The VMware HCX virtual machine (VM) protection operation is used to configure the disaster recovery settings for a virtual machine, with specific remote site resources and recovery point objectives.

Note:

For the number of concurrent virtual machine protections supported with HCX, see Configuration and Service Limits for VMware HCX.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Web Client, navigate to VMware HCX.
  2. Navigate to the Disaster Recovery tab and click Protect VMs.

    The HCX protection screen appears.

  3. (Optional) Review the Replication Destination Site setting and check whether to Protect VMs to Primary Site or accept the default.

    By default, replication is to the destination site from the source site, and the system loads the virtual machine inventory for the source site.

    Checking Protect VMs to Primary Site causes replication to happen from the destination site to the source site, and the system loads the virtual machine inventory from the destination site.

  4. Set the replication options.

    To set the options for all selected virtual machines, use the Global replication options area of the interface at the top of the window. To set machine-specific options, select a specific virtual machine and expand the entry.

    Virtual Machine Replication Options

    Description

    Activate Compression

    Helps during the seeding process of the VM. Helps if there is a low throughput for LAN/WAN connectivity.

    Activate Quiescence

    Pauses the virtual machine to ensure that the most consistent copy of the virtual machine is protected on destination site.

    Seed Virtual Machine

    This option allows you to select an existing off-line copy of the VM at the destination site. This can reduce the amount of VM data transmitted for DR protection.

    Destination Container (optional)

    Specifies the Cluster or the Resource Pool where the protected copy of the virtual machine lives.

    Storage

    Specifies the datastore on which the protected copy of the virtual machine resides. The Storage Policy drop-down menu lists all compatible datastores. If there is no selection, the system uses the Default Storage Policy and the corresponding datastore.

    RPO

    Indicates the Recovery Point Objective for the VM. With VMware HCX, settings range from 5 minutes to 24 hours.

    Note:

    The 5 minute RPO requires the source host to be ESXi 6.0 or later for vSAN, and ESXi 6.5 for other supported datastores.

    Snapshots Interval

    Defines the interval between Snapshots. In the event a corrupted change was synchronized to the protected (destination) site, this options provides a way to recover from an earlier point in time. Snapshots provide a Multiple Point in the Time Recovery plan for the protected VM.

    No. of Snapshots

    Indicates the total number of snapshots within the established snapshot interval.

    Destination Network

    Corresponding network that the protected virtual machine uses. If the network for the source virtual machine is extended, this field is automatically populated.
    Note:

    Always verify the Storage Policy and associated datastore selection, and evaluate the expected storage usage at the DR site. The settings cannot be changed once the protection is in place. Storage Policy selection is NOT available during Recovery or Test Recovery operations.

  5. Click Finish.

    The DR Dashboard is displayed. You can monitor the progress of virtual machine protection. When protection operation is complete, a green shield appears in the Status column.

  6. Review the dashboard information.

    • Local VMs – Reflects the number of virtual machines on the source site that are protected.

    • Remote VMs – Reflects the total number of virtual machines on the remote site that are being protected.

    • Activity – Monitors DR related operations.

    • Green Shield – Indicates DR protection is active.

    • Yellow triangle – Indicates DR protection has not been tested.

    • Local Site/Remote Site – Arrows indicate the direction of protection.

What to do next

Verify protection using the procedure Performing a Virtual Machine Test Recovery.