ADEDAYO1880 seeks guidance on replicating VMware workloads to Azure using Azure Site Recovery, covering database replication, application server strategies, security integration, backup practices, and DR tests.

Replicating VMware Workloads to Azure Using Azure Site Recovery (ASR)

Author: ADEDAYO1880

Overview

This discussion centers on replicating workloads hosted on VMware infrastructure to Azure using Azure Site Recovery (ASR) for disaster recovery purposes. It involves more than 80 VMs (both Linux and Windows) and several database platforms.

Current Environment

80+ VMs hosted on VMware vSphere
Operating Systems: Linux, Windows Server
Databases: Oracle DB, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL

Requirements

Seamless failover and disaster recovery
Scalable setup to handle large workloads
Zero downtime during replication and failover
Integration with Microsoft Entra ID for identity and access management
Recovery Time Objective (RTO): less than 2 hours
Recovery Point Objective (RPO): greater than 15 minutes
Backup strategies:
- Critical databases: every 3 hours
- Application servers: daily (incremental), weekly (full)
- Transaction logs: every 10 minutes
- Configuration backups: daily

Key Questions & Discussion Points

Database Replication (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL):
- Seeks best method for seamless, low-downtime replication of heterogeneous databases to Azure.
- Official Azure Site Recovery Guide
Application Server Replication Approach:
- Discussion of techniques/tools for replicating application servers.
Security Tool Integration:
- Wants advice on integrating an existing on-premise third-party firewall, rather than relying solely on Azure-native security tools.
Cost Optimization:
- Looking for techniques to minimize the cost of DR in Azure.
Disaster Recovery Drills:
- Requests best practices for conducting non-disruptive DR tests.

Additional Notes

Identity and access management is to be tightly integrated with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
The environment emphasizes both operational resilience and technical efficiency.
Cost and operational best practices are key considerations.

Potential Implementation Insights (Community Input Needed)

Evaluate Azure Site Recovery capabilities and compatibility with the described VM and database types.
Consider native Azure backup solutions for databases alongside ASR.
Explore options for firewall integration—possible use of third-party network virtual appliances in Azure.
Assess automation options for DR drills (using ASR’s test failover features).
Use Azure Cost Management and reserved instances where feasible for optimization.

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