Initial Full Synchronization of Virtual Machine Files to VMware vSAN Storage Is Slow

When using VMware vSAN storage and configuring vSphere Replication on multiple virtual machines, the initial full synchronization takes a long time to complete.

Problem

Configuring vSphere Replication on a large number of virtual machines simultaneously when using vSphere Replication with vSAN storage causes the initial full synchronization of the virtual machine files to run very slowly.

Cause

Initial full synchronization operations generate heavy I/O traffic. Configuring too many replications at the same time can overload the vSAN storage.

Solution

Configure vSphere Replication in batches of a maximum of 20 virtual machines at a time.