Oracle ODA and ZFS Storage Appliance Join Forces For Data Safety

In our last update we discussed the installation of the Oracle Database Appliance (ODA). Today I am writing to share an update on our latest project milestone, the connection of the ODA to the ZFS storage appliance.

As mentioned in part 1, our client wanted a bulletproof fail-over system, so we logically decided to go for a Maximum Availability Architecture. This architecture relies on two geographical sites (production and standby), two identical setups with production failing over standby in case of a natural disaster.

We cabled the two sites together with 10GB fiber, and I must say the performance was astounding. Each site setup with one ODA and one ZFS storage appliance linked together, operating constant heavy database and server replication.

Oracle’s ZFS storage appliance is the first application-engineered storage system. Oracle boasts about its unique ability to integrate with Oracle databases and from our recent experience we would agree. The ZFS was easily customizable. All we had to do was go to the datacenter with the Oracle technician, shut down the appliance, plug in the 2 fiber devices and turn it on again. Easy!

Our defense system is composed of multiple strategies interacting with one another, filling the gaps wherever possible disaster recovery situations could arise. Firstly, we setup daily backups for the databases to the ZFS appliances. This is a basic and mandatory step in data safety that we chose to enhance by replicating the production backups to the standby ZFS so we have a safe and warm copy at all times. The Oracle ZFS Replication system is really great for this purpose: on top of its native raidz2 capability it lets you choose between on-demand replication and continuous replication, the latter ensuring permanent network transfers so when new backups are created, they are automatically migrated to the other appliance. Continuous replication was our choice and this combined with the RMAN incremental backup system creates an impressive data protection layer.

Secondly, we needed to be sure we had a cross site recovery strategy. In database administration the famous saying "don't put all your eggs in one basket" is also common sense. What if the basket falls? Data Guard was the perfect candidate to take care of that, allowing us to blend the production databases’ resources across different geographical points. We made it so that there's a sleeping beauty permanently in the standby site, ready for a crash on the production site, to wake up and seamlessly take over the failing resources.

Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) was also a big help. Oracle’s integrated enterprise IT management product line provided us with an overview of everything synchronized at all times but, as usual, there are a few tips and tricks you learn along the way when using cutting-edge technology...

Overall this project was a challenge but it was really worth it. After this successful experience we can’t wait to do it again! We just need to line up the next client that is ready to get serious about data safety.

For more information on the Oracle Database Appliance please view Emerald's product page. For more information on the ZFS storage appliance you can view Oracle's FAQ here.