TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description
This guide explains how to set up disaster recovery for an existing VMware on-premises environment by replicating workloads to Performance Cloud VMware using Veeam Backup & Replication.
Features
Manage your disaster recovery environment through our Performance Cloud VMware Infrastructure as a Service (or “IaaS”) platform.
Deploy VPN connectivity or Network Virtual Appliances (NVAs) directly from the portal when required.
Replicate workloads to either Premium SSD or Standard HDD storage.
Benefit from the same flexible billing model as Performance Cloud VMware IaaS.
Scale CPU, RAM, storage, and backup services on demand through the Cumulus Account Management Portal and pay only for the resources you use.
Requirements
Before you begin, ensure the following requirements are met:
A Performance Cloud VMware tenant is provisioned in the Cumulus Account Management Portal and has sufficient storage capacity assigned.
To ensure sufficient storage capacity, it is recommended to add at least one storage add-on in Cumulus — either the 256GB Premium SSD Add-on or the 256GB Standard HDD Add-on — based on the storage policy required for the replicas.
The Veeam Activation is provisioned in the Cumulus Account Management portal.
A Veeam Backup & Replication server is deployed, connected to your VMware environment, and meets the Veeam system requirements.
Veeam Backup & Replication Standard Edition (or higher) is required. Community Edition is not supported.
Veeam Backup & Replication v.12.3.2.3617+ and v.13.0.1+
The following outbound network connectivity must be allowed from the Veeam Backup & Replication server:
draas.ca.vspc-cloud.com on TCP 6180
TCP 443 (HTTPS) for certificate validation and secure communications
For VMware and Veeam requirements, refer to the Veeam documentation: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/userguide/vmware_vsphere.html?ver=13
Important Notes
Do not manually power on replicated VMs in Performance Cloud VMware, as this may cause replication issues or data loss.
Before planned Veeam Cloud Connect maintenance, disable replication jobs to prevent unexpected interruptions. Check the Sherweb Status page for maintenance notices.
If your organization already uses Veeam Cloud Connect Backup or Veeam License Rental (VSPC), a separate organization must be created in Cumulus for disaster recovery services.
Configuration
Part 1: Prepare the Performance Cloud VMware Environment
Before configuring Veeam replication, prepare your Performance Cloud VMware environment.
1. Create a vApp
Create a vApp in your target Virtual Data Center (VDC).
Refer to: Create a vApp article.
2. Create Destination Networks
Create the routed network(s) that will be used by the replicated virtual machines.
Refer to: Create routed networks article.
3. Configure Network Connectivity
Configure the networking required for failover operations.
Configure the necessary Firewall and NAT rules on the Edge Gateway.
If required, deploy and configure a Network Virtual Appliance (NVA) instead of using the Edge Gateway services.
Refer to:
Example: In this guide, the replicated VMs will use the existing subnet 192.168.2.0/24 with 192.168.2.1 as the default gateway.
4. (Optional) Preconfigure VPN Connectivity
If VPN connectivity will be required after failover, preconfigure the VPN tunnel(s) on the Edge Gateway.
This allows you to simply enable the VPN connection during a failover event.
Refer to: Configure VPN Tunnels article.
Note: This step does not apply when using an NVA for VPN services.
Part 2: Configure Veeam Cloud Connect Replication
5. Obtain Your Veeam Cloud Connect Configuration
Contact Sherweb to obtain your Veeam Cloud Connect replication configuration.
Wait for the confirmation email indicating that your Veeam Cloud Connect tenant has been linked to your Performance Cloud VMware environment before proceeding.
Note: Tenant provisioning may take up to two business days.
6. Add the Service Provider in Veeam Backup & Replication
Open the Veeam Backup & Replication console.
Navigate to Backup Infrastructure.
Right-click Service Providers and select Add Service Provider.
Enter the server name provided by Sherweb, select Allow this Veeam Backup & Replication installation to be managed by the service provider, then click Next.
Click Add to enter your Performance Cloud VMware credentials, then click Apply.
The username should be as follows org-name\username
Click Next and then Finish.
7. Configure a Replication Job
Navigate to Home in Veeam Backup & Replication
Create a New VMware vSphere replication job
Fill all the required parameters and select Cloud host… as the Destination
Select the Performance Cloud VMware Virtual Data Center (VDC)
Select the vAPP that was created during Step 1 of the configuration steps
Select the storage policy used for the replicas
Finish creating your replication job
Validation and Testing
After the configuration is complete, you can move on to the testing phase.
8. Validate the Replication Job
Run your replication job to get the initial replica.
Confirm that the job has completed successfully.
Validate that the VM is showing in the Ready section under Replicas.
Log in to the Performance Cloud VMware portal to confirm that the powered off virtual machine is showing.
Note: Do not manually power on replicated VMs. This may cause replication issues or data loss.
9. Create a Failover Plan
The Failover plan is required to enable the DR site when the Veeam Backup & Replication console is not accessible
Navigate to Home in Veeam Backup & Replication.
Create a new Cloud Connect (vCloud) failover plan.
Add your replicated virtual machines to your failover plan.
Note: The order will set the boot order of your virtual machines.
(Optional) Set a boot delay if needed.
10. Perform a Test Failover
Log in to Cumulus and add the required number of CPU and memory add-ons to cover your failover needs. See this article for guidance.
Test your failover by either starting it on an individual virtual machine or by starting your failover plan.
Log in to the Performance Cloud VMware portal to confirm that the virtual machine is running.
Validate that everything is working as needed.
Undo the failover or failover plan in the Veeam Backup & Replication console.
Emergency - Activate Disaster Recovery
Log in to Cumulus and add the required number of CPU and memory add-ons to cover your failover needs. See this article for guidance.
Veeam backup & Replication console is accessible.
Start your failover plan or failover an individual virtual machine.
Veeam backup & Replication console is not accessible.
Connect to VSPC and start the failover plan.
Note: Do not hesitate to contact Sherweb support if any help is needed.
Return to Production
Go to the Replicas section in the Veeam backup & Replication console.
Navigate to Active and select Failback to Production on your replica (Will consolidate the replica to the production).
OR
Navigate to Active or Failover Plan and select Undo failover or Undo (Will discard all changes).
Note: If the production site is compromised, contact Sherweb for assistance.