If you have a new setup with iCluster and want to test the integrity of your backup system before running a switch test, use the simulator to check the environment. The simulator does not affect the production system, work can carry on there uninterrupted, the clever stuff is done on the backup system, where the staging store exists. Starting the simulator marks the position on the journals and then stops the group apply jobs on the backup, so all transactions replicated from production are held in the staging library. Users then log on to the backup system to run tests and record any issues or problems that occur. Ending the simulator then rolls the journal positions back and the apply jobs are started.You see some latency until everything is caught up.
We recommend the simulator is run for maybe 2 to 3 hours (i.e. not days) as it will take longer to roll back. Also, the simulator can be run as many times as needed, and once full confidence in the backup is reached, you can move on to preparing your switch knowing everything has been tested and is working. The simulator can be run on a group, some groups or all groups.
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d broadbridge
Rocket Software
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