Using Azure Backup Server
Until now, we discussed backup capabilities in Azure using managed resources. This path allows us to secure workloads that work natively in Azure (that is, Azure VMs; Azure SQL runs as SQL Server on Azure VM; Azure Files storage), but in scenarios where we have non-native resources, we need to seek another solution. This is where Microsoft Azure Backup Server (MABS) comes into play.
Using Azure Backup Server is a more advanced operation as it involves installing additional software and managing it by ourselves (as opposed to using Azure Recovery Services vaults integrated with managed workloads). In general, this approach can be used for the following services:
- VMs managed by Hyper-V
- VMs managed by VMware
- Azure Stack HCI
- Microsoft SQL Server
- SharePoint Server
- Microsoft Exchange
As you can see, those workloads are mostly connected to services running on-premises in many common setups available in lots of projects. For some of those, you could consider performing a migration to Azure so that they can be integrated with managed backups, but that’s not always the case. If you cannot migrate (or just don’t want to) but still want to leverage Azure capabilities, you need to understand how Azure Backup Server may satisfy your requirements.
Installation platforms
Azure Backup Server can be used to secure two generic workloads:
- Machines running on-premises
- Azure VMs
You may wonder why you’d use it for securing Azure VMs when there are Recovery Services vaults available for that. It all depends on the characteristics of your infrastructure and the type of workloads that are the majority of available machines. If most of your workloads are services not supported by standard vaults, you may want to go for Azure Backup Server for a consistent user and configuration experience. What’s more, Azure Backup Server works with the Classic deployment mode of resources in Azure (which is a legacy mode), which makes it suitable for older workloads.
No matter which installation platform is chosen, you need to remember that a machine running Azure Backup Server and machines you’d like to back up need to be in the same domain. There’s also a requirement that this machine should have at least 2 cores and 8 GB of RAM available. Let’s see how to approach the process of installing Azure Backup Server and configuring it on a machine.
Installation of Azure Backup Server
To install and configure Azure Backup Server, we’ll need a dedicated vault for the selected workloads. To create it, we’ll use the Azure portal, as a download link for the server won’t be available when creating the vault using the Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell:
- Let’s start by going to the Azure portal, finding your Recovery Services vault instance, and clicking on the + Backup button:
Figure 7.2 – Creating a backup vault
- From the next screen, select On-Premises as our environment and desired workloads to back up:
Figure 7.3 – Selecting workloads for backup
- On the next screen, click on the Download link, which will redirect you to the Download Center, from where you can download all the files needed:
Figure 7.4 – Instruction for MABS containing the Download link
- The last step is to click on the Download button and wait for the files to be downloaded:
Figure 7.5 – Downloading files from the download website
Important note
To perform those steps much quicker, download the files from the machine supposed to run Azure Backup Server.
- While files are being downloaded, obtain vault credentials from the Azure portal by checking the checkbox shown in Figure 7.6 and clicking on the Download button:
Figure 7.6 – Downloading credentials
- After you download all the files and copy them onto the machine that is supposed to be the backup server, run the executable file to open the installation wizard. Follow the instructions of the installer. Once it completes, you’ll need to start one more installation, which will add Azure Backup Server to the machine. To do that, go to the directory where the installation files were extracted (by default, it’s C:\Microsoft Azure Backup Server V4) and double-click the Setup.exe file. You should see the following installation screen:
Figure 7.7 – Installation screen of Azure Backup Server
Click on the Microsoft Azure Backup Server option and once again follow the instructions of the installation wizard.
Important note
Installation steps may be different depending on the selected workloads for backup. This implies that for some of them, additional dependencies may be required. Follow the information reported by the installation wizard to set up Backup Server correctly. If you find it difficult to follow the process, see this documentation for reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-microsoft-azure-backup.
Once Azure Backup Server is installed, you can start using it for performing backups for your workloads. As there are many different configuration options and solutions, it’s best to check the documentation for detailed instructions on how to configure the workload you selected:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/back-up-hyper-v-virtual-machines-mabs
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-server-vmware
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-sql-mabs
Let’s now switch our focus to the next component of backup and recovery in Azure – Azure Site Recovery.
