
Configuring Hyper-V Replica with SvSAN and Windows Failover Clustering
This article explains how to configure Microsoft Hyper-V Replica alongside a Windows Failover Cluster using StorMagic SvSAN to provide asynchronous disaster recovery replication to a secondary site.
Configure Hyper-V Replica for Disaster Recovery
Scenario
This example demonstrates a deployment where a customer requires a disaster recovery (DR) location without implementing a stretched Windows Failover Cluster.
- Primary Site:
- 2-node Windows Hyper-V Failover Cluster
- StorMagic SvSAN providing shared storage
- Highly Available virtual machines
- Disaster Recovery Site:
- Single Hyper-V server
- Configured as a Hyper-V Replica Server
- Receives asynchronous VM replication
Because the WAN bandwidth cannot support a stretched cluster, Hyper-V Replica is used to asynchronously replicate virtual machines from the primary site to the disaster recovery location.
Deployment guides:
Configure the Hyper-V Replica Broker
In Failover Cluster Manager, select the cluster name and choose Configure Role.
On the High Availability Wizard, select Next.
Select the Hyper-V Replica Broker role, then choose Next.
Specify the Replica Broker name and assign the IP address that will be used for replica communications, then select Next.
Review the configuration, then select Next.
Review the summary and select Finish to complete the configuration.
After completion, the Hyper-V Replica Broker appears under the cluster Roles.
Replica Server Configuration
Log into the server that will act as the Replica Server for the Hyper-V cluster.
Under Actions, select Hyper-V Settings.
Select Replication Configuration.
Enable the server by selecting Enable this computer as a Replica Server.
Select the authentication method appropriate for your environment. Configure whether to allow replication from any authenticated server or only specified servers, then select Apply.
A warning may appear advising that the required firewall port (for example, TCP port 80 when using HTTP authentication) must be configured.
Select OK to acknowledge the warning.
Select OK to complete the Replica Server configuration.
Enable Hyper-V Replication
In Failover Cluster Manager, select the virtual machine to replicate. Under Actions, choose Replication > Enable Replication.
On the Enable Replication wizard, select Next.
Enter the name of the Replica Server and select Next.
Configure the connection parameters to match the authentication method configured on the Replica Server, then select Next.
Select the virtual hard disks (VHDs) that will be replicated to the Replica Server, then select Next.
Complete the Enable Replication Wizard
Choose how frequently replication changes should be sent to the Replica Server. Select the interval that best matches the workload of the virtual machine. For example, database servers may require more frequent replication than less active workloads.
Select the desired replication frequency, then choose Next.
Configure any additional recovery points, such as keeping only the latest recovery point or maintaining hourly recovery points.
Select Next to continue.
Choose the initial replication method and, if required, schedule the initial replication.
Select Next.
Review the configuration summary to verify the settings are correct, then select Finish to enable replication.
After the wizard completes, verify that replication has been established on the Replica Server.
Verify Replication and Perform a Test Failover
On the Replica Server, the replication status is displayed on the virtual machine page within Hyper-V Manager.
Because replication is active, the replicated virtual machine cannot be powered on directly. To validate replication, perform a Test Failover.
Select the replicated virtual machine, then choose Replication > Test Failover from the Actions menu.
Hyper-V creates a temporary test virtual machine that can be safely powered on without affecting ongoing replication.
Select Test Failover.
A recovery point is created, allowing the test virtual machine to be started and validated.
Validate the Test Failover Virtual Machine
Select the test virtual machine and, under Actions, choose Start to power on the VM.
Once the virtual machine has powered on, select the VM console and, under Actions, choose Connect to open the console.
Log into the virtual machine and verify that it is operating as expected.
After testing has completed, shut down the test virtual machine and, from the Actions menu, delete the temporary test VM.
For additional backup technologies, refer to:
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