You can set up VMware Live Site Recovery so you can plan, test, and run the recovery of virtual machines between a protected vCenter Server site and a recovery vCenter Server site.

Setting up VMware Live Site Recovery requires performing some tasks in the VMware Live Recovery UI, while you perform other tasks in the Site Recovery Manager UI.
Note: VMware Live Site Recovery currently works with on-premises protected and recovery sites. Both sites must be running VMware vCenter Server.
You can use VMware Live Site Recovery: in connected mode or offline mode.
  • Connected mode is when all VMware Live Site Recovery servers and pairs are continuously connected VMware Live Recovery.
  • Offline mode is when your VMware Live Site Recovery servers and pairs are disconnected from the internet (also called "dark sites"), which is designed for organizations who must remain disconnected from the internt for regulatory or security reasons.

Connected Mode Setup

Setting up VMware Live Site Recovery in connected mode requires the following tasks:
  • Log in to VMWare Cloud.
  • Download the Site Recovery Manager Virtual Appliance and install it on both sites.
  • Install vSphere Replication on both sites.
  • Connect the Site Recovery Manager Virtual Appliance to VMware Live Recovery.
  • Pair the two Site Recovery servers.
  • Activate VMware Live Recovery for the site pair.

For more information, see Set Up VMware Live Site Recovery for New Users or Set Up VMware Live Site Recovery for Existing Sites.

Offline Mode Setup

Setting up VMware Live Site Recovery in offline mode requires the following tasks:
  • Log in to the vSphere client and select Site Recovery.
  • Click to connect to VMware Live Recovery.
  • Choose the offline mode option.
  • Create an offline change request key in the Site Recovery UI.
  • Open the VMware Live Recovery global console and choose to create an offline license key.
  • Enter the change request key.
  • Choose the terms of the license by selecting the amount of VMs you want to protect and an expiration date for the license.
  • Copy the new offline license key.
  • Return to the Site Recovery UI and enter the offline license key.

For more information, see How do I set up Site Recovery Manager to work in offline mode.