You can move the virtual machines in a virtual protection group to the remote site, whereby the virtual machines are replicated. As part of the process you can also set up reverse replication, whereby you create a virtual protection group on the remote site for the virtual machines being moved, pointing back to the original site. This is commonly used, for example, when the protected site has planned downtime.

Note: A move differs from a failover in that with a move you cannot select a checkpoint to restore the virtual machine to.  Also, to ensure complete data integrity, the protected virtual machines are powered off completely and a final checkpoint is created so that there is no data loss before the move in committed.

To initiate a move:

  1. In the Zerto User Interface click Move
    1. The move wizard is displayed.
  2. Select the VPGs to move from the list.
    1. dialog box
    2. Note:  You can initiate the Move operation from either the protected site or recovery site UI.
  3. Click Next
  4. Specify the commit policy
    1. Check the commit policy checkbox.  If this is not checked, the move must be manually committed or rolled back by the user
    2. Specify the action you want, either Commit or Rollback, which happens after a specified time.
    3. Specify the amount of time, before the commit or rollback action is performed.
  5. If you want to set up reverse protection, check the Reverse Protection check for the VPG and then click the Configure link.
    1. VPG dialog

      You can edit the configuration
      1. You cannot add or remove virtual machines to the reverse protection VPG
      2. Reverse protection is to the orginal hosts and protected disks
  6. Specify if you want the virtual machines in the VPG to be forcibly shut down by checking the Force Shutdown checkbox.
  7. Click Next
  8. Click the Move arrow to start the migration