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A CloudCache instance is configured to use one storage type at a time, either Dell Data Domain storage or Local Disk Data Volume. Mixed configurations are not supported.
A single CloudCache can connect to and manage storage units from multiple Data Domain appliances, and conversely, a single Data Domain appliance can serve storage units to multiple CloudCache instances. To maintain data integrity, each storage unit can be associated with only one CloudCache instance at any given time.
This article guides you through configuring a new CloudCache with a Dell Data Domain device as storage. This process involves setting up storage, defining retention policies, creating upload schedules, and attaching backup sets.
The process is organized into two key stages: defining the core operational parameters in General Settings and assigning Backup Sets.
Step 1: Deploy CloudCache
To configure Dell Data Domain as storage for your backups, you must deploy a CloudCache virtual machine in your virtual infrastructure environment and then register the CloudCache using an activation token.
To download CloudCache for Dell PowerProtect Data Domain integration, contact Support.
Deploy the CloudCache agent in your environment.
Login to the Enterprise Workloads Management Console.
Click Manage > CloudCache. Note that if the All Organizations menu is enabled, you have to first select an organization and then click Manage > CloudCache.
Click Add CloudCache.
Copy the activation token in the Activate CloudCache section by clicking the copy icon next to the Activation Token box.
Copy this token to a simple text file, and save the file. Click Done.
Deploy your CloudCache.
Step 2: Choose Storage Type
After you add, install, and activate CloudCache, configure the schedule that the CloudCache follows to synchronize backup data to the cloud storage.
The General Settings tab defines the storage connection, retention policies, and upload behavior of the CloudCache.
Select the storage to be used for the local cache.
Dell Data Domain: Connects to an external Dell Data Domain appliance.
Data Domain Host: Enter the IP address or FQDN of the Dell Data Domain device.
Storage Unit: Enter the name of the target storage unit.
Note
You can attach a Storage Unit to only one instance of CloudCache. However, multiple Storage Units can be attached to one CloudCache.
Username/Password: Provide valid Storage Unit credentials for authentication.
Note
Credentials are defined individually for each Storage Unit. When adding a new Storage Unit, you must enter the specific Username and Password authorized to access that unit, regardless of the credentials used for other units in the configuration.
Disk Data Volume: Uses local disk space directly on the machine where CloudCache is installed.
Data Volume: Browse the data volumes on the CloudCache server and select a data volume.
Volume Size: Specify the size of the cache in GB.
Step 3: Set Local Retention Policy
Local Retention specifies how long backup recovery points are retained on the Data Domain for instant restoration before being flushed or pruned.
Retention Range: Enter a value ranging between 5 to 90 days.
Increments: Set a value in 5-day increments. For example, 5, 10, 15.
📝Note
If you choose to increase the local retention period, it will lead to an increase in storage consumption.
Step 4: Define Upload Schedule
The Upload Schedule controls when CloudCache syncs data to the cloud. Configure the schedule to align with off-peak hours to minimize impact on network bandwidth.
Days: Select the specific days of the week for the schedule to run.
Start at: Set the start time for the upload window (uses CloudCache Time zone).
Upload Window (Hrs): Specify the duration in hours for the upload process.
📝Note
If the synchronization completes within this duration, CloudCache checks for data additions every 10 minutes. If new data is backed up during this period, CloudCache synchronizes this new data to the Cloud. For example, if you set the start time to 9 AM and duration to 4 hours, and the synchronization completes before 1 PM, the CloudCache checks for new data every 10 minutes. CloudCache synchronizes this data to the cloud. CloudCache considers this synchronization operation as complete at 1 PM.
Max Bandwidth: Set the maximum bandwidth limit in Mbps for the upload operation. This is the limit that you want the CloudCache to consume at the time of synchronizing backup data to the cloud storage..
Backup to Cloud if unable to backup to Cache: The option to enable backing up of data directly to the Cloud. If a server cannot reach the local CloudCache device or faces any issues with Data Domain connectivity, it automatically backs up directly to the cloud. This ensures uninterrupted data protection and guarantees RPOs are met even during device maintenance or network issues.
Step 5: Attach Backup Sets
The Backup Sets tab allows you to assign specific workloads, such as servers, virtual machines, file shares, and more, to the CloudCache device.
Use the search bar or browse the table to find backup sets based on the following criteria.
Backup Set: Unique name of the backup set.
Backup Set Type: Workload type e.g., VMware, Nutanix AHV, Files, etc.
Administrative Group: Administrative group that the backup set belongs to.
Select the checkbox next to each backup set. You can see a count of the selected backup sets at the top of the table.
Click Finish to save and apply the configuration.
The configured CloudCache appears under the Configured tab on the All CloudCache Devices page.
