DR Testing - Multi-Host Bubble Networks

[bigdazza75]

Hi.

We're thinking about how best to achieve end-to-end application level DR testing. We have a production environment, running 80% of VMs, and a DR target with some VMs running (AD/SQL/etc.), with replication from Prod>DR. We also have some physical entities that cannot be virtualised. So...

Ideally, if we run a test failover, the VMs would be distributed across the hosts. They simply can't run on a single host. Is there a way to connect these VMs together cross-host without interfering with the current VMs on the DR site? (They would need to share physical uplinks)?

Any recommendations also on how we could possible connect physical resources into this bubble environment?

All suggestions welcome and gratefully received.

[bayupw]

Hi, the SRM document should answer your question see this link: Performing Test Recovery of Virtual Machines Across Multiple Hosts on the Recovery Site

The document basically explains that you need to create vDS & PortGroups connected to isolated VLANs then change your Test network settings under Recovery Plan to connect to the created isolated PortGroup

In my experiences, separate vDS is not mandatory especially when you have limited vmnics on your hosts.

You can still share the same vDS but need separate PortGroups on isolated VLANs.

There are two options that I can think to create isolated VLANs

1. Network Virtualisation with VFV

If your physical network supports VRF Virtual routing and forwarding - Wikipedia, you can create a VRF e.g. VRF BUBBLE

Optionally you can create VRF for production if you want to make sure the production is in different network

With VRF, you can connect multi-host & multi-VLAN in isolated environment without impacting the production network.

Your non-virtualised physical servers can also be connected to the VRF if you need to perform some testing

interface Vlan101

  description Production Web

  ip vrf forwarding PRODUCTION

interface Vlan102

  description Production App

  ip vrf forwarding PRODUCTION

interface Vlan201

  description Bubble Web

  ip vrf forwarding BUBBLE

interface Vlan202

  description Bubble App

  ip vrf forwarding BUBBLE

2. Network Virtualisation with VMware NSX

Network Virtualisation such as VMware NSX can create isolated networks & PortGroups using tunnels (VXLAN) and you can have a multi-host networking.

But this requires additional solution which is VMware NSX, depolyment of NSX + VXLAN and prepare your physical network for VXLAN (change MTU to 1600)

[bigdazza75]

Thanks.......

Is a vDS essential, or can this be achieved via vSS?

It still seems quite a risky configuration because you really REALLY don't want to mis-configure the VRFs!

We are indeed limited on physical nics, so our "Bubble" port groups would need to share physical nics with the operational production VMs.

[bigdazza75]

Hi Bayu

wondered if you'd be able to reply to my last question?

Is a vDS essential, or can this be achieved via vSS?

[bayupw · Accepted solution]

Sorry I missed your last reply.

Yes you can do it via vSS without issue.

[bayupw]

Just want to mention that my first reply was talking about SRM Test Networks.

But the methods (VRF or Network Virtualisation) would also applicable without SRM

[bigdazza75]

Thanks very much Bayu. Appreciate the information.