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arifr
Contributor
Contributor

Best topology for vCenter server and PSC deployment for two sites

We have two sites of VMware Hosts, each site has 10 Hosts. The sites are connected through high-speed LAN, each site has dedicated HPE 3PAR SAN attached to Hosts. We are creating fresh VMware 6.5U2 environment.

We want to HA to be enabled between the two sites in addition to on-site Hosts. Whats is the best vCenter server and PSC deployment topology we can follow?

So far I researched, creating two vCenter servers (each in one site) with external PSCs (again each in one site) will form Enhanced Linked mode and replication/HA between sites would be possible. Is it the best topology? I see about this deployment topology in following links:

https://www.michellelaverick.com/2018/02/multi-site-multiple-vcenters-and-enhanced-linked-mode-confi...

https://www.altaro.com/vmware/how-to-set-up-enhanced-linked-mode/

Is it also possible to do Enhanced Linked mode or achieve replication/HA between sites using vCenter server with Embedded PSC deployment instead of creating separate PSC instance?

Which one is best recommenced?

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EricChigoz
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hello Arifr,

There are some options to explore.

Do you have a stretched LAN or do you maintain different IP addresses across sites?

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daphnissov
Immortal
Immortal

We want to HA to be enabled between the two sites in addition to on-site Hosts. Whats is the best vCenter server and PSC deployment topology we can follow?

So far I researched, creating two vCenter servers (each in one site) with external PSCs (again each in one site) will form Enhanced Linked mode and replication/HA between sites would be possible.

There is no such thing as cross-site HA with two separate vCenters in separate datacenters, at least not with vSphere. Enhanced Linked Mode is only from a manageability standpoint and not a DR or availability standpoint. To achieve site-level redundancy you'd need another product like SRM, Veeam, etc.

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T_16
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

This isnt really true at all.    

Two separate sites with, two separate clusters, = Enhanced link mode all day long.


You can manage the whole lot from either of the two vCenters, and if one goes down, you still can manage and have access to the other cluster.

Its not true "HA" but easily the next best thing IMO.

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daphnissov
Immortal
Immortal

Not sure what you're saying. Are you suggesting taking down one of two vCenters that are in ELM is HA as long as you can manage half of the resources? Because if so...no, it isn't.

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