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Introduction
In the context of the CloudCache and Dell Data Domain integration, a Storage Unit represents the specific logical location on the Dell Data Domain appliance where backup data is stored. By defining a Storage Unit, administrators designate a high-performance backend for their local cache, leveraging the capabilities of the Dell Data Domain infrastructure.
Unified Storage Pool Architecture
The integration supports the configuration of multiple Storage Units to enhance performance and capacity. When more than one Storage Unit is added to a CloudCache device, the system aggregates them into a unified, high-performance storage pool.
Data Distribution
To ensure optimal efficiency, CloudCache does not treat these units as isolated silos. Instead, data is distributed across all configured units. This architecture allows the system to balance load and maximize the throughput capabilities of the underlying Dell Data Domain appliance.
Operational Constraints and Availability
Because Storage Units function as part of a unified pool, there are specific operational behaviors and constraints that administrators must understand to ensure data availability.
Active Status Requirement: To maintain data availability, all configured storage units must remain active. If one unit in the pool becomes inaccessible, the integrity of the distributed data may be compromised.
Removal Restrictions: Storage Units are permanent additions to the configuration. Once a Storage Unit is added to the pool, it cannot be removed individually. To remove storage resources, the entire CloudCache device must be decommissioned.
Monitoring Storage Unit Health
The health of a Storage Unit is defined by its connectivity, authentication status, and access mode.
Authentication: Each Storage Unit requires valid credentials (Username and Password). A green checkmark in the Enterprise Workloads Management Console indicates valid credentials, while a red 'x' indicates authentication failure.
Access Mode: Administrators must ensure that Storage Units do not enter a Read-Only state, as this prevents the CloudCache from writing new backup data. Critical alerts will notify administrators if a unit becomes Read-Only or if connection failures occur.