Use Case: Architecting a Disaster Recovery Plan for Horizon on VMware Cloud on AWS

Introduction

After architecting disaster recovery solutions for VMware Horizon deployments across dozens of organizations, I’ve learned that successful DR planning requires more than just technical implementation—it demands a comprehensive understanding of business requirements, recovery objectives, and the unique challenges of virtual desktop infrastructure in cloud environments.

In this comprehensive use case, I’ll walk you through architecting a robust disaster recovery plan for VMware Horizon on VMware Cloud on AWS. This isn’t theoretical guidance—it’s based on real-world implementations I’ve designed and deployed for organizations ranging from regional businesses to global enterprises with thousands of virtual desktops.

The combination of VMware Horizon and VMware Cloud on AWS provides unprecedented opportunities for disaster recovery, but it also introduces complexity that requires careful planning and execution. You’ll learn not just what to implement, but why each decision matters and how to avoid the common pitfalls I’ve encountered in production deployments.

Understanding Horizon DR Requirements

Business Continuity Fundamentals

Before diving into technical architecture, you must understand your organization’s business continuity requirements. In my experience, many Horizon DR projects fail because they focus on technical capabilities without aligning to business needs.

Recovery Time Objective (RTO): This defines how quickly your virtual desktop environment must be operational after a disaster. For Horizon deployments, I typically see RTOs ranging from 4 hours for non-critical environments to 30 minutes for mission-critical operations.

Recovery Point Objective (RPO): This determines how much data loss is acceptable. For virtual desktops with persistent data, RPOs often range from 15 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the criticality of user data and applications.

User Experience Requirements: Consider the acceptable degradation in user experience during DR scenarios. This includes reduced desktop performance, limited application availability, and potential workflow changes.

Horizon-Specific DR Challenges

Virtual desktop infrastructure presents unique disaster recovery challenges that don’t exist in traditional server environments:

User State Persistence: Unlike stateless applications, virtual desktops contain user-specific data, settings, and application states that must be preserved and recovered.

Scale Considerations: Horizon environments often support hundreds or thousands of concurrent users. DR solutions must handle this scale while maintaining acceptable performance.

Application Dependencies: Virtual desktops depend on numerous infrastructure components including Active Directory, file servers, application servers, and network services.

Licensing Complexity: DR scenarios must account for Microsoft Windows licensing, application licensing, and VMware licensing across primary and secondary sites.

VMware Cloud on AWS Architecture Overview

Understanding the Platform

VMware Cloud on AWS provides a unique platform for Horizon disaster recovery by offering native VMware infrastructure in AWS data centers. Based on my experience with multiple VMware Cloud deployments, this platform offers several advantages for DR scenarios:

Native VMware Integration: VMware Cloud on AWS runs the same vSphere, vSAN, and NSX technologies as your on-premises environment, simplifying replication and failover procedures.

Elastic Scaling: The platform allows rapid scaling of compute and storage resources, essential for accommodating disaster recovery workloads.

AWS Service Integration: Access to native AWS services like S3, Route 53, and Direct Connect enhances DR capabilities and provides additional recovery options.

Network Architecture Considerations

Network design is critical for successful Horizon DR on VMware Cloud on AWS. Navigate to the VMware Cloud console at vmc.vmware.com to begin planning your network architecture.

Connectivity Options: In the VMware Cloud console, under Networking & Security → VPN, you’ll find multiple connectivity options:

Route-Based VPN: Suitable for smaller deployments with moderate bandwidth requirements
Policy-Based VPN: Provides more granular control over traffic routing
AWS Direct Connect: Essential for large-scale deployments requiring consistent, high-bandwidth connectivity

Segment Configuration: Under Networking & Security → Segments, create network segments that mirror your on-premises Horizon infrastructure:

Management segment for vCenter, Connection Servers, and infrastructure components
Desktop segment for virtual desktop workloads
Application segment for published applications and RDS hosts
User access segment for external connectivity and load balancing

Disaster Recovery Architecture Design

Multi-Site Architecture Patterns

Based on my experience designing Horizon DR solutions, I recommend one of three architectural patterns depending on your requirements and budget:

Active-Passive Configuration: This is the most common pattern I implement for cost-conscious organizations. The primary site handles all production workloads, while the VMware Cloud on AWS environment remains in standby mode.

Active-Active Configuration: For organizations requiring minimal downtime, this pattern distributes workloads across both sites. Users can access desktops from either location, providing both load distribution and disaster recovery capabilities.

Pilot Light Configuration: A middle-ground approach where core infrastructure components run continuously in VMware Cloud on AWS, but desktop workloads remain dormant until needed.

