Application Quiescing Changes to File System Quiescing During vMotion to an Older Host

vSphere Replication can create an application quiesced replica for virtual machines with Windows Server 2008 and Windows 8 guest operating systems running on an ESXi 5.1 or newer host.

Problem

The ESXi 5.1 or newer host is in a cluster with hosts from older versions and you use vMotion to move the replicated virtual machine to an older host. vSphere Replication then creates a file system quiesced replica.

Cause

A mix of ESXi 5.1 (or newer) and older hosts in the cluster creates a file system quiesced replica during vMotion to an older host. The process should instead create an application quiesced replica.

Solution

Make sure that all hosts in the cluster are running ESXi 5.1 or newer before you use vMotion to move a Windows Server 2008 and Windows 8 virtual machine with application quiescing.