Azure Backup is a scalable solution that protects your application data with zero capital investment and minimal operational expenses. When it comes to SAP Workloads, the Azure backup service uses the BackInt API of the SAP HANA database to perform the backup.
Azure Backup is built into the platform and provides policy-driven, enterprise-grade backup and restore functionality. With features like multiple backup methods, secure data storage, and centralized backup management, Azure Backup is a viable option for administrators.
Performing Backup in Azure for SAP Workloads
Let’s dive into how to perform a backup operation for SAP HANA databases on Azure. The process involves creating an Azure Recovery Services Vault, setting up a backup policy, and backing up the SAP HANA database.
- Creating a Recovery Services Vault:
First, you’ll need to create an Azure Recovery Services Vault, which is a storage entity in Azure managing backups. To set it up, navigate to Azure portal > Recovery Services Vaults > Add.
- Configuring Backup Policy:
You will need to configure the backup policy after creating the Recovery Services Vault. This policy dictates the frequency and timeframe of the backups. In your vault, select “Backup Policies” and define your parameters accordingly.
- Back Up the SAP HANA Database:
The final step involves backing up the SAP HANA database itself. In the Azure Portal, navigate to your vault, then select “Backup Items”, “Add”, and finally “Azure Backup Agent”. Follow the prompts to start the backup process.
Azure Restore for SAP Workloads
Restoring a SAP HANA database on Azure involves “triggering” a recovery point and then restoring the database using the Azure Backup service. Here are the detailed steps:
- Trigger a Recovery Point:
You can trigger a recovery point from the Azure portal by navigating to the vault, selecting “Backup items”, choosing the SAP HANA database, and finally “Restore VM”.
- Restore the Database:
From the Recovery Point, click on “Restore” to start the process. Follow the prompts to configure the restore parameters, then press “OK”.
Conclusion
Understanding how to perform backup and restore processes in Azure for SAP workloads is key to ensuring the resilience and security of your business data. With the know-how to set up a Recovery Services Vault, configure a backup policy, make a backup, and perform a restore, you are well-equipped to successfully maintain your SAP workloads on Azure. Remember, the regularity of these backup and restore operations should be dictated by your individual business needs and the criticality of your data.
Please note, to administer these processes you must understand the capabilities of Azure for SAP Workloads, therefore the AZ-120 certification is highly recommended. With such knowledge, you can be assured that your SAP workloads will be safe and recoverable in the Azure environment.
Practice Test
True or False: Azure backup can be used to back up on-premises systems and workloads.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Backup is a versatile tool that supports the backup of on-premises systems and workloads as well as data in Azure.
In SAP on Azure, the SAP HANA database backup is stored on:
- a) Azure Blob storage
- b) Azure Table storage
- c) Azure File storage
- d) Azure Queue storage
Answer: a) Azure Blob storage
Explanation: In an SAP on Azure environment, the SAP HANA database backups are typically stored in Azure Blob storage.
True or False: Azure Site Recovery is the primary service in Azure to backup SAP HANA databases.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Though Azure Site Recovery is a crucial service for disaster recovery and infrastructure redundancy, it is not the specific service used for SAP HANA database backups. Azure Backup is used instead.
Azure Backup supports recovery of:
- a) Individual files
- b) Applications
- c) VMs
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Azure Backup supports recovery on various levels, including individual files, applications, and virtual machines.
True or False: Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery are interchangeable services.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: These are two distinct services. Azure Backup is for data protection and recovery, and Azure Site Recovery is primarily for disaster recovery.
The backup data in Azure Backup is:
- a) Compressed
- b) Encrypted
- c) Both compressed and encrypted
- d) Neither compressed nor encrypted
Answer: c) Both compressed and encrypted
Explanation: Azure Backup compresses and encrypts backup data for efficient storage and high-level security.
True or False: In Azure, once data is deleted, it can no longer be restored.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In Azure, depending on the service level agreement and provided that backup or soft delete is configured, data can often be restored even after deletion.
SAP backup and restore operations on Azure rely heavily on:
- a) Azure Recovery Services vault
- b) Azure Key Vault
- c) Azure Cosmos DB
- d) Azure Machine Learning
Answer: a) Azure Recovery Services vault
Explanation: Azure Recovery Services vault is central to backup and restore operations, as it is where backup data is stored.
What are the components of Backup and Restore strategy for SAP workloads on Azure?
