A data storage system in a cluster of storage systems provides virtual-volume data storage to virtual-computing (VC) hosts. A storage container is created for use as a logical grouping of virtual volumes (VVols), and \the storage container is paired as a source storage container with a target storage container on a remote target data storage system. The pairing identifies the target storage container to be used for storing a replica of a replication group of VVols to be stored in the source storage container. When a VVol having a requirement for protection by replication is created, it is placed in a replication group of the source storage container. Subsequently, based on the VVol being a member of the replication group of the source storage container, the VVol is replicated to a target replication group of the target storage container of the remote data storage system.