We can take a backup of the files and folders from our on-premises machines and our Azure Virtual Machines. The critical point is that the Azure backup service uses the MARS agent to take the backup of your files and folders, which are stored within a Recovery Services vault.
How to Backup files and Folders using MARS Agent
You can run the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) Agent in two ways. Those are as below
- You can run on your on-premises machines directly.
- We can also run on the Azure virtual machines.
Here, we will discuss the complete process. The initial step is to create a Recovery Services Vault.
Create a Recovery Services vault
A Recovery Services vault works like an interface to perform backup-related operations. Below are the steps to create a Recovery Services vault.
1. Log in to Azure Portal (https://portal.azure.com/)
2. After logging into Azure Portal, click the All Services option from the left menu.
Now for the next steps, follow my article to create a Recovery Services vault. Once you follow this article, you can create the Recovery Services vault like the one below. My new Recovery Services vault is now created with the name MyNewVault.
Now, Assuming your Recovery Services vaults are created. Then, the next step is to modify the storage replication type.
Modify storage replication type
By default, when you have created a Recovery Services vault, the storage replication type is Geo-redundant. You can change it to the Locally-redundant to save some cost.
You can refer to my Article to Modify the storage replication type. Check out the Set storage redundancy for the services vault section of the article to modify the sam
First, download the MARS agent and the Vault credentials using the Microsoft Azure Portal. Now is the time to install the register of the MARS agent.
Now, Install and register the MARS agent
Create a backup policy using the MARS agent
Now, we are done with the Installation and registration of the MARS agent. The next step is to create a backup policy.
The backup policy specifies the timeline to take the snapshots of the data to create the recovery points. We can use the MARS agent we installed and configured using the above steps to create the backup policy.
Well, follow the below steps to create the backup policy
1. The first step is to search for Microsoft Azure Backup on your computer and then open that app.
2. Now the below Microsoft Azure Backup application will open.
3. Under Actions, click on the Schedule Backup option.
4. On the Schedule Backup Wizard, on the Getting Started tab, click on the Next button to continue
5. On the Select Items to Backup tab, click on Add Items to add the items you want to back up.
6. On the Select Items box, select items you want to take back up, and then select OK.
7. You have selected the item you want to take backup on the Select Items to Backup window. Now click on the Next button.
8. Specify the backup Schedule, i.e., when to take daily or weekly backups on the Specify Backup Schedule page, then select Next.
Below I have mentioned taking two times per day but you can specify a maximum of 3 times per day. Based on your requirements, you can select the timing and frequency of your backup.