Site Recovery Manager - mid size (less than 500 VMs) data centre migration

[Raj_Ghosh]

We are trying to evaluate SRM as AS-IS DC migration product for a mid-size DC migration. Expectation is whatever VMs (less than 500) are present in the source DC all will be moved to a new DC (distance within 200 Kms), kind of AS-IS migration.

Our initial approach was -

1. Perform application due diligence including infra, network & security

2. Find out application dependencies (as per it's interfaces) - accordingly create move group ---- this way we may be in a position to create 10 bundle which can be migrated 1 by 1 and then data migration needs to be taken care. Minimum data migrate first (replication link). Once smoke testing is done we will move rest of the data by using incremental approach. Then migrate next group and test etc.

Question -

By using SRM can we migrate entire VMs (less than 500) - app + data in a single go? in that case app dependencies is required? Also pre-migration as well as post migration testing is required? Kindly help.

Thanks

[vbrowncoat]

- By using SRM can we migrate entire VMs (less than 500) - app + data in a single go?

SRM would support migrating all of the VMs at the same time. SRM migrates VMs so data would be included in that. It doesn't deal specifically with applications, just the VMs they are running on. SRM will orchestrate the migration of all protected VMs (and their data) from one site to the other. With SRM you would utilize either vSphere Replication (included in vSphere Essentials Plus licensing and higher) or array-based replication (see VMware site for supported vendors) to move data (and therefore VMs) between sites.

- in that case app dependencies is required?

Not sure what you mean here. SRM supports starting VMs in a specific order through the concepts of "Priority Groups" and "Dependencies".

- Also pre-migration as well as post migration testing is required?

SRM supports non-disruptive testing of recovery plans (you would be using a recovery plan as a migration plan). This is one of the most powerful features of SRM, especially for migrations as it allows you to test your applications at the new site without impacting production systems.

Does this answer your questions? If so please mark as helpful. Thanks!