Component-Level Architecture

Let me walk you through the specific components and their placement in a typical Horizon DR architecture:

Connection Server Architecture: In the vSphere Client connected to your VMware Cloud environment, navigate to Hosts and Clusters to plan your Connection Server placement:

Deploy at least two Connection Servers in the DR site for redundancy
Configure Connection Server replicas to synchronize with the primary site
Implement load balancing using VMware Cloud on AWS load balancer services

Composer and Instant Clone Architecture: Under VMs and Templates in the vSphere Client, plan your master image and replica placement:

Replicate master images to VMware Cloud on AWS using vSphere Replication
Configure Instant Clone parent VMs in the DR site
Plan for rapid desktop provisioning during failover scenarios

Data Protection and Replication Strategy

vSphere Replication Configuration

vSphere Replication provides the foundation for protecting your Horizon infrastructure. In the vSphere Client, navigate to Configure → vSphere Replication to begin configuration.

Replication Planning: Based on my experience, prioritize replication for these components:

High Priority (RPO 15-30 minutes): Connection Servers, Composer servers, master images
Medium Priority (RPO 1-4 hours): Infrastructure VMs, management components
Low Priority (RPO 4-24 hours): Non-critical supporting systems

Replication Configuration Process:

Right-click on the VM you want to protect
Select All vSphere Replication Actions → Configure Replication
Choose your VMware Cloud on AWS environment as the target site
Configure RPO settings based on business requirements
Select appropriate storage policy for replicated data
Enable guest OS quiescing for application-consistent snapshots

User Data Protection Strategy

Protecting user data requires a multi-layered approach that goes beyond VM replication:

Profile Management: Configure VMware Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) or Microsoft User Profile Disks to centralize user profile data. In the Horizon Administrator console, navigate to Policies → Profile Management:

Configure profile repositories on replicated file servers
Implement profile streaming to reduce logon times
Configure profile backup and versioning
Test profile restoration procedures regularly

Home Directory Replication: For organizations using traditional home directories, implement file-level replication:

Use DFS Replication for Windows-based file servers
Configure appropriate replication schedules based on change rates
Monitor replication health and resolve conflicts promptly
Test file restoration procedures regularly

Site Recovery Manager Integration

SRM Configuration and Setup

VMware Site Recovery Manager provides orchestrated disaster recovery for your Horizon environment. In the vSphere Client, navigate to Site Recovery to begin SRM configuration.

Site Pairing Configuration:

Navigate to Site Recovery → Open Site Recovery
Click New Site Pair to connect your on-premises and VMware Cloud environments
Configure authentication between sites using appropriate credentials
Verify connectivity and certificate exchange

Array Manager Configuration: Under Array Managers, configure storage replication:

Add your storage array managers for both sites
Configure replication relationships between storage systems
Verify storage mapping and LUN relationships
Test storage failover procedures

Protection Group Creation

Protection groups define which VMs are protected together and their recovery dependencies. Navigate to Protection Groups in the Site Recovery interface:

Horizon Infrastructure Protection Group:

Click New Protection Group
Select vSphere Replication as the replication type
Add Connection Servers, Composer servers, and infrastructure VMs
Configure VM dependencies and startup order
Define network mappings for the recovery site

Desktop Pool Protection Groups: Create separate protection groups for different desktop pools:

Group VMs by similar recovery requirements and dependencies
Configure appropriate recovery priorities
Define custom recovery scripts for application-specific requirements

Recovery Plan Development

Recovery Plan Architecture

Recovery plans orchestrate the failover process and ensure proper startup sequencing. In Site Recovery Manager, navigate to Recovery Plans to create comprehensive recovery procedures.

Recovery Plan Structure: Based on my experience, structure recovery plans in this order:

Priority 1: Infrastructure services (DNS, DHCP, Active Directory)
Priority 2: Horizon infrastructure (Connection Servers, Composer)
Priority 3: Supporting services (file servers, application servers)
Priority 4: Desktop pools and published applications

Recovery Plan Configuration:

Click New Recovery Plan
Select the protection groups to include
Configure VM startup order and dependencies
Add custom recovery steps and scripts
Define network reconfiguration procedures
Configure post-recovery validation steps

Custom Recovery Scripts

Horizon environments often require custom scripts to handle application-specific recovery tasks. Create these scripts to handle common recovery scenarios:

Connection Server Recovery Script: This script handles Connection Server-specific recovery tasks:

Verify Connection Server service status
Update load balancer configurations
Validate desktop pool configurations
Test user authentication and desktop assignment

Desktop Pool Validation Script: Automate desktop pool validation after recovery:

Verify master image availability and configuration
Validate Instant Clone parent VM status
Test desktop provisioning and user assignment
Verify application publishing and entitlements

Network Configuration and Load Balancing

Load Balancer Configuration

Proper load balancing is essential for user access during disaster recovery scenarios. In the VMware Cloud console, navigate to Networking & Security → Load Balancing.

