About Array-Based Replication Protection Groups and Datastore Groups

When you create a protection group for array-based replication, you specify array information and Site Recovery Manager computes the set of virtual machines to a datastore group. Datastore groups contain all the files of the protected virtual machines.

You add virtual machines to an array-based replication protection group by placing them in a datastore that belongs to a datastore group that Site Recovery Manager associates with a protection group. Site Recovery Manager recomputes the datastore groups when it detects a change in a protected virtual machine. For example, if you add a hard disk that is on another LUN to a protected virtual machine, Site Recovery Manager adds the LUN to the datastore group of that protection group. You must reconfigure the protection to protect the new LUN. Site Recovery Manager computes consistency groups when you configure an array pair or when you refresh the list of devices.

You can also add virtual machines to the protection group by using Storage vMotion to move their files to one of the datastores in the datastore group. You can remove a virtual machine from an array-based replication protection group by moving the virtual machine's files to another datastore.

You can protect and recover encrypted virtual machines by using array-based replication protection groups. The protection and recovery of encrypted virtual machines with array-based replication requires VMware vSphere 6.7 and later.

If your storage array supports consistency groups, Site Recovery Manager is compatible with vSphere Storage DRS and vSphere Storage vMotion. You can use Storage DRS and Storage vMotion to move virtual machine files within a consistency group that Site Recovery Manager protects. If your storage array does not support consistency groups, you cannot use Storage DRS and Storage vMotion in combination with Site Recovery Manager.