Is it possible to have a Geo-Redundant Backup of Azure File?

Question

I have a business requirement to have an "offsite" backup of our files stored on Azure File SMB.

Currently I have SMB share being backed up using Azure Backup (snapshots) but these are on LRS. Is there a way to change this based on the above requirement?

Answer 1

Hi Erwin,

In order to have Geo-redundant backup of Azure Files, the storage account that hosts the file share(s) must be switched to GRS or GZRS. In this way the Azure Backup snapshots of the share will be replicated to the paired Azure region. Upon failover, the file share will be available from the secondary region as well as your backups (snapshots).

Additionally, the recovery services vault should be geo-redundant as well even though the Azure Files backup data isn't stored in the vault. I mention this so that if a regional failure occurs the Azure Backup GUI interface in the portal still functions in case you want to use it to restore an Azure Files backup.

Please note there could be some data loss if primary region were to fail since there is a delay in syncing data to secondary region.

Please click Accept Answer if the above was helpful. If something is unclear or you still need assistance please add a comment.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

Azure Backup automatically handles storage for the vault. You need to specify how that storage is replicated.

1. From the Recovery Services vaults pane, select the new vault. In the Settings section, select Properties.
2. In Properties, under Backup Configuration, select Update.
3. For Storage replication type, select Geo-redundant, Locally-redundant, or Zone-redundant. Then select Save.

From the Recovery Services vaults pane, select the new vault. In the Settings section, select Properties.

In Properties, under Backup Configuration, select Update.

1. For Storage replication type, select Geo-redundant, Locally-redundant, or Zone-redundant. Then select Save. Reference article: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-create-recovery-services-vault