Recovery Services vault is an entity that stores all your backups and recovery points for Azure resources. You can use Recovery Services vaults to hold backup data for various Azure services such as IaaS VMs (Linux or Windows), Azure File shares, and others.

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Creating an Azure Backup Vault

Let’s talk about how to create a Recovery Services vault in Azure.

  1. Firstly, sign in to your Azure account on the Azure portal.
  2. In the left-hand menu, click on “+ Create a resource.”
  3. In the “New” window, enter “Recovery Services” in the search box and select it from the list.
  4. In the “Recovery Services vault” pane that appears, click “Create.”
  5. You’ll then need to fill in the following details:
  • Subscription: Choose the subscription that should be charged for this vault.
  • Resource group: You can either create a new one or use an existing resource group.
  • Vault name: Choose a name for your vault.
  • Region: Select the Azure region where the vault will be located.
  1. After entering all the details, click on the “Review + create” button at the bottom, review your settings, and then hit “Create.”

This will begin the creation process, and after a few moments, your Recovery Services vault will be ready.

Note that by default, the vault’s storage redundancy is set to Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS). However, this can be configured to Locally-Redundant Storage (LRS) or Zone-Redundant Storage (ZRS) based on your specific needs.

How to Backup Data to Your New Azure Vault

After creating the Recovery Services vault, you’ll want to start adding data backups. Here is a brief outline of the steps:

  1. Navigate to your Recovery Services vault in the Azure portal.
  2. In the settings pane on the left, select “Backup.”
  3. In the “Backup Goal” window that appears, choose where your workload is running and what you want to backup.
  4. After setting your backup goal, select “Backup” at the bottom of the page.
  5. Follow the prompts to configure and schedule your backup.

Remember, it’s crucial to test your backups regularly to ensure they’re working correctly. You can do this by performing a recovery of the data.

As an Azure Administrator, understanding the creation and management of Azure backup vaults is highly beneficial. It serves as a safeguard for your valuable data, proving its worth when faced with a data loss situation.

The Azure Recovery Services vault offers an easy, scalable, and cost-effective way to backup and restore your Azure resources, making it a must-know for anyone preparing for the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam.

Practice Test

True or False: An Azure backup vault can be used to store backups of data and applications in Azure.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure backup vault is a storage entity in Azure used to store backups and recovery points created over time. It can manage and keep backups of data and applications which are within Azure.

Which of the following are needed to create an Azure Backup vault? Choose all that apply.

  • a) Name
  • b) Subscription
  • c) Location
  • d) Database

Answer: a) Name, b) Subscription, c) Location

Explanation: To create an Azure Backup vault, you need to provide a name, choose a subscription in which the vault is created, and select a location. Database is not a required field when creating a Backup vault.

True or False: Azure Backup vaults can be created only in certain Azure regions.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure Backup vaults can be created in any Azure region. However, it is best practice to create the vault in the same region as the resources you plan to back up.

Multiple select: Which of the following can be backed up into an Azure Backup vault?

  • a) Azure VMs
  • b) SQL databases
  • c) Physical servers
  • d) Linux VMs

Answer: a) Azure VMs, b) SQL databases, c) Physical servers, d) Linux VMs

Explanation: Azure backup vault can back up Azure VMs, SQL databases in Azure VMs, physical servers, and Linux VMs.

Single select: What is the maximum retention range for a recovery point in Azure backup?

  • a) 7 days
  • b) 30 days
  • c) 90 days
  • d) 99 years

Answer: d) 99 years

Explanation: Azure backup offers flexible and predictable retention. The maximum retention range for a recovery point is 99 years.

True or False: You can use the same Azure Backup vault to protect resources across regions.

  • True
  • False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure Backup vaults are geo-specific and do not protect resources across regions. You need to create a separate vault for each region.

Single select: What is the maximum limit of Azure Backup vaults per subscription?

  • a) 1
  • b) 5
  • c) 25
  • d) No limit

Answer: d) No limit

Explanation: Azure does not limit the number of Recovery Services vaults that you can create in a subscription.

True or False: Azure Backup vault supports AES 256-bit encryption.

  • True
  • False

Answer: True

Explanation: Azure Backup uses AES 256-bit encryption, both at rest and in transit.

Multiple select: Which Azure resources cannot be backed up into an Azure Backup vault?

  • a) Azure Files
  • b) Function App
  • c) Azure DNS
  • d) Logic App

Answer: b) Function App, c) Azure DNS, d) Logic App

Explanation: Azure backup service supports backup for Azure Files but does not support backup for Function App, Azure DNS and Logic App.

Single select: What is the frequency at which Azure Backup takes snapshots of VMs?

  • a) Once a day
  • b) Twice a day
  • c) Every hour
  • d) It depends on the user’s choice

Answer: d) It depends on the user’s choice

Explanation: Users can schedule backups at their own preferred frequency (hourly, daily, weekly etc.), depending upon their business requirements.

Interview Questions

What is an Azure Backup vault?

An Azure Backup vault is a storage entity in Azure used to hold backups. It is part of the Azure Recovery Services suite and is used to orchestrate backup and restore operations.

What are the two types of Azure Backup vaults?

The two types of Azure Backup vaults are the Recovery Services vault, and the Backup vault.

What permissions are needed to create an Azure Backup vault?

The user must have Microsoft.Recoveryservices/vaults/write and Microsoft.Recoveryservices/vaults/read permissions to create an Azure Backup vault.

Can we change the storage redundancy option after creating the Azure Backup vault?

No, the storage redundancy option cannot be changed after the vault is created.

What data can be backed up in an Azure Backup vault?

The Azure Backup vault can back up Azure Virtual Machines, SQL workloads, Azure File shares, and on-premises servers, workstations, and workloads.

How to create an Azure Backup vault through Azure Portal?

To create an Azure Backup vault through Azure Portal, go to All services > Management Tools > Recovery Services vaults > Add. Provide a name, select a subscription, resource group, and location for your vault, then click on ‘Create’.

What is the maximum number of Azure Backup vaults per Azure subscription?

The maximum number of Azure Backup vaults per Azure subscription is 500.

Can you perform an Azure Backup vault operation without an Azure subscription?

No, you can not perform an Azure Backup vault operation without an Azure subscription.

What is Soft Delete in Azure Backup?

Soft Delete in Azure Backup is a feature that provides additional protection against the accidental or malicious deletion of resources. It retains the backup data for 14 days after deletion to allow the recovery of the backup items.

How to enable Cross-Region Restore (CRR) in Azure Backup vault?

Cross-Region Restore (CRR) is automatically enabled for all vaults. There’s no specific configuration required at the vault level to enable or configure CRR.

Can I backup Azure Blobs in an Azure Backup vault?

No, as of now it’s not supported to backup Azure Blobs in Azure Backup vault.

What is the retention range of recovery points in Azure Backup?

The retention range for recovery points in Azure Backup is up to 99 years.

How to delete an Azure Backup vault?

To delete an Azure Backup vault, first, ensure there are no backup items or protected servers associated with the vault. Then go to the vault dashboard, click on the ‘…’ (more services) button, and select ‘Delete’.

What is the cost of an Azure Backup vault?

The cost of an Azure Backup vault depends on various factors like the amount of data, features used, and redundancy options.

What are the limitations of Azure Backup?

The limitations of Azure Backup include a maximum of 9999 recovery services vaults per subscription, the inability to backup Azure Blobs, and the inability to switch redundancy options after creation.

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