Replication to a DR site Options

[goldleader]

I am in the process of testing and setting up Veeam Replication to our DR site and just looking for the best way to do it. Currently at the Production site we have 3 VMWare Hosts and vCenter on version 6. We have one virtual Veeam server on version 9. All vms are backed up to a Data Domain D610 at the Production site and are then replicated to another Data Domain D610 at the DR site.

I would like to use Veeam Replication to give a better DR solution and not just have offsite backups. I was looking to have 2 ESXi hosts and a SAN in the DR site but i'm unsure of which of the following options gives the best DR solution:

1. Have another Veeam server vm in the DR site that just does the Replication. The problem I have with this is that we would then be replicating the vms twice across the WAN link, once from the Data Domain replication of the backups and then from the Veeam Replication. Also i'm not sure how the DR failover would work having 2 Veeam servers?

2. Have just one Veeam server vm at the DR site that does both the backups and the replication. Not sure how this would work with the local backup storage in the Production site, maybe a proxy or maybe move the Production Data Domain to the DR site? Again this would have the vms replicated/backups twice across the WAN link,

3. Have another Veeam server vm in the DR site that does the Replication using the backups held on the Data Domain in the DR site. This would give one replication over the WAN link. However i'm not sure how the DR failover would work having 2 Veeam servers?

4. Don't have a Veeam server vm in the DR site and backup the Veeam configuration and restore to a new server in the event of a disaster. Not sure I like this design, it feels to risky. Again this would have the vms replicated twice across the WAN link.

Any advice would be great.

[veremin]

Not sure how this would work with the local backup storage in the Production site, maybe a proxy or maybe move the Production Data Domain to the DR site?

Personally I would choose this option and keep traffic in production site by creating proxy and repository servers there.

As to avoiding sending data through WAN twice, you can try assign a repository role to second DD device, create dummy jobs, map them to replicated backup data and use them as a source for replication jobs. Check this thread for more information.

Thanks.

[goldleader]

So you think having just one Veeam server in the DR site doing everything is the best way to go?

If i use the second DD why do I need dummy jobs? Could I not just import the second DD as a repository and use that as the source for the Replication jobs?

[veremin]

So you think having just one Veeam server in the DR site doing everything is the best way to go?

Correct. Not only will you have everything within one management server, but also you will be able execute failover and failback operations from that server (should disaster happen).

Could I not just import the second DD as a repository and use that as the source for the Replication jobs?

Backups should refer to some backup jobs. Otherwise, the said functionality wouldn't work.

Thanks.

[goldleader]

Ok so because the backup has been done on the Production Veeam server to its Data Domain the DR Veeam Server won't be able to use the DR Data Domain repository even if I import it because there is no actual backup job on the DR Veeam Server. What kind of dummy job do I have to create on the DR Veeam server to get that to work then?

[veremin]

Ok so because the backup has been done on the Production Veeam server to its Data Domain the DR Veeam Server won't be able to use the DR Data Domain repository even if I import it because there is no actual backup job on the DR Veeam Server.

Correct.

What kind of dummy job do I have to create on the DR Veeam server to get that to work then?

Basically, just backup jobs with whatever settings you like. Thanks.

Thanks.

[goldleader]

If I do backups though at the DR site will I need to add the DR VMWare hosts to my Veeam licensing? I thought that you can have a second Veeam server and extra VMWare Hosts for free if it isn't doing backups and only doing Replication jobs?

[veremin]

Only "source" (production) host needs to be covered by Veeam license. Thanks.

[goldleader]

Great thanks for the help

[veremin]

You're welcome. If any other question arises, kindly, let us know. Thanks.