- a) Backup Policy
- b) Restore process
- c) Backup monitoring
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Backup and Restore strategy for SAP workloads on Azure include Backup policy, restore process, and backup monitoring.
True or False: Azure Backup can only perform incremental backups.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure Backup can perform both full and incremental backups. Incremental backups are regularly performed after the initial full backup.
Which storage is not recommended for the Backup of SAP HANA Large Instances?
- a) Azure Premium SSD
- b) Azure Standard HDD
- c) Azure Managed Disk
- d) Azure Standard SSD
Answer: b) Azure Standard HDD
Explanation: Azure Standard HDD might not provide enough throughput that is required for backup and restore of SAP HANA Large Instances.
True or False: Azure Backup eliminates the need to manage on-premises storage.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Backup is a cloud-based backup solution designed to eliminate the need for on-premises storage management.
Which of the following is not a prerequisite for using Azure Backup?
- a) Recovery Services vault
- b) Storage account
- c) Virtual machine
- d) Azure Active Directory
Answer: d) Azure Active Directory
Explanation: While Azure Active Directory is important for Azure services, it is not specifically needed as a prerequisite for using Azure Backup.
True or False: Azure Backup supports backup for both Linux and Windows virtual machines.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure Backup can protect both Linux and Windows virtual machines.
Azure Backup can restore data in:
- a) 1 hour
- b) 12 hours
- c) 24 hours
- d) It depends on the size of the data and network speed
Answer: d) It depends on the size of the data and network speed
Explanation: The speed at which Azure Backup can restore data is dependent on a number of factors including the size of the data and network speed.
Interview Questions
What is the importance of backup and restore in Azure for SAP Workloads?
Backup and restore are crucial in Azure for SAP Workloads for ensuring data safety and business continuity in case of any failure, corruption, or loss of data. It allows us to recover data with minimal downtime.
Which Azure service should you use to backup your SAP HANA databases?
You should use Azure Backup Service – a cloud-based backup solution from Microsoft – to backup your SAP HANA databases in Azure.
Can the Azure Backups of SAP HANA databases be stored in the same region as the deployed resources?
No, for disaster recovery purposes, backups should be stored in a separate region from the deployed resources.
What are the main components of the Azure Backup service for SAP HANA databases?
The main components are the Recovery Services vault, backup policy, backup extension (Azure VM level), and the Azure Backup service itself.
What are the supported storage types for Azure Backup?
Azure Backup supports two types of storage: Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS) and Locally Redundant Storage (LRS).
What is the purpose of the Recovery Services vault in Azure Backup?
The Recovery Services vault is a management entity that stores recovery points created over time and provides an interface to perform backup related operations. These operations include taking on-demand backups, performing restores, and creating backup policies.
What is the benefit of using GRS storage type for SAP HANA database backup in Azure?
The benefit of using GRS is that it provides automatic replication of data to a secondary region far away from the primary location, offering higher durability even if there is a complete regional outage or a disaster.
What is the primary method to restore back up in Azure for SAP HANA databases?
The primary method is to use the Azure Backup service, specifically the interface in the Recovery Services vault to recover data to a specific point in time.
When using Azure Backups, how often are incremental backups performed for SAP HANA databases?
The frequency of incremental backups for SAP HANA databases depends on the backup policy settings. However, Azure Backup service allows backups to be made as frequently as every 15 minutes.
Can Azure Backup service handle the backup of large SAP HANA databases?
Yes, Azure Backup service can handle large SAP HANA databases effectively. The service provides application-consistent backups, built-in management, and one-click restore capabilities even for large databases.
What is the recommended way to back up an SAP workload in Azure?
The recommended way to back up an SAP workload in Azure is to use the Azure Backup service, providing a simple, secure, and cost-effective solution to protect your data.
Does Azure Backups provide encryption for SAP HANA databases?
Yes, Azure Backups provides encryption for data at rest and in transit for SAP HANA databases ensuring high level of security.
What is the retention period for backup data in Azure Backup service?
The retention period for backup data in Azure Backup service can be up to 99 years, offering long-term retention (LTR).
How can you monitor the backup operations for SAP HANA databases in Azure?
You can monitor the backup operations for SAP HANA databases using Azure Monitor, Azure Workbooks, and Log Analytics in the Azure portal.
How can Azure Backup protect SAP HANA databases against ransomware attacks?
Azure Backup protects SAP HANA databases against ransomware attacks through multifactor authentication, alerts for suspicious activities, and by requiring users to manually authorize deletion of backup data.
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