Getting Started with Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure
Topic
This article describes an overview of Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure solution, system requirements, and how to pair a new protected system.
Environment
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Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure
Description
- System Requirements
- Limitations
- Pairing
- Manual Backup
- Pause Backups
- Differential Merge Backup
- Frequently Asked Questions
System requirements
OS |
Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure supports Core, Essentials, Standard and Datacenter editions of the following operating systems:
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Memory requirements |
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Disk space requirements |
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Network |
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Anti-virus exceptions |
Create exceptions for Datto Cloud Continuity Service and the DattoProvider service: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files\Datto\Datto Cloud Continuity\DattoCloudContinuity.exe %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files\Datto\Datto Cloud Continuity\DattoProvider.exe Allow the following file: %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\DattoCbt.sys |
Other Requirements |
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Limitations
- While there is now Multi-Session OS support, FSLogix profiles associated with these session hosts are NOT being backed up at this time.
- Cloud virtualizations have limitations with AADDS (Azure Active Directory Domain Services )
- System compression, also known as "Compact OS", is a Windows feature that allows rarely modified files to be compressed using the XPRESS or LZX compression formats and is NOT supported.
- Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure does not currently support systems with REFS volumes present.
- Backing up external/removable drives is unsupported. See Volume Level Backup Control for Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure for more information.
- Backup of User Profile Disks used by the Remote Desktop Service is unsupported. Remote Desktop Service (external link). These volumes should be excluded from backups.
- Backup and virtualization of of deduplicated volumes is untested and may produce inconsistent results, particularly with File Restores . Use an alternate restore method where the volume is mounted in Windows to avoid these scenarios.
- If you are protecting any volumes on your machine using an anti-virus software that uses VSS to allow for rollback remediation or snapshotting in the event of a security / encryption breach (like SentinelOne, for example), this will need to disabled in order for the Windows agent to properly backup these volumes.
Pairing
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In the Datto Partner Portal, click the Status tab, then select BCDR Status from the drop-down menu.
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Find your Cloud SIRIS on the BCDR Status page. If the system detects unprotected Microsoft Azure VMs that it can add to the appliance, you will see a Protect a System icon. Click the icon to continue.
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In the pop-up window, select any additional VMs to protect. The Microsoft Azure Region and Subscription information will be locked to the options previously selected for other Protected Systems during device registration.
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Check the box to Reboot VMs after installation to trigger a reboot with the paired system and ensure snapshots will complete successfully after the Datto Agent software has been installed. Then, click the PROTECT SYSTEM button. Once you have made your selections, click PROTECT SYSTEM to finish the process.
The BCDR Status page will update to reflect the newly protected system. It's status will show as installing until the Datto Agent software finishes installing on the Azure VM. The system's first backup will begin shortly after installation completes.
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When the device finishes installing, reboot the Microsoft Azure VM. Once the reboot completes, your protected Microsoft Azure VMs will display in the Protected System column, and backups will begin.
Manual Backup
Datto Backup for Microsoft Azure automatically runs a backup every hour on a 24/7 schedule. You can also manually initiate a backup from the BCDR Status page. Click the kebab icon on the far right of the protected system listing and choose Start Backup from the menu.
Pause Backups
In the same menu on the right of the protected system listing is the option to pause the backup for a set period of time. Once paused, the menu items will be replaced with the option to resume the backups.
Differential Merge Backup
Differential merge backups are a special type of backup that traverses the entire live backup dataset of the protected server, compares it to the protected system volumes, and backs up new changes.
It is not normally necessary to run differential merge backup, and they can take quite a bit longer than standard backups. Differential Merge backups are more resource intensive on the Cloud SIRIS, so it is best to avoid forcing these for multiple agents simultaneously. Manually initiating a differential merge can sometimes help resolve backup problems. They can be a good alternative to creating a new full backup as they offer the benefit of continuing the existing backup chain and require less space than a full backup. If it does not resolve the issue on the next backup, contact Datto Technical Support.
You can run a differential merge backup in the same way as the manual backup outlined above. Click the kebab icon on the far right of the protected system listing and choose Start Diff Merge from the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Microsoft Azure-provided managed disk encryption solution does Datto Support?
Datto backups, file restores, instant virtualizations, image exports, and Microsoft Azure Restores are unencrypted.
- Any files that are encrypted-at-rest within a given fileystem at the time of backup are restored in an encrypted-at-rest state.
- For more information on Microsoft Azure Encryption and how it works with the Datto solution, refer to: new Article