azure-backup

name	azure-backup
description	Expert knowledge for Azure Backup development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when protecting Azure VMs, SQL/SAP HANA, AKS, Files/Blobs, or automating Azure Backup via CLI/PowerShell/REST, and other Azure Backup related development tasks. Not for Azure Site Recovery (use azure-site-recovery), Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-virtual-machines), Azure Virtual Network (use azure-virtual-network).
compatibility	Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
metadata	{"generated_at":"2026-08-02","generator":"docs2skills/1.0.0"}

Azure Backup Skill

This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Backup. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.

How to Use This Skill

IMPORTANT for Agent: Use the Category Index below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., L35-L120), use read_file with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., [security.md](security.md)), use read_file on the linked reference file

IMPORTANT for Agent: If metadata.generated_at is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If mcp_microsoftdocs tools are not available, suggest the user install it: Installation Guide

This skill requires network access to fetch documentation content:

• Preferred: Use mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch with query string from=learn-agent-skill. Returns Markdown.
• Fallback: Use fetch_webpage with query string from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown. Returns Markdown.

Category Index

Category	Lines	Description
Troubleshooting	L37-L70	Diagnosing and fixing backup/restore errors, performance issues, and agent/extension problems across Azure Backup workloads (VMs, disks, databases, Kubernetes, Files, Blobs, SAP, MARS, DPM).
Best Practices	L71-L81	Best practices for securing Azure Backup data and configuring reliable backups/restores for Azure VMs, Hyper-V, SQL Always On, DPM/MABS workloads, and vault-registered servers.
Decision Making	L82-L91	Guidance on planning Azure Backup costs, choosing storage/reserved capacity, supported VM SKUs, crash-consistent and offline backup options, and migrating classic alerts to Azure Monitor.
Architecture & Design Patterns	L92-L96	Azure Backup’s architecture for protecting SAP HANA: components, data flow, backup/restore process, scalability, security, and integration with Azure storage and recovery services.
Limits & Quotas	L97-L133	Backup limits, quotas, support matrices, regions, and behaviors for Azure workloads (VMs, disks, files, blobs, databases, SAP, AKS), plus monitoring metrics and reporting constraints.
Security	L134-L171	Securing Azure Backup: encryption, RBAC/MIs, private endpoints, soft delete, ransomware protection, Azure Policy/MUA/Resource Guard, and secure restore of encrypted/Confidential/hybrid workloads.
Configuration	L172-L258	Configuring Azure Backup for VMs, AKS, SQL, SAP HANA, Files, Blobs, Disks, and on-prem agents; setting policies, diagnostics, monitoring, automation, and vault/immutability settings.
Integrations & Coding Patterns	L259-L315	Automating Azure Backup via CLI, PowerShell, REST, and scripts for VMs, SQL, PostgreSQL, Files, Blobs, Disks, MARS/on-prem, plus policies, vaults, jobs, restores, and security/reporting integrations.
Deployment	L316-L323	Guides for deploying and managing Azure Backup Server (MABS): backup of local VMs, supported workload matrices for v3/v4, automating silent installs, and stopping protection for workloads.

Troubleshooting

Topic	URL
Diagnose and fix Azure Data Lake Storage backup errors	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-data-lake-storage-backup-troubleshoot
Troubleshoot Azure Kubernetes Service backups with Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-backup-troubleshoot
Troubleshoot data recovery from Microsoft Azure Backup Server	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-alternate-dpm-server-troubleshoot
Resolve Azure Backup Vault management errors	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-vault-troubleshoot
Resolve Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server backup and restore issues	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-flex-troubleshoot
Troubleshoot Azure Database for PostgreSQL backups with Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-troubleshoot
Diagnose and fix encrypted Azure VM backup errors	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-encrypted-vm-troubleshoot
Troubleshoot Azure Backup Server installation and workload protection	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-mabs-troubleshoot
Resolve Azure Backup (MARS) agent installation and backup issues	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-mars-troubleshoot
Resolve Azure Backup monitoring and reporting issues	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-monitor-alert-faq

Best Practices

Topic	URL
Apply Azure Backup security best practices for data	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-backup-data-protection-best-practices
Back up and restore Hyper-V VMs with MABS	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/back-up-hyper-v-virtual-machines-mabs
Recover Azure Backup Server data from any vault-registered server	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-alternate-dpm-server
Prepare DPM server for Azure backups with TRIM considerations	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-dpm-introduction
Apply Azure VM backup best practices with Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-vms-introduction
Back up SQL Server Always On availability groups with Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-sql-server-on-availability-groups
Apply Azure Backup best practices for workloads	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/guidance-best-practices

