Alike Networking Requirements
Alike Free (and standard/xva based jobs)
For all XenServer communication Alike uses either http or https (TCP port 80 or 443). Although Alike only communicates with the pool master for all Standard jobs, it is best practice to allow access to http/https on all XenServer hosts in the pool, since the Pool Master role is dynamic. All Standard Backup, Restore and Replicate jobs also use the same http/https ports when communicating with the XenServer Pool.Enhanced Jobs
There are 3 main components for all Enhanced jobs: the Alike services, the Alike Data Store (ADS), and the Alike Backup Delegates (ABD).The ADS
The simplest of the three components is the ADS, which is a straightforward CIFS share that can reside on the Alike Server, or any CIFS compliant server or NAS device. Both the Alike services and the ABDs must be able to access the ADS on TCP 445 (CIFS). If the ADS resides on the same server as the Alike services, the services will bypass CIFS automatcially, and access the DS directly.ABDs
All types of 'Enhanced' jobs (backup, restore and replication) require ABDs to function. ABDs (Alike Backup Delegates) are tiny ephemeral virtual appliances that Alike creates only for the duration of a particular job, cleaning them up afterwards. During operation, each ABD will require 1 unique IP address.ABDs for backup and restore jobs
For Enhanced Backup and Restore jobs, Alike will spawn a single ABD to perform its work. This ABD may be respawned many times throughout a job's lifespan. During the job's process, the Alike services must be able to access the ABD on their assigned or alternate IP address via TCP 22 for all control communications. No significant bandwidth will be consumed over this connection. Instead, all data traffic will be routed directly to/from the ABD and the Alike DataStore on TCP 445.ABDs for Enhanced Replication jobs
Enhanced replication jobs that require only 1 ABD have the exact same requirements as enhanced backup/restore jobs. However, for ER jobs that require 2 ABDs, there is an addition networking requirement for traffic between the ABDs themselves. Please note, that the networking requirements depend on the 'data flow' option selected in the ER job. For 'push' jobs (default), the source ABD must be able to access the destination ABD by either its 'alternate IP' or 'assigned IP' on TCP 22 and TCP 2812 (configurable). Additionally, the source ABD must be able to access the Alike DataStore on TCP 445. N.B. The target ABD DOES NOT need to access the Alike DataStore.For 'pull' ER jobs, the flow and requirements are reversed. In pull jobs, the TARGET ABD must be able to access the SOURCE ABD on TCP 22 and TCP 2812 (configurable). Additionally only the TARGET ABD must be able to access the Alike DataStore on TCP 445.
Alternate IPs for ABDs
When assigning IP address for your ABDs, you have the option to provide an 'alternate IP'. If left blank, Alike will assign the given IP to the ABD, and all communication traffic to and from the ABD will use the assigned IP address. However, to accommodate Natting and other networking needs, you may provide an 'alternate IP' for any ABD. When provided, Alike will assign the 'assigned IP' to the ABD vm, but all of Alike's communications from the services and between ABDs in ER jobs, will use the 'alternate IP'.Offsite Vaulting
Alike Offsite vaulting requires 2 components. Your traditional 'onsite' Alike installation, and a remote 'offsite' module, which is installed on a seperate server. The 'onsite' services of Alike initiate communication to the 'offsite' module and utilize a single TCP port: 2811 (default). The 'offsite' module may use NAT/PAT, and if so, the 'onsite' service must be configured to connect to the 'offsite' module's public IP address.Other Considerations
In order to perform leaf-coalesce jobs in XenServer 5.5, Alike requires TCP port 22 to be open for each XenServer in the job.Alike supports NAT/PAT for access of any of the XenServer Pool, or its offsite components, as long as the original port numbers are preserved.
If you configure a Proxy Server for use in your environment, Alike will use the proxy settings instead of port 80 and 443. Alike will not use your proxy for any other required TCP port.
