# Fix the Site Recovery appliance's address choice before registration

> Which appliance identity and installation choices should be settled before configuring modernized VMware or physical-server recovery?

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260909-456-fix-the-site-recovery-appliance-s-address-choice-before-registration/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-09-10T00:24:20+00:00
- Modified: 2026-09-10T02:08:04+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-09-09
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: Business Continuity, Networks & Infrastructure
- Reading time: 2 minutes

## What you need to know

Which appliance identity and installation choices should be settled before configuring modernized VMware or physical-server recovery?

## Potentially affected

Use these requirements when preparing a replication appliance for VMware or physical-server disaster recovery to Azure. Ask the platform and network owners to agree on the intended endpoint and operating-system build before handing the machine to the recovery operator.

## DSE recommendation

Include the address choice in the appliance deployment approval, not as a temporary value chosen during setup.

## Article

## Source facts

The Site Recovery replication appliance supports an FQDN or NAT IP selection that cannot be changed later. Microsoft also requires installing its operating system with the English locale; switching the locale after installation can cause issues. The appliance requirements specify Windows Server 2022 with Desktop Experience and prohibit adding AD DS, IIS, or Hyper-V server roles. [Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/vmware-physical-azure-support-matrix).

## Applicability

Use these requirements when preparing a replication appliance for VMware or physical-server disaster recovery to Azure. Ask the platform and network owners to agree on the intended endpoint and operating-system build before handing the machine to the recovery operator.

## DSE recommendation

Include the address choice in the appliance deployment approval, not as a temporary value chosen during setup. Record the planned FQDN or NAT IP, its ownership, and any expected network redesign. Confirm the installation language from the original operating-system deployment and keep unrelated server-role requests outside this appliance’s design.

## Verification

Before configuration, compare the actual host with the approved address and installation record. Check the selected operating-system edition, locale, and installed roles against the current appliance requirements. If a mismatch is discovered, stop and establish a supported correction path rather than assuming that a later rename, locale conversion, or additional role will be harmless. Retain the final approved identity with the appliance’s recovery documentation so future network changes receive the same review.

## Official references

[Microsoft Learn: Support matrix for VMware/physical disaster recovery in Azure Site Recovery](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/vmware-physical-azure-support-matrix).

## Primary reference

- Name: Support matrix for VMware/physical disaster recovery in Azure Site Recovery. - Azure Site Recovery | Microsoft Learn
- Authority: Microsoft Learn
- URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/vmware-physical-azure-support-matrix
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Fix the Site Recovery appliance's address choice before registration,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260909-456-fix-the-site-recovery-appliance-s-address-choice-before-registration/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
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