method.

For UNIX operating systems, you can use a utility like dd. You can also use backup software that creates a mirror image of the volume. Multiple backup vendors provide software that can create image copies.

When using a raw data backup method to perform manual replication, follow the general instructions for using the CLI version of the Manual Transfer Utility. For example, you must create the correct access controls and confirm when the transfer is complete.