Connection Server Load Balancing:

Click Add Load Balancer
Configure a new load balancer for Connection Server access
Add Connection Servers as pool members
Configure health checks to monitor Connection Server availability
Set up SSL termination and certificate management

Health Check Configuration: Configure comprehensive health checks to ensure proper failover:

HTTP health checks for Connection Server web services
TCP health checks for PCoIP and Blast protocols
Custom health checks for application-specific requirements

DNS and Traffic Management

DNS configuration is critical for seamless user experience during disaster recovery. Configure DNS to support automatic failover:

DNS Failover Configuration: Use AWS Route 53 or your existing DNS infrastructure:

Configure health checks for your primary Horizon environment
Create DNS records with automatic failover to VMware Cloud on AWS
Set appropriate TTL values to minimize failover time
Test DNS failover procedures regularly

Certificate Management: Plan certificate requirements for the DR environment:

Use wildcard certificates to simplify management
Ensure certificates are valid for both primary and DR site FQDNs
Implement automated certificate renewal procedures
Test certificate validation during failover scenarios

Storage Architecture and Performance

vSAN Configuration in VMware Cloud

VMware Cloud on AWS uses vSAN for storage, which provides excellent performance and resilience for Horizon workloads. In the vSphere Client, navigate to Configure → vSAN to optimize storage configuration.

Storage Policy Configuration: Create storage policies optimized for different Horizon workload types:

Navigate to Policies and Profiles → VM Storage Policies
Create policies for different VM types:

Infrastructure VMs: High availability with RAID-1 mirroring
Master Images: High performance with RAID-0 striping
Desktop VMs: Balanced performance and capacity

Apply appropriate policies during VM provisioning

Performance Optimization: Configure vSAN for optimal Horizon performance:

Enable deduplication and compression for capacity optimization
Configure appropriate cache ratios for read/write performance
Monitor storage performance and adjust policies as needed
Plan for growth and scaling requirements

Backup and Archive Strategy

Implement comprehensive backup strategies that complement your disaster recovery solution:

VM-Level Backups: Use Veeam Backup & Replication or similar solutions:

Configure backup jobs for critical infrastructure VMs
Implement application-aware backups for database systems
Store backup data in AWS S3 for long-term retention
Test restore procedures regularly

Configuration Backups: Backup Horizon configuration data:

Export Horizon Administrator configuration regularly
Backup Connection Server databases
Document custom configurations and integrations
Store configuration backups in multiple locations

Testing and Validation Procedures

Disaster Recovery Testing Framework

Regular testing is essential for ensuring your DR solution works when needed. Based on my experience, implement a comprehensive testing framework:

Monthly Testing:

Test individual VM failover using vSphere Replication
Validate backup and restore procedures
Test network connectivity and DNS failover
Verify monitoring and alerting systems

Quarterly Testing:

Execute complete Site Recovery Manager recovery plans
Test end-to-end user access and desktop functionality
Validate application performance and availability
Conduct failback procedures and data synchronization

Annual Testing:

Conduct full-scale disaster recovery exercises
Test extended outage scenarios
Validate business continuity procedures
Review and update recovery documentation

Test Automation and Validation

Automate testing procedures to ensure consistency and reduce manual effort:

Automated Test Scripts: Develop scripts to validate recovery procedures:

Connection Server availability and functionality
Desktop pool status and provisioning
User authentication and desktop assignment
Application publishing and entitlements

Performance Validation: Implement automated performance testing:

Desktop logon time measurements
Application launch performance
Network latency and throughput testing
Storage performance validation

Monitoring and Alerting

Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy

Implement monitoring that covers both primary and disaster recovery environments. Use VMware vRealize Operations or similar tools to monitor your Horizon infrastructure.

Infrastructure Monitoring: Configure monitoring for critical components:

Connection Server health and performance
vCenter and ESXi host status
Storage performance and capacity
Network connectivity and latency

Replication Monitoring: Monitor replication health and status:

vSphere Replication status and RPO compliance
Site Recovery Manager health checks
Storage replication status and lag
Network connectivity between sites

Alerting and Escalation

Configure comprehensive alerting to ensure rapid response to issues:

Critical Alerts: Configure immediate notification for:

Primary site outages or connectivity loss
Replication failures or RPO violations
Connection Server failures or service disruptions
Storage capacity or performance issues

Escalation Procedures: Define clear escalation paths:

Level 1: Operations team notification and initial response
Level 2: Technical team engagement and troubleshooting
Level 3: Management notification and disaster declaration
Level 4: Full disaster recovery activation

Security Considerations

Security Architecture in DR Environment

Maintain security standards in your disaster recovery environment that match or exceed your primary site:

Network Security: Configure NSX security policies in VMware Cloud on AWS:

