VMware SRM5: clean up the recovery site after test

Hello all,
in my previous post I've tested SRM5 in the "Test mode" without disrupting production in protected site.

After the test one of the most important thing to do is "house keeping" at the Recovery Site.

While in the previous version of SRM, it was a quite manual task, SRM5 shows in the VI Client installed plugin, the "Clenup" button.

I've tested the quality of this feature in the below video and the result was very good.

Enjoy the video: and keep and eye on the part in which SRM5 automatically remove fenced vSwitch from host(s) networking configuration and when the replicated LUN "snapshot" get removed from host(s) storge configuration




I will test SRM5 with a "real disaster" brutally shutting down the Protected Site Storage Area Network (HP P4000 VSA) and I will document the results in the next post(s) cheers \mf

Testing SRM5 without powering off the production

One of the best feature of VMware SRM is the ability to test the DR plan without disrupting the production.
I've tested it in my home lab with the environment depicted in the previous posts.

In the videos below you can see what happens at the recovery site when a test plan gets triggered (test button pressed) and what happens (well... Does not happen is better) at the protected site.

You must keep your attention at the creation of visible LUN and at the automatic setup of the fenced vSwitch at the recovery site.




What is happening during test t the protected site?



cheers
\mf

Configuring VMware SRM 5

Hello all,

It's now time to configure SRM 5.

I've created some Ubuntu Virtual machines and stored them as with thi format disks on the P4000 VSA that's replicating every 30 minutes on the recovery site.

Installation of the HP StorageWorks P4000 SRA for VMware SRM it's matter of minutes and it's very well explained at this link .

About 20 minutes are needed (based on my small environment) for:

• Pairing the sites
• Mapping the resources for both sites
• Creating protection group(s)
• Creating the recovery plan(s)

Enjoy the video



cheers
\mf

Installing VMware SRM 5

Now it's time to install SRM 5 on both the vCenter Servers.
The lab is now configured as per table below:  remember that you must install one instance on SRM on each site
<>

Protected site	Recovery site
prodvc - 192.168.9.115	drvc - 192.168.9.105
prodesx - 192.168.9.116	dresx - 192.168.9.106
prodvsa - 192.168.9.117	drvsa - 192.168.9.107
prodiscsi - 192.168.9.118	driscsi - 192.168.9.108

I've installed VMware SRM 5 as per video below.



enjoy and stay tuned for the Configuring SRM 5 post coming next.

cheers
\mf

Installing HP P4000 (Lefthand) and configure replication

Hello all,
Last Sunday I got the idea to test VMware SRM 5 on my home lab based on VMware Workstation 8.

Protected site:
First of all I've installed an ESXi host, prodesx, and a vCenter server, prodvc.

Recovery site: installed an ESXi host, dresx, and a second vCenter server, drvc

I've added one additional disk to each ESXi, sized 80 GBytes, and located on SSD disk of my powerful desktop. Those two disks will host the HP P4000 VSA virtual machines, one at the protected site and one at the recovery site

Then I've started installing HP P4000 virtual SAN Appliance to have an environment that let me store the virtual machines at the protected site and replicate them in to the recovery site.

Look at the video below to see how I've configured it to host VMs and to replicate at the recovery site.



After that I was ready to install SRM 5 on both vCenter Server

Stay tuned for next posts.

Cheers
\mf

General Availability of VMware ESX/ESXi 3.5, 4.0, 4.1 and 5.0

i've Just got an email from Vmware about new patch release

We are pleased to inform you that new VMware ESX/ESXi Patches are available as of May 3, 2012. These patches address several critical security issues. Detailed information regarding resolved and known issues and enhancements can be found in these Knowledge Base articles: 3.5 EP2 Patch Release Notes: ESX: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019535 ESXi: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019537 4.0 EP7 Patch Release Notes: ESX: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019853 ESXi: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019855 4.1 EP2-1 Patch Release Notes: ESX: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019859 ESXi: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019860 5.0 EP3 Patch Release Notes: ESXi: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2019857 VMware ESX/ESXi Patches are available for download at http://www.vmware.com/patch/download/.

Cheers \mf

Winners of the vRaffle...

Hello all,
very few people partecipate to the vRaffle...

winners (and only partecipants) are:

first prize: Dwayne Lessner
second prize: Stefano Vesa
third prize: Andrew Mauro

thanks to all
regards
\mf

VMware Press launches sweepstakes : May 1st to June 30th

I've received an email from VMware press that announce the launch of Sweepstakes.
you must enter from May 1st to June 30th May 1st to June 30th

VMware Press Launches Sweepstakes!
VMware Press, the official publisher of VMware books and training materials, has launched a 60 day Facebook sweepstakes beginning May 1 and running through June 30th. Prize offerings include a $100 Amazon gift card and three VMware Press books of the winner’s choice; nine second prize winners will win an eBook of their choice. Good luck - enter now!
http://ow.ly/aBkvE

chees
\mf