Decision Making

Topic	URL
Estimate and plan Azure Backup costs for different workloads	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-backup-pricing
Check VM image SKUs supported by Azure Backup policies	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-policy-supported-skus
Choose Azure Backup reserved capacity to reduce storage costs	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-reserved-pricing-optimize-cost
Choose and configure crash-consistent Azure VM backups	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview
Migrate Azure Backup classic alerts to Azure Monitor alerts	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/move-to-azure-monitor-alerts
Choose offline backup options in Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/offline-backup-overview

Architecture & Design Patterns

Topic	URL
Understand Azure Backup architecture for SAP HANA	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-backup-architecture-for-sap-hana-backup

Limits & Quotas

Topic	URL
Azure Backup for AKS FAQs and constraints	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/aks-backup-faq
Understand Azure Data Lake Storage backup support matrix	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-data-lake-storage-backup-support-matrix
Elastic SAN backup regional support and limitations	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-elastic-san-backup-support-matrix
Review Azure Files backup support limits and settings	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-file-share-support-matrix
Check AKS backup region support and limitations	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-backup-support-matrix
Azure Backup service limits, behaviors, and constraints	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-faq
Review Azure Cosmos DB backup support limits	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-cosmos-db-support-matrix
PostgreSQL Flexible Server backup capabilities and retention	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-flex-overview
Support matrix for PostgreSQL Flexible Server backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-flex-support-matrix
Overview and retention limits for Azure PostgreSQL backups	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-overview
Azure Backup limits for PostgreSQL server backups

Security

Topic	URL
Enforce AKS backup compliance using Azure Policy	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-backup-policy
Configure and manage Azure Backup soft delete protection	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-enhanced-soft-delete-configure-manage
Use private endpoints (v2) to secure Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-private-endpoints-concept
Configure and manage Azure Backup private endpoints	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-private-endpoints-configure-manage
Restore Key Vault keys and secrets for encrypted Azure VMs via Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-restore-key-secret
Secure hybrid backups with Azure Backup features	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-security-feature
Back up and restore encrypted Azure VMs with Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-vms-encryption
Understand encryption behavior in Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-encryption
Configure Azure RBAC roles for Recovery Services backups	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-rbac-rs-vault
Configure managed identities and RBAC for Backup vault	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/enable-managed-identity-backup-vault
Configure managed identities and RBAC for Recovery Services vault	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/enable-managed-identity-recovery-services-vault

Configuration

Topic	URL
Configure Azure Backup for Active Directory domain controllers	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/active-directory-backup-restore
Automate Azure Backup operations with scripts and APIs	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/automation-backup
Manage backup protection for Azure Data Lake Storage	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-data-lake-storage-backup-manage
Configure vaulted backups for Azure Data Lake Storage	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-data-lake-storage-configure-backup
Configure and run AKS backups with Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-backup
Meet prerequisites and configure access for AKS backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-backup-concept
Configure AKS backups with Azure Backup via CLI	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-backup-using-cli
Configure AKS backup extension and trusted access	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-manage-backups
Restore AKS clusters and volumes using Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-kubernetes-service-cluster-restore
Configure Azure Backup vault diagnostics via Azure Policy	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/azure-policy-configure-diagnostics
Configure SQL Server instance snapshot backups on Azure VMs

Integrations & Coding Patterns

Topic	URL
Back up PostgreSQL Flexible Server using Azure CLI	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/back-up-azure-database-postgresql-flex-backup-cli
Back up PostgreSQL Flexible Server using PowerShell	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/back-up-azure-database-postgresql-flex-backup-powershell
Configure and run VM backups via REST API	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-backupazurevms
Create Azure Backup policies using REST API	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-createorupdatepolicy
Create Recovery Services vaults using Backup REST API	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-createorupdatevault
Track Azure Backup jobs using REST API	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-managejobs
Restore Azure VMs and disks using REST API	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-restoreazurevms
Configure PostgreSQL backups using Data Protection REST API	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-data-protection-use-rest-api-backup-postgresql
Restore PostgreSQL Flexible Server using Azure CLI	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-flex-restore-cli
Restore PostgreSQL Flexible Server using PowerShell	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-flex-restore-powershell

Deployment

Topic	URL
Back up Azure Local VMs with MABS	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/back-up-azure-stack-hyperconverged-infrastructure-virtual-machines
Use MABS v4 protection support matrix	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-mabs-protection-matrix
Stop protection for workloads in MABS	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-server-stop-protection
Use MABS v3 RTM protection matrix for supported workloads	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/microsoft-azure-backup-server-protection-v3
Use MABS v3 UR1 protection matrix for supported workloads	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/microsoft-azure-backup-server-protection-v3-ur1