Applying parallel bookmarks to consistency groups

For a single consistency group, you can apply an EMC RecoverPoint bookmark. However, for multiple consistency groups, you must apply a parallel bookmark. A parallel bookmark is a text label that you can apply to multiple consistency group snapshots to uniquely identify a specific point-in-time. You can create a parallel bookmark manually or automatically at regular intervals. Parallel bookmarks are useful to mark specific events, such as for an application update or a failover. All bookmarks are listed in the copy journal.

In ESI, you can only bookmark a snapshot for a consistency group that is enabled and actively transferring.

You can set a consolidation policy for the bookmark, which specifies the time the bookmark must survive either daily, weekly, or monthly consolidations. This setting helps to manage the journal and space required for consolidations.

To apply a parallel bookmark to two or more consistency groups:

1. In the left pane of the ESI window, select a replication service.

2. Click Consistency Groups.

3. Select two or more consistency groups and then click Apply Parallel Bookmark.

4. In the Apply Bookmark wizard, specify the following and click Next.

   Field	Description
   Bookmark	Unique name for the bookmark
   Mark as	Select Crash-Consistent for immediate recovery to the time of a crash with no data loss. Or select Application Consistent for recovery consistent with application settings for failovers.
   Define a Consolidation Policy for this Snapshot	Select to define the consolidation policy.
   Never consolidate this snapshot	Select to prevent ESI from consolidating the snapshot with this bookmark.
   This snapshot must survive Daily (Weekly or Monthly) consolidations	Select to keep the bookmark snapshot from consolidation until after Daily, Weekly, or Monthly EMC RecoverPoint snapshot consolidations.

5. In the Review Input Parameters, review the parameters and click Next.

6. In the Progress page, click Next.

   11. Note: Click More Information for more progress details. If a problem occurs, an error message appears with options to resume or roll back the process. After the error is resolved, click Resume to resume the process. Click Rollback to revert to the previously executed step.

   7. In the Summary page, click Finish.