Finally getting around to using the R in B&R, few questions

[pesos]

Hi all,

We have two hyper-v clusters in separate datacenters (one 2012r2 and one 2016). Each cluster has a b&r 9.5 (standard essentials) licensed server running independently and backing up both standalone (Exchange, DCs) and clustered VMs.

We have a few VMs that are set up with Hyper-v replica between the clusters, and I've finally made time to look at potentially using Veeam replication instead to avoid the write penalty (is there still a write penalty with 2016 rct?).

How would Veeam replication work in this scenario, where the hosts are already "tied" to their respective local veeam servers?

Many thanks,
Pesos

[foggy]

Hi John, replication between the datacenters will work fine provided both Veeam B&R instances are kept at the same patch level (since chances are the same hosts will be involved in jobs processed by different Veeam B&R servers).

[pesos]

Thanks!

Any thoughts on my other question? Since 2016 now has RCT which appears to be leveraged by b&r 9.5, does native Hyper-V Replica no longer have the oft-chided double write penalty when replicating configuration version 8.0 VMs?

[pesos]

Also, this Veeam document appears to be stating that you cannot have a 2016 source and 2012r2 target:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... tml?ver=95

Is that only if the VMs are configuration version 8.0? The few VMs that we do hyper-v replica with we've specifically kept at version 5.0 so that we can do replica with the 2012r2 cluster.

[Mike Resseler]

Hi John,

Native Hyper-V Replica in 2016 still works with the log file as it was with 2012 R2.

Cheers
Mike

[Mike Resseler]

Hi John,

No, that is not because of the version actually. It is the underlying technology. While the native replica uses a logfile based system, we are using snapshot technology. But there is no compatibility between 2012 R2 and 2016 so we cannot provide that support.

Hope it helps
Mike

[pesos]

Bummer, will have to stick with native for now until Dell resolves our storage issues with 2016 (not holding my breath).

Thanks Mike.

[pesos]

Looks like native doesn't work that way either lol. Dell ftl. Luckily our critical replication needs are in the 2912r2-->2016 direction

[Mike Resseler]

No, from 2016 downwards is not supported in native replica also (This was also not the case with 2012 R2 to 2012)