I cannot get local PC to backup to my local azure backup server

Question

I have a local backup server. I havent had to backup anything other than our VMs in the past. I've had a request to backup a windows desktop machine. it is not on the domain. I just want to back this up to the local backup server and not to the azure portal. Everything I can find has the MARS agent but looks like instructions on how to push from the azure portal itself. I have developer support which always allowed me to open a ticket. Now its only letting me post here?

Answer 1

Hi @Anonymous

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum, thank you for posting your query here!

To back up a local Windows desktop machine to your local backup server using the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent, you need to ensure that the MARS agent is installed on the desktop machine. The MARS agent is typically used for backing up on-premises machines directly to a Recovery Services vault in Azure, but it can also be configured to back up to a local backup server if set up correctly.

Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Install the MARS Agent: Download and install the MARS agent on the Windows desktop machine. You can find the latest version of the agent in the Azure portal or download it directly.
2. Register the Agent: After installation, you will need to register the MARS agent with your local backup server. This typically involves providing the vault credentials and an encryption passphrase.
3. Configure Backup Settings: Open the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services agent on the desktop machine and configure the backup schedule and retention policies. You can select the files and folders you want to back up.
4. Backup to Local Server: Ensure that the backup configuration is set to target your local backup server instead of the Azure portal.

If you encounter issues, check the network connectivity between the desktop machine and the local backup server, and ensure that any necessary firewall rules are configured to allow communication.

References:

• Back up Windows Server files and folders to Azure
• Back up Windows Server to Azure
• Install the Azure Backup MARS agent
• Support matrix for backup with the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent

Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need additional information—I’m happy to assist!

Please provide your valuable comments

Please do not forget to "Accept the answer” and “upvote it” wherever the information provided helps you, this can be beneficial to other community members.it would be greatly appreciated and helpful to others.

Answer 2

Hello @Anonymous , Thank you for contacting us on Microsoft Q&A platform. Happy to help!

As you want to back up your windows desktop machine locally and not on Azure. You should use Azure Backup Server (MABS) application which could allow you to back up your desktop machine firstly locally (first copy) and if you want then to Azure(Second copy for redundancy).

I am not sure if you have MABS application installed or not on your local backup server, but you can use below mentioned link for instruction to install the application.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-microsoft-azure-backup

You can also use below mentioned link to setup Desktop machine backup:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/system-center/dpm/back-up-workstations?view=sc-dpm-2022&tabs=AllowClients2016%2CAllowClients

There is no key needed for installation for the application as it will use your subscription ID but there will a cost involved in it for which you can check the below mentioned link:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/backup/?msockid=3f132ad4748563d53d96391b75836227

Please select On-Prem Server in the workload section to get the details.

** Please don't forget to close up the thread here by upvoting and accept it as an answer if it is helpful **

Answer 3

I'm sorry @Anonymous but I have already installed MABs. I sent the screen shots when I try to configure it on the desktop side. I see no options to point to the local backup server, only cloud. Did you get a chance to look through the other replies?