Cluster Deployment

In this section, we will explore the cluster deployment of the BDRSuite Backup Server across various operating systems, offering an overview of the process as well as highlighting any associated limitations.

What is Cluster Deployment?

Cluster deployment of the BDRSuite Backup Server involves setting up and configuring a cluster of interconnected computers or servers to work together as a unified computing resource. 

Example;

Suppose you have a medium-sized  or an enterprise organization with  large number of computers and systems that need regular backups. The environment consisting of workstations, Database Servers, Application Servers, Virtual Machines, File storages etc.  Given the complexity and criticality of the environment, a cluster deployment of BDRSuite Backup Server can offer load balancing, fault tolerance and high availability. If a node in the cluster fails or requires maintenance, the workload is automatically distributed to the remaining nodes.

If your BDRSuite Backup Server operates as a standalone server, you can configure it as a new Cluster setup by following this KB article.

The BDRSuite Backup Server can be deployed in a cluster on various operating systems as follows;

• Windows
• Linux 

Limitations

The cluster installation comes with a few limitations, which are as follows;

1. All the nodes should have a common cluster name. Multiple cluster names are not supported.

2. The BDR Backup Server web login and access are restricted for sub-nodes (User can access it only through the Main node).

3. The Disk Rotation repository type of Block Storage is not supported.

4. All nodes should have a common storage location; Backups will fail if the sub-nodes don't have access to the storage repository (Backup Repository).

5. Conversion of BDR Backup Server from Standalone to Cluster environment requires common storage for all nodes, else backups will fail when sub-nodes don't have access to the storage after conversion.

6. If you have opted for Object Storage as the backup repository in a cluster deployment, make sure that all nodes have seamless internet connectivity for the cloud upload of backup data.

7. The Backup Copy feature requires a common storage location for all nodes to access.

8. Windows BDR Server cluster group - should not support Linux BDR Server as a Main/Sub node; and Linux BDR Server cluster group - should not support Windows BDR Server as a Main/Sub node.

9. The BDR Cluster deployment doesn’t support the backup and recovery of AWS, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace.