How to replicate VMM VMs in failover cluster running Storage Spaces Direct to ASR

J Lindgren 25 Reputation points
2023-11-28T21:14:48.4133333+00:00

We want to migrate Virtual Machine Manager VMs running in a local Storage Spaces Direct failover cluster (Windows Server 2016) to Azure. Azure Site Recovery was recommended as a method to do this (replicate (backup) the VM to Azure and then failover to the backup).

I've read and followed the steps to prepare VMM and configure an Azure Site Recovery environment in Azure.

I've read the document that covers the setup of replication to ASR of on-premises Hyper-V VMs in VMM clouds to Azure, but does anyone know if this also applies to Hyper-V hosts that are also nodes in a Storage Spaces Direct failover cluster?

Azure Site Recovery
Azure Site Recovery
An Azure native disaster recovery service. Previously known as Microsoft Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager.
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Hyper-V
Hyper-V
A Windows technology providing a hypervisor-based virtualization solution enabling customers to consolidate workloads onto a single server.
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Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server Clustering
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Clustering: The grouping of multiple servers in a way that allows them to appear to be a single unit to client computers on a network. Clustering is a means of increasing network capacity, providing live backup in case one of the servers fails, and improving data security.
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Windows Server Storage
Windows Server Storage
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Storage: The hardware and software system used to retain data for subsequent retrieval.
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Accepted answer
  1. SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 40,446 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2023-12-01T20:55:49.98+00:00

    Hello @J Lindgren Thank you for reaching out to us on Microsoft Q&A platform Happy to help!

    Your understanding is correct. Azure Site Recovery supports replication of on-premises Hyper-V VMs in VMM clouds to Azure. However, replication of Hyper-V hosts that are nodes in a Storage Spaces Direct failover cluster is not supported. Reference link - https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/hyper-v-azure-support-matrix#hyper-v-vm-guest-storage

    User's image

    Workaround:

    However, you can protect these VMs as physical machines and enable replication using ASR. Guide to refer to - Set up disaster recovery of physical on-premises servers with Azure Site Recovery - Azure Site Recovery | Microsoft Learn

    Hope this helps. Please reply if you have any questions!

    If the response helped, do "Accept Answer" and up-vote it

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  1. Net Runner 600 Reputation points
    2024-02-16T17:47:29.1166667+00:00

    Depending on the backup solution you are using and its features, the most straightforward option to migrate a virtual machine from the local Hyper-V cluster to Azure would be to back up locally -> restore to the cloud.

    Suppose that it is not a one-time operation but rather a hybrid approach. In that case, you can add another S2D node that is running in Azure to your cluster and convert your existing S2D cluster into a hybrid one, which will essentially allow you to migrate your virtual machines back and forth from/to cloud https://robertsmit.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/whatif-hybrid-storage-spaces-direct-s2d-and-storage-replication-sr-azure-windows-server-2016-mvpvconf-ws2016-mvpbuzz/.

    One more option is to replace S2D with an alternative software-defined storage solution like Starwinds https://www.starwindsoftware.com/vsan and use ASR as you usually do or build a stretched cluster into Azure but for less budget (saving on licensing).