Dell DR4000 - Manual (Page 3)

Introduction to the Dell DR4000 Recovery Manager
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1 Introduction
The Dell DR4000 backup appliance Restore Manager (RM) utility is used to restore the DR4000 system
software in the event of a non-recoverable error.
The DR4000 has been designed to be highly fault-tolerant incorporating such features as dual
redundant power supplies, a RAID 1 (mirror) protected virtual disk for the system software, a RAID 6
protected virtual disk to store backup data, and a global hot spare. Despite this robust design,
unforeseen events can occur and render the DR4000 inoperable. Normally, a failure of this magnitude
requires repair of one or more hardware components. Once the defective hardware has been
replaced, the DR4000 system software may need to be reinstalled to bring the system back to a fully
operational state. RM can restore the DR4000 back to a fully operational state effortlessly with a
minimal amount of user input. Additionally, because system recovery may include replacing failed
hardware components, RM will verify and update, if necessary, the firmware of any replaced
components without user interaction.
2 Restore Manager Operating Modes
Before attempting to run the Restore Manager, it is important to understand its two modes of
operation:
 Appliance Recovery Mode – Restore Manager reinstalls the system software and attempts to
recover user settings and user data
 Factory Reset Mode – Restore Manager reinstalls the system software and erases all prior user
settings and user data
2.1.1 Understanding Recovery Mode
Recovery mode is the most commonly used option to recover after a system failure. This option is
used when the system software becomes non-functional, typically as a result of a non-recoverable
software failure. The RAID 1 virtual disk resides on the two internal 2.5-inch hard drives and contains
the system software. Use Recovery mode when no critical hardware failures have occurred on the
internal or external hard drives.
In Recovery mode, Restore Manager reinstalls the system software on the RAID 1 virtual disk and
reboots. During this first boot operation, the DR4000 system will attempt to remount the RAID 6
virtual disk residing on the front facing 3.5-inch hard drives. User settings and user data will be
recovered if possible. Once the system recovery is complete, the administrator, service, and root
passwords are reset back to the factory defaults. Additionally, the root and service accounts are
disabled.
2.1.2 Understanding Factory Reset Mode
Factory Reset mode is used only when you do not wish to recover user settings and user data, and it is
the only mode that can be used if a non-recoverable failure has occurred on the internal RAID 1 hard
drives or the external RAID 6 hard drives. All of the hard drives are erased and reset back to the factory