Azure Backup always shows successful, but 0 bytes used and 260gb was transferred

Question

We are using the Microsoft Azure Backup software to have a daily off-site backup of our local office share.

1. The program is called Microsoft Azure Backup, but everywhere else calls it MARS or something. So it's confusing what it actually is called.
2. The backup runs successful, but the Azure Portal shows 0 bytes used. We have no idea if the files have been backed up. We cannot view them remotely or verify their existence. We do not have confidence that this system works. Can someone verify that this is normal behavior and tell us how we can know this is actually working, please? (see screenshots below)

Our successful first backup...

Our successful second incremental backup...

And ZERO bytes used..

Shows recovery points but no file size. We have no idea if anything is there.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello [Azure User]

You are correct, the windows file and folder backup agent from azure backup service is often referred to as "MARS" its abbreviation is "Microsoft Azure Recovery Services" used in many other features by Azure Recovery Services.

Coming to your issue, to confirm if your backup is consistent you can do a iSCSI mount of the volumes and browse through the recovery point to ensure the integrity of the backup. This link here got detailed guidance on how you can do that
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-restore-windows-server

Now, for the actual issue..

It appears to be an issue with the overview blade. You need to report this to azure technical support team to do the required diagnosis, they will have to fix this from the azure service side for you. You need to provide them with the network trace capture of the browse as you reproduce the issue. This article might help you collect those traces

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-portal/capture-browser-trace

As long as you backup is intact you need not worry. This may be cosmetic issue and can be fixed.

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