DR Site Questions

[dmyers33]

I am new to Veeam, so excuse if I'm asking questions that have already been answered.
I just want to gain a better architectural understanding

Production Site
2 ESXi servers
20-30 VMs
v Center VM
Veeam Virtual machine

NAS Storage
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WAN
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DR Site
2 ESXi servers
Veeam Virtual machine
?? Create VMs

NAS Storage

DR Site
I am assuming that I have to have a network setup exactly like the Production site?
I create the DR ESXi and attach to datastore(s) big enough to handle the replicated VM plus snapshots
What do I have to do to the Veeam server to get it ready to "catch" the replicated VMs


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We need to do basic replication so that we can recover in an emergency 4 hr RTO
OR
Actually run the VMs at the DR site

1. Do I have to create the VMs at the recovery site first or will veeam do that?
2. What is the process flow on the replication?
3. Do I need a backup proxy at both locations / suggested?
4. Does Veeam just update the underling disk files on the ESXi?
5. When I create a new VM at the production site, will it be automatically created at the DR site
6. To actually run the DR VM's do I just login as usual? Do I get full functionality?

Thanks all

[Gostev]

Hi Don, please read up the sticky FAQ topic and the User Guide, which cover all of these questions in great details. Otherwise, it would be too much of someone's time on copy/paste work with no value to this community.

If you still have any questions after going through the referenced materials, feel free to ask on the forum (having searched for existing discussions first).

Thanks!

[dmyers33]

I have actually gone through the Admin Guide, and did not see my questions answered in detail. My concern is about the architecture of the Veeam product at a remote site and what actually happens.

I did not get a clear understanding of these details and I have read a bunch on the product.

If you can point me to the FAQ that explains this I'd be thankful.
Or if there is a white paper on the subject I'd also be thankful.

Another person was kind enough to answer some of my questions, but I have a few left.

Please see --> Backup Strategy

Thanks for any help Gostev

[Vitaliy S.]

1. Do I have to create the VMs at the recovery site first or will veeam do that?

Veeam will replicate the VMs.

2. What is the process flow on the replication?
3. Do I need a backup proxy at both locations / suggested?

Here is a good reading that covers these questions: >>> READ FIRST : [FAQ] FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS <<<

4. Does Veeam just update the underling disk files on the ESXi?

During incremental replication job runs only changed blocks will be transferred to your DR site.

5. When I create a new VM at the production site, will it be automatically created at the DR site

Yes, please see this thread for more info: Automatic Backup of new VMs?

6. To actually run the DR VM's do I just login as usual? Do I get full functionality?

Yes, you need to perform a failover operation to run the DR VMs.

[Gostev]

If you can point me to the FAQ that explains this I'd be thankful.

See sticky topic on the very top of every B&R forum. Right next to the New Topic button. Cannot really miss it?

[dmyers33]

Gostev;

I must be dense

So I go to Veeam Backup forum and there is a new topic button. I dot's see anything called sticky
What am I missing??

[Gostev]

You are missing the FAQ topic right below that button, in the Announcements area. The topic is stickied to the top of the forum, thus the name

[dmyers33]

Thanks. After reading the FAQ, it really did answer most of my questions.

Does the VMware ESX server have to be running at the DR site, or just the backup proxy.

Working with the product really helped.

[foggy]

Does the VMware ESX server have to be running at the DR site, or just the backup proxy.

If you are going to replicate, you need ESX server at the DR site to host replica VMs, and actually run them upon failover.