Returning to production after a cloud-hosted disaster recovery scenario

Topic

This article covers the options for restoring back to a production environment after running a virtualized server in the Datto Cloud.

Environment

  • Datto SIRIS
  • Datto ALTO

Description

This method allows the virtualization to be converted into a File Restore or Image export directly in the Recovery Launchpad. It is important to note that this is an irreversible procedure. If the virtualization is converted, it is not possible to revert it to a virtualization. In the case a virtualization is still needed, the restore will need to be removed and re-created.

Procedure

  1. Power down the virtualization in the Recovery Launchpad.

  2. Open the three dot menu on the right hand side to expand the options.

  3. Select Convert to Image Export or Convert to File Restore.

  4. Check the box when prompted, after reading the agreement. Then click Convert.

This process requires the local device to be online and checking in. If it was effected by the disaster scenerio, it will need to be replaced / restored prior to the Virtual Machine restoration from the cloud.

In order to restore the changes in the offsite virtualization using a local restore, the data change will need to be brought down to the local device before proceeding with the restore operation. If the changes are not required, then a local restore can be done from any available restore point for the required protected machine.

Methods to get the changes local to begin the restore:

This method requires:

  • The virtualization to have access to the production LAN.
  • The protected machine was backed up with an agent pairing (DWA/DLA).
  • The Datto device to be able to communicate with the offsite virtualization.

Procedure:

  1. Allow the agent pairing to take backups of the offsite virtualization.

    • The first backup taken this way will need to be a differential merge.

    When ready to perform the restore:

  2. Take a final backup of the virtualization.

  3. Power off the virtualization in the Recovery Launchpad.

  4. Select the desired restore method in the local Recovery tab of the Device Web.

  5. Select the latest restore point of the protected machine.

The offsite virtualization takes manual snapshots of the data change in the cloud. Datto Technical Support can assist in making these changes available locally for use with a restore. The method in which support sends down the change will depend on the number of machines, size of the machine, maintenance window, and size of the data needing to be sent down.

Procedure:

  1. Call Datto Technical Support at the begining of the maintenance window. This will allow the send process to being in a timely manor.

  2. Power off the virtualization in the Recovery Launchpad.

  3. Support will take a final snapshot of the changes.

  4. Support will begin the manual Reverse Send process (or Reverse Roundtrip if determined to be appropriate).

  5. Once the process completes, support will make the most recent snapshot available locally and update the case.

  6. Perform the desired restore method in the local Recovery tab of the Device Web.

Summary of the reverse send process

The reverse send process has 3 parts:

  1. Compressing the point for sending: This compression lessens the download time to the local device. Compression time depends on the compression ratio for the desired server and the amount of data being compressed.
  2. Sending and receiving data: This is the straightforward downloading of the data to the local Datto device.
  3. Unpacking the data: When the local Datto device receives the send file, it will decompress the data. Datto Technical Support will then make the data accessible for restoration.

Additional resources