Azure VM backup step by step

In this azure tutorial, we will discuss the Azure virtual machine backup. Apart from this, we will also discuss a few other related topics:

Azure VM backup step by step

As we all know that Backup of a virtual machine is an important factor. Let’s discuss how we can back up a virtual machine in Azure portal.

• How to access Azure VM (Virtual Machine)
• Azure virtual machine DNS (FQDN)
• Azure Virtual Machine Tutorial

Follow the below steps to take the Azure virtual machine backup.

Step-1: Login to https://portal.azure.com.

Step- 2: Search for Virtual machines there.

Step- 3: You will see the list of VM created in your Azure subscription. It will show the VM name, Type, Status, ResourceGroup, Location, etc.

Step- 4:  Now click on the VM name. “MyNewVM” in my case. You can able to see the details of your virtual machine like Public IP address, status, Computer name, Operating system, Size etc.

Step- 5: From the left side menu select Backup option under Operations.

Step- 6: In the Recovery Services vault, Fill the below details

• Recovery Services vault: You can create a new one or select the existing one.
• Vault938 is the default name that was populated for me But you can specify a different name also.
• Resource group: This option will populate based on which resource group your virtual machine belongs to. For me it is newresgroup . You can also create a new one if you want.
• Choose backup policy: By default it is DailyPolicy. You can change it if you want.

Step- 7: If you want to create a new backup policy, click on Create a new policy.

• Policy Name: Mention the name of the policy you want to create for me I have given the name as WeeklyPolicy.
• Backup Schedule: Frequency as Weekly, Days meaning which day of the week you want to take backup for example Sunday, Time, for example, 2:00 PM, Timezone select the timezone that you belong to.
• Retain instant recovery snapshots for: For weekly it is 5 days so mention 5 there.
• Retention Range: You can tick the Retention of monthly backup point or Retention of yearly backup point if you want.

Now click on OK button.

Now in step 6, You can choose WeeklyPolicy instead of DailyPolicy. I am selecting the DailyPolicy for the time being.

Step 8: Now after filling in all the above details You need to click on the “Enable Backup” button. You can track the progress on the notification option of the Azure portal.

Step- 9:

Now to cross-check we have configured the Backup Scheduled Backup option properly, We can click on the Backup link in the Left Menu. See all the details that have been configured successfully.

Run a backup immediately

You can also run a backup immediately from Azure portal. Follow the below steps.

Step- 1: From the left side menu select the Backup option under Operations.

Step 2: Click on the Backup now button to perform the backup immediately.

Step 3: Select a date for the Retain backup till option and then click on the OK button.

Stop VM Backup

If you want to stop the backup option for the virtual machine then you need to follow the below steps.

Step- 1: From the left side menu select the Backup option under Operations.

Step- 2: Now click on the Stop backup button.

Step 3: You can select the Retain Backup Data option, Select a reason, Add comments, and then click on the “Stop backup” option.

Resume VM Backup

Once you stop the backup, you can again Resume the VM backup by following the below steps.

Step- 1: From the left side menu select the Backup option under Operations.

Step- 2: Now click on the Resume backup button.

Delete backup data

You can also delete the backup data by following the below steps

Step- 1: From the left side menu select the Backup option under Operations.

Step- 2:

Now click on the Delete backup data button.

Azure VM Backup Policy

Azure VM backup policy is the policy that you define for your Azure Virtual machine on the frequency of the Backup.

As per the default backup policy, it backs your VM once per day.

You can also set your own custom backup policy for your Azure Virtual Machine.

How to apply a backup policy to Azure VM

You can follow the below steps to apply the backup policy to your Azure Virtual Machine.

1. Log in to the Azure Portal and search for “Backup center”.
2. Click on the + Backup button.

3. Select the Datasource type as “Azure Virtual machines”. Click on the Select link to select a Vault. Click on the Continue button.

4. Select the backup policy as DefaultPolicy or you can create your own custom policy by clicking on the Create a new policy link.

9. Click on the Add button that is present under Virtual machines and select the VM that you want to take backup applying this policy. Click on the OK button.

Note: Make sure to select the VM that belongs to the same region as the Vault that you have selected.

10. Finally, select the Enable Backup button.

Azure VM Backup Options

There are some key options available to take the backup of your Azure VM. Those are as below.

• Azure Backup
• Managed snapshots
• Azure Site Recovery

Azure Backup

You can use Azure Backup to take a backup of your Azure Virtual machine that is running on Prod.

You can use the Azure Backup option both for Windows and Linux Virtual machines.

This option is suitable for the Azure Virtual Machine that is running on production.

Find the complete steps to set up the Azure Backup option for your VM.

Managed snapshots

You can use the Managed snapshots option to easily back up your Azure Virtual Machine that uses Managed Disks.

It is nothing but a complete copy of a managed disk.

This option is best suited for the Azure Virtual machines in development and test environments.

You can use the snapshots to rebuild a Virtual Machine.

Azure Site Recovery

Azure Site Recovery is another option to recover your virtual machine in case of any natural disaster.

You have to create recovery plans for any critical failure for the applications on different Virtual machines. Check out What Is Azure Site Recovery for more details.

Azure VM Snapshot Backup

Azure VM Snapshot is the complete copy of the virtual hard disk or Managed disk which is read-only. In case of any issues, you can even rebuild a new virtual machine using a snapshot.

You can use the below option to create a snapshot.

• Use Azure Portal to create an Azure VM snapshot (Follow steps 1 to 6)
• Create Azure VM snapshot using PowerShell

Azure VM Backup Restore

Well, now is the time to restore the backup. Azure backup provides you multiple ways to restore the backup and those are Creating a new VM, Restoring a VM Disk, Replacing a Disk on your existing VM, etc.

The first step is to select a restore point. Follow the below quick steps.

1. Log in to the Azure Portal and search for “Backup center”.
2. Click on the Restore button on the Backup Center window.

3. On the next window, Select the Datasource type as Azure Virtual machines and then select Backup instance as the VM. Click on the Continue button.

4. Click on the Select option to choose a restore point on the Restore Virtual Machine window.

5. Under Restore Configuration, Choose Create new option if you want to create a new Virtual machine or you can also choose, Replace existing option if you want to replace the disk of an existing VM.

6. Here, I have selected the Create new option to create a new virtual machine.

7. Select the Restore type as Create new virtual machine. Now provide the below details.

• Virtual machine name: Provide a unique name for your VM.
• Resource Group: You can select an existing Resource Group or create a new resource group.
• Virtual Network: Select the virtual network where you want to place your virtual machine.
• Staging Location: You need to select the storage account here.

8. Finally, click on the Restore button.

If you have the requirement to back up your Virtual Machine, then you can check out Azure VM Backup Pricing details now.

You may like the following Azure tutorials:

• Azure VM Snapshot VS Backup
• Azure virtual machine auto-shutdown

Conclusion

In this Azure tutorial, We discussed

• Azure virtual machine backup
• Azure VM Backup Options
• Azure VM Snapshot Backup
• Azure VM Backup Restore
• Azure VM Snapshot VS Backup
• Azure VM Backup Policy

Hope you enjoyed this article !!!