A VMware HCX Disaster Recovery protection configuration can be tested by bringing the virtual machine online with a test recovery operation, which does not disrupt the ongoing replication.

Prerequisites

  • An initial full synchronization of the protected virtual machine is required. The interface dims the virtual machine test recovery option while the initial synchronization is in progress, to indicate that the option is not available until the initial synchronization procedure completes.

  • When working with protected virtual machines on extended networks:

    • Do not connect a test-recovered virtual machine to the extended network. Doing so may impact the original protected virtual machine due to the duplicate IP address.

    • To test the recovery, create or use a test network at the Disaster Recovery site.

Procedure

  1. Log in to the vSphere Web Client and access the VMware HCX plugin.
  2. Go to the Disaster Recovery tab.
  3. Select the virtual machine and under Actions, click Test Recover VMs.

    A test recovery screen appears prompting you for the recovery parameters.

  4. Make the parameter selections and click Test.
    Note:

    If the protected virtual machine is on a stretched network, the option to use None is available for the target network.

    After the test completes, a certificate icon appears indicating a successful test. A solid yellow triangle appears indicating that a test cleanup is needed.

  5. Perform the clean-up operation,
    1. Select the virtual machine.
    2. Click Actions, and then click Test Recover Cleanup.
    3. Click Cleanup.

Results

The test recovery operation is complete.