Recover data from Azure Backup Server

This article describes how to recover data from Azure Backup Server.

Note

When the trim is performed within the guest OS, the tracking of incremental blocks is reset, resulting in a full backup. The trim within the guest OS releases unused blocks of the virtual disk (VHDX) and optimizes the disk size. However, this reduces the size of the VHDX and changes the SequenceNumber of the tracked incremental blocks, resulting in a full backup size. Unless the purpose is to improve the efficiency of storage on the Hyper-V host side, we recommend you to stop the trim process within the guest to avoid an increase in backup size.

You can use Azure Backup Server to recover the data you've backed-up to a Recovery Services vault. The process for doing so is integrated into the Azure Backup Server management console, and is similar to the recovery workflow for other Azure Backup components.

Note

This article is applicable for System Center Data Protection Manager 2012 R2 with UR7 or later, combined with the latest Azure Backup agent.

Recover the data

To recover data from an Azure Backup Server, follow these steps:

  1. On the Recovery tab of the Azure Backup Server management console, select 'Add External DPM' (at the top left of the screen).

    Screenshot shows how to add external DPM.

  2. Download new vault credentials from the vault associated with the Azure Backup Server where the data is being recovered, choose the Azure Backup Server from the list of Azure Backup Servers registered with the Recovery Services vault, and provide the encryption passphrase associated with the server whose data is being recovered.

    Screenshot shows how to download the external DPM credentials.

    Note

    Only Azure Backup Servers associated with the same registration vault can recover each other’s data.

    Once the External Azure Backup Server is successfully added, you can browse the data of the external server and the local Azure Backup Server from the Recovery tab.

  3. Browse the available list of production servers protected by the external Azure Backup Server and select the appropriate data source.

    Screenshot shows how to browse external DPM server.

  4. Select the month and year from the Recovery points drop down, select the required Recovery date for when the recovery point was created, and select the Recovery time.

    A list of files and folders appears in the bottom pane, which can be browsed and recovered to any location.

    Screenshot shows the external DPM Server recovery points.

  5. Right-click the appropriate item and select Recover.

    Screenshot shows how to start external DPM recovery.

  6. Review the Recover Selection. Verify the data and time of the backup copy being recovered, as well as the source from which the backup copy was created. If the selection is incorrect, select Cancel to navigate back to recovery tab to select appropriate recovery point. If the selection is correct, select Next.

    Screenshot shows the external DPM recovery summary.

  7. Select Recover to an alternate location. Browse to the correct location for the recovery.

    Screenshot shows how to start the external DPM recovery to an alternate location.

  8. Choose the option related to create copy, Skip, or Overwrite.

    • Create copy - creates a copy of the file if there's a name collision.

    • Skip - if there's a name collision, it doesn't recover the file, which leaves the original file.

    • Overwrite - if there's a name collision, it overwrites the existing copy of the file.

      Choose the appropriate option to Restore security. You can apply the security settings of the destination computer where the data is being recovered or the security settings that were applicable to product at the time the recovery point was created.

      Identify whether a Notification is sent, once the recovery successfully completes.

      Screenshot shows how to view the external DPM recovery notifications.

  9. The Summary screen lists the options chosen so far. Once you select Recover, the data is recovered to the appropriate on-premises location.

    Screenshot shows how to view the external DPM recovery options summary.

    Note

    The recovery job can be monitored in the Monitoring tab of the Azure Backup Server.

    Screenshot shows how to monitor the recovery.

  10. You can select Clear External DPM on the Recovery tab of the DPM server to remove the view of the external DPM server.

    Screenshot shows how to clear external DPM.

Next steps

Read the other FAQs: