I have vmware essential plus with three servers connected to netapp SAN.
We bought new Dell server and planning to install standalone ESX server which will only be used for keeping replicated VM from the main cluster. If the cluster with Three ESX fails we will at least have critical VM replicated which could be brought on line to achieve quicker RTO.
Would this setup work for replicating critical VM to new standalone server with free ESX?
I'm afraid that you need license for both servers => https://docs.vmware.com/en/vSphere-Replication/8.2/com.vmware.vsphere.replication-admin.doc/GUID-EEA...
vSphere Replication does not have a separate license as it is a feature of certain vSphere license editions.
vSphere Essentials Plus
vSphere Standard
vSphere Enterprise
vSphere Enterprise Plus
If you have the correct vSphere license, there is no limit on the number of virtual machines that you can replicate by using vSphere Replication.
If I have vSphere Essentials Plus on one cluster. The other single ESX host I am trying to replicate to also needs to be have vSphere Essentials Plus?
yes, you need to have at least vSphere Essentials Plus on both esxi hosts