Navigate to Networking & Security → Security → Distributed Firewall
Replicate security policies from your primary environment
Configure micro-segmentation for desktop and application traffic
Implement intrusion detection and prevention

Access Controls: Implement comprehensive access controls:

Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
Role-based access control for recovery operations
Audit logging for all recovery activities
Secure communication channels between sites

Compliance and Audit Requirements

Ensure your DR solution meets regulatory and compliance requirements:

Data Protection: Implement appropriate data protection measures:

Encryption in transit and at rest
Data residency and sovereignty requirements
Backup encryption and secure storage
Secure data destruction procedures

Audit Trail: Maintain comprehensive audit trails:

Recovery operation logging and documentation
Access control and authentication logs
Configuration change tracking
Regular compliance assessments and reporting

Cost Optimization Strategies

VMware Cloud on AWS Cost Management

Disaster recovery can be expensive if not properly managed. Implement cost optimization strategies:

Right-Sizing Resources: In the VMware Cloud console, monitor resource utilization:

Use appropriate instance types for different workload requirements
Implement auto-scaling for variable workloads
Schedule non-critical resources to reduce costs
Monitor and optimize storage utilization

Reserved Capacity: Use reserved instances for predictable workloads:

Analyze usage patterns to identify reservation opportunities
Purchase reserved capacity for steady-state DR infrastructure
Use on-demand capacity for burst requirements
Monitor reservation utilization and adjust as needed

Operational Cost Optimization

Automation: Reduce operational costs through automation:

Automate routine testing and validation procedures
Implement self-service recovery capabilities where appropriate
Use infrastructure as code for consistent deployments
Automate monitoring and alerting procedures

Resource Sharing: Optimize resource utilization:

Share DR infrastructure across multiple applications
Use multi-tenant architectures where appropriate
Implement resource pooling and dynamic allocation
Optimize licensing across primary and DR sites

Operational Procedures and Documentation

Standard Operating Procedures

Develop comprehensive operational procedures for disaster recovery scenarios:

Disaster Declaration Procedures:

Define criteria for disaster declaration
Establish decision-making authority and escalation paths
Create communication templates and contact lists
Document approval processes and sign-offs

Recovery Execution Procedures:

Step-by-step recovery plan execution
Validation and testing procedures
User communication and support procedures
Monitoring and troubleshooting guidelines

Documentation and Knowledge Management

Maintain comprehensive documentation for your DR solution:

Technical Documentation:

Architecture diagrams and component relationships
Configuration details and dependencies
Network diagrams and connectivity requirements
Troubleshooting guides and known issues

Operational Documentation:

Recovery procedures and checklists
Contact information and escalation procedures
Communication templates and user guides
Training materials and certification requirements

Continuous Improvement and Optimization

Performance Monitoring and Analysis

Continuously monitor and optimize your DR solution:

Performance Metrics: Track key performance indicators:

Recovery time objectives and actual recovery times
Recovery point objectives and data loss measurements
User experience metrics during DR scenarios
Infrastructure performance and capacity utilization

Regular Reviews: Conduct regular solution reviews:

Monthly operational reviews and metrics analysis
Quarterly architecture reviews and optimization
Annual strategic reviews and planning
Post-incident reviews and lessons learned

Technology Evolution and Updates

Stay current with technology improvements and best practices:

Technology Updates:

Monitor VMware product roadmaps and new features
Evaluate new AWS services and capabilities
Assess third-party tools and integrations
Plan for technology refresh and migration

Best Practice Evolution:

Participate in industry forums and user groups
Attend conferences and training sessions
Engage with vendors and technology partners
Share experiences and learn from peers

Conclusion

Architecting a comprehensive disaster recovery solution for VMware Horizon on VMware Cloud on AWS requires careful planning, systematic implementation, and ongoing optimization. The combination of these technologies provides powerful capabilities for protecting virtual desktop infrastructure, but success depends on understanding both the technical requirements and business objectives.

Based on my experience with dozens of similar implementations, the key to success lies in thorough planning, comprehensive testing, and commitment to ongoing improvement. Organizations that invest in proper architecture design, operational procedures, and regular testing typically achieve their recovery objectives and maintain user productivity during disaster scenarios.

The integration between VMware Horizon and VMware Cloud on AWS continues to evolve, providing new capabilities and optimization opportunities. Staying current with these developments and continuously refining your DR strategy ensures your organization remains prepared for any disaster scenario while optimizing costs and maintaining security standards.

Remember that disaster recovery is not a one-time project but an ongoing operational capability. Regular testing, documentation updates, and technology refresh ensure your DR solution continues to meet business requirements as your organization grows and evolves. The investment in comprehensive disaster recovery planning pays dividends in business continuity, regulatory compliance, and peace of mind.