Hi folks, One of our Azure servers are failing backup because of some VSS Writer issue, currently we are working to fix that. However, I observed that though backup is failing for Azure VM I get a successful backup log for 'Files and folders'. Could you please help me understand what it means exactly. Also, am I safe to assume that though app consistent backup is failing, Azure is taking File System Consistent backup? Can I use this to restore the VM, if yes how and what are the risk involved. Thanks in advance!

@Apurva Pathak Sorry for the delayed response! When you perform a backup of an Azure VM, there are two types of backups that can be performed: application-consistent backups and file system-consistent backups. Application-consistent backups use the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to ensure that all data in memory and on disk is in a consistent state at the time of the backup. This is important for applications that have databases or other data that is constantly changing. File system-consistent backups, on the other hand, do not use VSS and only ensure that the file system is in a consistent state at the time of the backup. This type of backup is typically used for file servers or other systems that do not have databases or other applications that require application-consistent backups. In your case, it sounds like the application-consistent backup is failing due to a VSS Writer issue, but the file system-consistent backup is succeeding. This means that you have a backup of the file system, but you may not have a backup of the application data. If you need to restore the VM, you can use the file system-consistent backup to restore the file system, but you may not be able to restore the application data. This could result in data loss or other issues if the application data is critical. To restore the VM using the file system-consistent backup, you can follow these steps: Create a new VM from the backup image. Attach the disks from the backup image to the new VM. Boot the new VM and verify that the file system is intact. If necessary, restore any missing application data from a separate backup. It is important to note that there are risks involved with restoring a VM from a file system-consistent backup. If the application data is critical, you may need to find a way to resolve the VSS Writer issue and perform an application-consistent backup to ensure that all data is backed up properly. Hope this information helps. Feel free to reply if you have any questions! If the response helped, do " Accept Answer " and up-vote it

Azure Backup Failing - Microsoft Q&A

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SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-08-22T21:12:40.51+00:00
@Apurva Pathak Sorry for the delayed response!

When you perform a backup of an Azure VM, there are two types of backups that can be performed: application-consistent backups and file system-consistent backups.

Application-consistent backups use the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to ensure that all data in memory and on disk is in a consistent state at the time of the backup. This is important for applications that have databases or other data that is constantly changing.

File system-consistent backups, on the other hand, do not use VSS and only ensure that the file system is in a consistent state at the time of the backup. This type of backup is typically used for file servers or other systems that do not have databases or other applications that require application-consistent backups.

In your case, it sounds like the application-consistent backup is failing due to a VSS Writer issue, but the file system-consistent backup is succeeding. This means that you have a backup of the file system, but you may not have a backup of the application data.

If you need to restore the VM, you can use the file system-consistent backup to restore the file system, but you may not be able to restore the application data. This could result in data loss or other issues if the application data is critical.

To restore the VM using the file system-consistent backup, you can follow these steps:

Create a new VM from the backup image.

Attach the disks from the backup image to the new VM.

Boot the new VM and verify that the file system is intact.

If necessary, restore any missing application data from a separate backup.

It is important to note that there are risks involved with restoring a VM from a file system-consistent backup. If the application data is critical, you may need to find a way to resolve the VSS Writer issue and perform an application-consistent backup to ensure that all data is backed up properly.

Hope this information helps. Feel free to reply if you have any questions!

If the response helped, do "Accept Answer" and up-vote it
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Apurva Pathak 630 Reputation points

2024-08-27T11:51:31.64+00:00

Hi @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT ,

Thanks a lot for your detailed response!

Would you mind helping me with the exact steps to do so, because when I try to restore the VM, I am unable to see the Filesystem backups in the list.

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-08-27T16:33:08.66+00:00

@Apurva Pathak Please follow the steps below:

Open the Azure portal and navigate to the Recovery Services vault that contains the backup data.

Click on the Backup items tab and select the Azure VM that you want to restore.

Click on the Restore VM button and select the restore point that you want to use.

Choose the restore type as "Files and folders" and select the files and folders that you want to restore.

Specify the destination for the restored files and folders.

Review the restore settings and click on the Restore button to initiate the restore process.

Apurva Pathak 630 Reputation points

2024-08-29T15:50:34.5666667+00:00

Hi @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT ,

Apologies but I don't see any such option to restore the server from Filesystem backup.

I can see below two jobs for backup, out of which backup for VM got failed and Files got succeeded.

However, I don't see any restore points at all or any option to set the restore type as "Files and folders", pasting snip below.

Awaiting your further updates on this!

Thank you so much for your kind help on this, I really do appreciate it.

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-08-30T14:45:37.1566667+00:00

@Apurva Pathak Sorry for the inconvenience caused!

From the screenshot 1 I see that files and folders backup (MARS) was successful. But the VM backup failed.

I assuming that, since there are no VM backups for the date specified, you are unable to perform restore operation.

You can refer to the different restore options for Azure VM - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-restore-vms#restore-options

Apurva Pathak 630 Reputation points

2024-09-02T07:27:57.3066667+00:00

Hi @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT ,

Can we not restore the server with this backup type.

Thanks

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-09-03T17:16:56.43+00:00

@Apurva Pathak Sorry for the confusion.

With MARS on Azure VM, you can only perform backup and restore of files and folders but cannot restore an entire VM.

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-09-05T07:46:13.3533333+00:00

@Apurva Pathak Hope that clarifies. Let us know if you have additional questions.

Apurva Pathak 630 Reputation points

2024-09-05T12:12:05.9133333+00:00

Hi @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT ,

How can I use this backup to restore the files please.

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-09-05T14:38:59.4733333+00:00

@Apurva Pathak First, ensure that the MARS agent is installed on the Azure VM. This agent is essential for backing up and restoring files and folders directly to and from Azure.

Launch the MARS agent on your Azure VM. You can find it in the Start menu or by searching for "Microsoft Azure Backup."

In the MARS agent, click on the "Recover Data" option. This will open the Recover Data wizard.

Choose the appropriate recovery point from which you want to restore your files. You can select from various recovery points based on the backup schedule.

Decide whether you want to restore the files to the original location or an alternate location. If you choose an alternate location, specify the path where you want the files to be restored.

Follow the prompts to complete the restore process. The MARS agent will restore the selected files to the specified location.

Apurva Pathak 630 Reputation points

2024-09-05T14:49:17.5633333+00:00

Thanks a ton @SadiqhAhmed-MSFT ,

You've really been amazingly helpful.

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 46,466 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-09-05T15:41:46.6733333+00:00

@Apurva Pathak Happy to help! :)
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