Replication: which host for destination?

[antivir]

I have 3 hosts: esx1, esx2, esx3. Two storages: EVA and MSA (access for all hosts).
I need to replicate VM1 from EVA to MSA.
VM1 in on esx1, Veeam Backup in on esx2. I make job: VA mode (hotadd with change block tracking), source is VM1, but which host for destination?
Does it matter to choose the host with Veeam Backup to reduce network (FC) usage?

Processing rate for first backup (EVA and MSA are accessible for hosts via FC 4 Gb):
1. Veeam Backup and target VM are on the same host: 25 MB/s
2. Veeam Backup and target VM are on different hosts: 20 MB/s
Is it normal speed? Does it use FC only? It looks like using ethernet 1 Gb.

[Gostev]

With Veeam, replication is always performed over the network. So in your scenario, ESX2 will be the best target for this replication job. The data will still go through ESX network stack, but it won't hit the LAN.

[antivir]

But tomorrow Veeam Backup can be on another host. It will be useful auto-select target host.
Thank you.

[antivir]

Another question.
I make replication job to esx2 as destination. Then i try to change destination to esx1. I get message: "Unregister affected replica from esx2 and register it on esx1". I migrate VM to esx1 but i still get that message.

[Vitaliy S.]

Hello Andrew,

In order to change destination host for your replicas, you should unregister replicated VM then move all the files from VeeamBackup folder on your source ESX host to another VeeamBackup folder on the new destination host, then register it back as it is described in the popup box when you click to change the host.

All other ways of moving VMs are not supported. You can ask our support team to assist you with this, if needed.

[antivir]

I see the only way for that - connect directly to host not using vCenter

[Gostev]

I see the only way for that - connect directly to host not using vCenter

I don't understand this statement?

[antivir]

I don't understand this statement?

I can remove VM from inventory in vCenter. But then i add VM to the cluster, i can't choose host. vCenter decides which host.

[Gostev]

You can just move it to the required host immediately.

[antivir]

My source has thin disk, but veeam backup makes replica with thick disk (whole size).