In Hyper-V to Azure (H2A) disaster recovery scenarios, the proper installation and version alignment of the Microsoft Azure Site Recovery (ASR) Provider and the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) Agent are crucial for successful replication. Misalignment can lead to replication failures and unsupported configurations. This post highlights the importance of aligning these components and provides guidance on the correct versions to use.

Understanding the Components

• ASR Provider: Installed on each Hyper-V host, the ASR Provider facilitates the replication of virtual machines to Azure.
• MARS Agent: Bundled with the ASR Provider, the MARS Agent handles data transfer and encryption during replication. It is also used independently for file and folder backups in different disaster recovery scenarios.

Why Version Alignment Matters

Because the MARS Agent is used in various backup and recovery scenarios, users might download it from different sources. Installing mismatched versions can disrupt the Hyper-V to Azure replication process.

• If the MARS Agent version is lower than what the ASR Provider supports:
  • Replication generally continues to work.
• If the MARS Agent version is higher than what the ASR Provider supports:
  • Replication may fail due to incompatibility issues.

Important: We do not support using both backup solutions (standalone MARS Agent, Microsoft Azure Backup Server [MABS], or Data Protection Manager [DPM]) and ASR on the same machine.

Installation Notes

• Hyper-V to Azure (H2A) Scenario:
  • Both the ASR Provider and the MARS Agent are installed on the Hyper-V host.
• VMM to Azure (VMM2A) Scenario:
  • The ASR Provider is installed on the VMM server.
  • The MARS Agent is installed on the Hyper-V host.

Current Versions:

To ensure smooth replication, use the following table to cross-check the ASR Provider and its corresponding MARS Agent versions. Please note that when you click on the download links, you may receive the latest available versions rather than the specific versions listed in the table below.

Important: Always ensure that the versions of the ASR Provider and MARS Agent are compatible. Downloading the latest versions is recommended, but verify that they align with each other to prevent any replication issues.

Best Practices

• Always Download Together: Install the MARS Agent that comes bundled with the ASR Provider to ensure compatibility.
• Avoid Mixing Backup Solutions: Do not install both the backup agent (MARS standalone, MABS, or DPM) and the ASR Provider on the same machine, as this configuration is unsupported and may lead to failures.
• Consistent Updates: Regularly check for updates to both the ASR Provider and MARS Agent to keep your disaster recovery environment secure and efficient.

Conclusion

Aligning the versions of the Azure Site Recovery Provider and the MARS Agent is essential for the reliability of your Hyper-V to Azure disaster recovery setup. By following the recommended practices and using the specified versions, you can prevent replication issues and maintain a robust disaster recovery strategy.

Note: Always refer to the official Microsoft documentation and download links provided to obtain the latest supported versions.