FlashArray ActiveCluster is designed for synchronous replication between two FlashArray systems, enabling active-active configurations across two sites. This setup allows both arrays to serve I/O simultaneously, providing high availability and zero RPO (Recovery Point Objective). Each array in the ActiveCluster configuration maintains identical volume identities, ensuring seamless access for hosts regardless of the array they connect to. The configuration supports metro-area clustering, with a maximum round-trip latency of 11 milliseconds between arrays. Additionally, the Pure1 Cloud Mediator or an on-premises mediator is utilized to manage failover and prevent split-brain scenarios, eliminating the need for a third site or external gateway.
While ActiveCluster supports a two-site configuration, it does not support additional arrays within the same synchronous setup. For scenarios requiring protection across more than two sites, asynchronous replication solutions like ActiveDR™ can be employed. ActiveDR allows for asynchronous replication to a third site, providing broader disaster recovery capabilities.
Therefore, the maximum number of arrays supported in a single ActiveCluster configuration is two.