Which requirement is MOST essential when implementing Storage Replica?

When implementing Storage Replica, the primary requirement is that both storage devices must be configured as GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks. This is because Storage Replica is designed to work with modern storage architectures that require disks to be formatted using the GPT partitioning scheme. GPT allows for more extensive storage capabilities than the older MBR (Master Boot Record) format, such as support for larger disk sizes and more partitions.

Ensuring that both devices use GPT is crucial because Storage Replica relies on the ability to replicate large volumes of data efficiently and effectively between source and destination servers. If one of the devices were to use MBR instead of GPT, it could lead to issues with volume management and replication, resulting in potential data loss or incompatibility during the replication process.

Options based on other requirements such as SSD usage, RAID configuration, or manufacturer uniformity can be beneficial depending on the specific implementation scenario but are not fundamental requirements for the functionality of Storage Replica itself. The key factor that enables Storage Replica to function properly across devices is that both must be set up with GPT disks.