How to restore Azure VM in offline mode

Question

How to restore Azure VM in offline mode

DistinctMediocrity 1

I'm using Azure Recovery Services Vault to backup a VM nightly. I need to restore one of the backups to a "new vm" to test recovery process. Last time I attempted to do this, when the restore was completed it powered on the VM with the same computer name in AD as the existing VM and hijacked the DNS.

How can I restore the backup to a new VM and change the computer name before it powers on and hijacks the DNS? Something similar to restore a backup in vmware, you just restore it "offline" and console in and update any settings that will conflict.

prmanhas-MSFT 17,946 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2021-01-15T10:04:57.907+00:00

@DistinctMediocrity Any update on the issue?

Please "Accept as Answer" if it helped so it can help others in community looking for help on similar topics.

Thank
Casey T Cook 21 Reputation points

2021-01-19T19:23:37.317+00:00

See continuation of this question here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/236835/restoring-vm-and-changing-computer-name-in-os.html

I posted this question then changed my DisplayName and URL in the settings for this portal and lost access to this question. It just takes me to a URL for an external login, with a blank screen. Nothing I've tried allowed me to get back to it. I had to create another account and post the question again.

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prmanhas-MSFT 17,946 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator

2021-01-15T10:04:57.907+00:00

@DistinctMediocrity Any update on the issue?

Please "Accept as Answer" if it helped so it can help others in community looking for help on similar topics.

Thank
Casey T Cook 21 Reputation points

2021-01-19T19:23:37.317+00:00

See continuation of this question here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/236835/restoring-vm-and-changing-computer-name-in-os.html

I posted this question then changed my DisplayName and URL in the settings for this portal and lost access to this question. It just takes me to a URL for an external login, with a blank screen. Nothing I've tried allowed me to get back to it. I had to create another account and post the question again.

Answer 1

Restoring a VM in Azure with renaming the computer name (inside OS) isn't possible as far as I know.

But for testing the restore process it's possible to use a different Vnet which is should not be peered with the "productive" Vnet.
This way the restored VM will not hijack the DNS record.
Maybe this helps: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-restore-vms#create-a-vm

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten

Answer 2

SadiqhAhmed-MSFT 49,331 Microsoft Employee Moderator

Hello @DistinctMediocrity
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A community platform.

Regarding your question: We usually recommend to restore to an ‘offline’ VNET which can’t reach the production VNET, DNS, & AD. This way the restored VM can be brought online without conflicts. If you need the VM to be domain connected for testing, you could rename it in the ‘offline’ network and then move it over to the production network.

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If the response helped, do "Accept Answer" and up-vote it

Andreas Baumgarten 123.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-01-13T09:45:09.893+00:00

Another option for testing is a restore of a domain controller in the test/offline VNET as well.
Same is for related other VMs required for testing.

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten

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How to restore Azure VM in offline mode

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