When you start a recovery node, you have an opportunity to run the recovery node in test mode. Quorum recommends that you access the recovery node in test mode through the integrated console.

Running a recovery node in test mode means that it runs in a limited private network environment isolated from your production facilities.

The reason for running in test mode is to ensure, without risk to ongoing operations, that the recovery node is intact and will run in the event of a disaster. Keep in mind that this capability is in addition to automatic testing.

The onQ Appliance itself occasionally and briefly runs a recovery node in test mode as part of an internal quality-assurance process. However, best practice is to check your recovery nodes periodically, just as you would ordinary backups.

While an RN is running in test mode the corresponding PN also continues to run although the backup process is suspended. Backups (and subsequent rebuilds of the RN) resume according to current settings when the test mode has finished.