Fix the Site Recovery appliance's address choice before registration

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.

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.