Can I move data backed up by Azure Backup Agent to archive tier storage

Question

I have a file server (FS-1) that was being backed up to an Azure Recovery Services Vault via the Azure Backup Agent. That server was being backed up for approximately 4 years and has now been decommissioned. All the active data was moved over to a new server and the new server is now being backed up the same way. The problem is that all the backup data from the old server is now just sitting, not being used and collecting a hefty charge each month. We need to keep the data for retention purposes but would like to move it to a lower cost tier of storage as it is not being accessed. Is it possible to move this data into an archive storage tier that won't break the bank? And if so, how?

Answer 1

Hi @Josh Avant - Welcome to Microsoft Q&A community forum!

Am afraid to say that "Archive tier in Azure backup" does not support Azure backup agent.

Doc reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/archive-tier-support#supported-workloads

Also, backup data stored in a vault can't be moved to a different vault. Neither you can change storage redundancy from GRS to LRS. See the FAQ page - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-faq#can-i-move-backup-data-to-another-vault-

The only workaround is to create a new vault with LRS storage and re-protect the new server. Old data stays in old GRS vault till expiry, new data starts flowing into new LRS vault.

Caveats:
• Since this method creates a new copy in the new vault, there is additional storage cost in the beginning. If there is only short-term retention, the old data in GRS vault would expire soon and the double copy of storage would not exist after that period.
• However, if there is long term retention data in the GRS vault, you will continue to have to pay storage charges for GRS and LRS vaults till the GRS data expires.

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