AZ-104 Exam EP 45: Azure Backup

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on Azure Backup, specifically designed for those preparing for the AZ-104 exam. It covers essential aspects of Azure Backup, including recovery options and implementation strategies for on-premises backups. By following this guide, you will gain a clearer understanding of how to utilize Azure Backup effectively in your cloud environment.

Step 1: Understanding Azure Backup

• Azure Backup is a cloud-based service that helps protect and restore data and applications.
• It offers a variety of backup solutions such as:
  • Virtual Machine backups
  • File and folder backups
  • Application-aware backups for critical applications.

Practical Tip

Familiarize yourself with the Azure portal and the Backup service interface to navigate the setup and management processes efficiently.

Step 2: Exploring Recovery Service Vault Options

• The Recovery Service Vault is a storage entity in Azure that holds backup data.
• Key backup options include:
  • Backup Policy: Configure schedules and retention periods based on your recovery needs.
  • Backup Frequency: Choose between daily, weekly, or monthly backups depending on data change rates.
  • Storage Redundancy: Select redundancy options like Locally Redundant Storage (LRS) or Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS) for data safety.

Common Pitfall

Avoid using a one-size-fits-all backup policy; tailor your backup strategy to specific business requirements and compliance regulations.

Step 3: Implementing On-Premises File and Folder Backups

• Utilize the Azure Backup agent to back up files and folders from on-premises servers.
• Steps to implement:
  1. Install the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services Agent on your on-premises server.
  2. Configure the backup by selecting the files and folders you want to protect.
  3. Schedule the backup according to your preferred frequency.
  4. Monitor the backup jobs within the Azure portal to ensure successful completion.

Practical Tip

Regularly test your backups by performing restore operations to ensure that your data can be recovered when needed.

Step 4: Using the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services Agent

• The Recovery Services Agent is essential for backing up on-premises workloads to Azure.

• Installation steps:

  1. Download the agent from the Azure portal.
  2. Follow the installation wizard instructions to set up the agent on your server.
  3. Connect the agent to your Recovery Service Vault.

• After installation, configure backup schedules and retention policies through the Azure portal.

Key Point

Ensure that your server meets the Azure Backup agent's system requirements before installation to avoid compatibility issues.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned about Azure Backup, including its capabilities, the role of the Recovery Service Vault, and how to implement on-premises backups using the Recovery Services Agent. As a next step, consider setting up a backup environment to practice the concepts covered here. Regularly review and update your backup strategies to align with evolving data protection needs.