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Configure Azure Elastic SAN backup using Azure portal (preview)

This article describes how to configure Azure Elastic SAN backup (preview) using the Azure portal.

Prerequisites

Before you configure Elastic SAN backup, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

For more information about the supported scenarios, limitations, and availability, see the support matrix.

Create a Backup vault

To back up Elastic SAN, ensure you have a Backup vault in the same subscription. You can use an existing vault, or create a new one.

Create a backup policy for Elastic SAN (preview)

A backup policy defines the schedule and frequency for backing up Elastic SAN volumes. You can either create a backup policy from the Backup vault or create it on the go during the backup configuration.

To create a backup policy for Elastic SAN from Azure Business Continuity Center, follow these steps:

  1. In the Azure portal, go to the Azure Business Continuity Center > Protection policies, and then select + Create Policy > Create Backup Policy.

  2. On the Create Backup Policy pane, on the Basics tab, provide a name for the new policy under Policy name, and then select Datasource type as Elastic SAN (Preview).

    Screenshot shows how to start creating a backup policy.

  3. On the Schedule + retention tab, under the Backup schedule section, set the schedule for creating recovery points for backups.

    Note

    Azure Backup currently supports Daily backup frequency only, which is selected by default.

    Screenshot shows how to configure the backup schedule.

  4. Under the Retention rules section, edit the default retention rule or add a new rule to specify the retention of recovery points.

    Note

    • The default retention duration for the recovery points is 7 days.
    • Maximum of 450 recovery points are retained at any point in time across your retention rules.

  5. Select Review + create.

  6. After the review succeeds, select Create.

Configure Elastic SAN backup (preview)

To configure backup for your Elastic SAN, follow these steps:

  1. In the Azure portal, go to the Business Continuity Center, and then select + Configure protection.

  2. On the Configure protection pane, select Resource managed by as Azure, Datasource type as Elastic SAN volumes (Preview), Solution as Azure Backup, and then select Continue.

    Screenshot shows how to start configuring backup.

  3. On the Configure Backup pane, on the Basics tab, ensure that the Datasource type is selected as Elastic SAN volumes (Preview).

  4. Under Vault, click Select vault to choose the Backup vault you created.

    If you don't have a Backup vault, create a new one.

    Note

    A Backup vault uses a System Assigned Managed Identity to create and manage snapshots.

  5. On the Backup policy tab, under Backup policy, select the policy you want to use for data retention, and then select Next. If you want to create a new backup policy, select Create new. Learn how to create a backup policy.

    Note

    • The default retention duration for the recovery points is 7 days.
    • Maximum of 450 recovery points are retained at any point in time across your retention rules.

  6. On the Datasources tab, selectAdd to choose the Elastic SAN instance for backup.

    Screenshot shows how to add resources for backup.

  7. On the Select resources to backup pane, select an Elastic SAN instance from the dropdown list, and then select Add.

    Note

    Only instances that share the same subscription and region as the vault appear.

    Screenshot shows how to select an instance for backup.

  8. On the Add backup instance pane, filter by Volume group, select a volume from the list, and then select Add.

    Note

    • You can select multiple volumes within a single backup request.
    • A Backup Instance is a pair of one Elastic SAN volume and a backup policy.
    • You can use the auto-filled backup instance name or customize it as needed.
    • The Elastic SAN instance’s resource group is auto-assigned to the restore point (Managed Disk incremental snapshots). You can choose a different resource group to store snapshots.

    After you add the backup instances, backup readiness validation starts on the Configure Backup pane, under Datasources tab. If the required roles are assigned, the validation succeeds with the Success message.

    Validation errors appear if the selected Backup vault's Managed-system Identity (MSI) doesn't have the Elastic SAN Snapshot Exporter and Disk snapshot Contributor roles assigned.

  9. To assign the required roles, on the Configure Backup pane, on the Datasources tab, select Assign missing roles.

    Note

    If you don't have the Role-Based Access Control Administrator permissions, the Assign Missing Roles option is disabled.

  10. On the Grant missing permissions pane, select the scope (resource, resource group, or subscription) at which the access permissions must be granted, and then select Next.

    After the process starts, the missing access permissions on the Elastic SAN are granted to the backup vault.

  11. When the role assignment is complete, on the Configure Backup pane, on the Datasources tab, select Revalidate.

    When the validation succeeds, the Success message appears.

  12. On the Review + configure tab, review the configuration details, and then select Configure Backup.

You can track the progress of the backup configuration under Backup instances. When configured, Azure Backup runs backups as per the policy schedule to create recovery points. You can also trigger an on-demand backup to create the first full backup.

Next steps