Backup for Azure file shares is something that is a feature that we all want. Azure Files is a cloud-first file share solution with support for industry standard SMB protocol. Azure Backup enables a native backup solution for Azure file shares, a key addition to the feature arsenal to enable enterprise adoption of Azure Files. Using Azure Backup, via Recovery Services vault, to protect your file shares is a straightforward way to secure your files and be assured that you can go back in time instantly.
If you want to read my old blogs about Azure backup https://robertsmit.wordpress.com/tag/azure-backup/
Below is a schematic on how the Backup for Azure File Shares Works.
Key features
- Discover unprotected file shares: Utilize the Recovery Services vault to discover all unprotected storage accounts and file shares within them.
- Backup multiple files at a time: You can back up at scale by selecting multiple file shares in a storage account and apply a common policy over them.
- Schedule and forget: Apply a Backup policy to automatically schedule backups for your file shares. You can schedule backups at a time of your choice and specify the desired retention period. Azure Backup takes care of pruning these backups once they expire.
- Instant restore: Since Azure Backup utilizes file share snapshots, you can restore just the files you need instantly even from large file shares.
- Browse individual files/folders: Azure Backup lets you browse the restore points of your file shares directly in the Azure portal so that you can pick and restore only the necessary files and folders.
How to start with the Azure File share backup
First we make a backup vault that holds all the backups.
In the Azure Recovery services Vault I created a new vault that holds my file share backup.
Doing this with powershell :
$vaultname="Azure-Fileshare-Vault02"
$rsgroup="AFS-BV-02"
$Location="West US"
Get-AzureRmRecoveryServicesVault
New-AzureRmResourceGroup -Name $rsgroup -Location $Location
New-AzureRmRecoveryServicesVault -Name $vaultname -ResourceGroupName $rsgroup -Location $Location
Now we open the just created backup vault and add a Backup job
Adding the Azure Backup job
As you can see the new Azure FileShare option is there. If you want to do this with Powershell keep in mind that you will need the latest updates and as this is a preview it might change in the next version as currently there is only the -WorkloadType "AzureVM" option there.
Now we select the storage account that holds the file share.
It could take some time for the validation.
Now that the file share is selected, we can make a backup policy. Or use one that you already created.
After establishing a backup policy, a snapshot of the File Shares will be taken at the scheduled time, and the recovery point is retained for the chosen period.
Then finally we enable the backup. There will be a initial backup created.
When you check the backup jobs in you backup vault you can see the just created file share backup.
Just wait for the first backup or go to the job an right click and do a backup now.
You can also create an ondemand backup or stop the backup.
With the backup now you can force to backup the FileShare.
If you double click the backup item and go to …more you can Stop the backup or even delete the backup.
Azure File Share Restore
Well the Azure FileShare Restore is easy, Pick restore in the menu and pick a restore point.
You can pick the original location but an alternate location can also be used. This is a great option on selecting the files or place the restored files on a different locations to sort out the files first.
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