I understand that there are 2 approved architectures for multi site search head clustering. One, where each site has their own independent search head clustering that has search affinity with index clusters, and a second option where there is a search head cluster stretched across the two sites.
For the first option where the search head clusters are independent to each site, I have read that search head clusters are not site-aware. Does this mean that things saved through the search head cluster on site 1 would not replicate to site 2? For example, if I were to create a new dashboard at site 1 on the web UI through the search head cluster, that would not replicate to site 2?
You are correct. In the first architecture, the two SHCs are independent and unaware of each other. Independent clusters do not share/replicate KOs with/to each other.
Thanks @richgalloway I have a second part to this question. Can I use the manager node to do a deployment to replicate configurations (dashboards and reports) saved on site A to site B? Could this be done with the SHC deployer if I were to do a deployment on a weekly bases for example?
You are correct. In the first architecture, the two SHCs are independent and unaware of each other. Independent clusters do not share/replicate KOs with/to each other.