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 backing up Azure VMs, SQL/SAP HANA/PostgreSQL, Files/Blobs/Disks, configuring vaults/policies, or using 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 Blob Storage (use azure-blob-storage), Azure Files (use azure-files).
compatibility	Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
metadata	{"generated_at":"2026-04-19","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-L67	Diagnosing and fixing Azure Backup errors across VMs, databases (SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SAP), files, disks, AKS, MARS/MABS/DPM, vault/agent issues, and slow or failed backups/restores.
Best Practices	L68-L78	Best practices for Azure Backup Server, DPM, SQL (incl. Always On), and Azure VMs, covering safe configuration, TRIM handling, and product-specific backup and recovery guidance.
Decision Making	L79-L85	Guidance on estimating Azure Backup costs, checking supported VM image SKUs for backup policies, and deciding how to migrate classic backup alerts to Azure Monitor alerts.
Architecture & Design Patterns	L86-L90	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	L91-L119	Backup support matrices, regional availability, limits, retention, and performance/behavior details for Azure Backup across VMs, databases, disks, files, blobs, SAP, and monitoring/reporting.
Security	L120-L160	Security, encryption, access control, soft delete, immutability, private endpoints, MUA/Resource Guard, and Azure Policy for protecting and restoring Azure Backup data.
Configuration	L161-L238	Configuring Azure Backup and restore: vaults, policies, agents, scripts/APIs, monitoring/alerts, and workload-specific setup for VMs, AKS, Files, Blobs, disks, SQL, SAP HANA, PostgreSQL, and AD.
Integrations & Coding Patterns	L239-L294	End-to-end scripting patterns for configuring, running, monitoring, and restoring Azure Backup across VMs, SQL, PostgreSQL, SAP HANA, Files, Blobs, Disks, and on-premises using CLI, PowerShell, REST, and Logic Apps.
Deployment	L295-L301	MABS v3/v4 deployment details: supported workload/protection matrices and how to automate unattended/silent installation of Azure Backup Server v4.

Troubleshooting

Topic	URL
Fix Azure Data Lake Storage backup errors with Azure Backup	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
Fix Azure Backup monitoring and protection status issues	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-monitor-troubleshoot

Best Practices

Topic	URL
Recover Azure Backup Server data from any vault-registered server	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-alternate-dpm-server
Configure DPM to back up Exchange to Azure safely	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-exchange-server
Back up SQL Server to Azure via DPM with TRIM handling	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-backup-sql
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 product-specific backup best practices in Azure Backup	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
Migrate Azure Backup classic alerts to Azure Monitor alerts	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/move-to-azure-monitor-alerts

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
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
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 behavior for PostgreSQL servers	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-server-faq
Support matrix for PostgreSQL single server backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-database-postgresql-support-matrix
Support matrix for MySQL Flexible Server long-term backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-mysql-flexible-server-support-matrix

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 soft delete for Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-enhanced-soft-delete-configure-manage
Use immutable vaults to protect Azure Backup data	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-immutable-vault-concept
Manage immutable vault settings for Azure Backup	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-immutable-vault-how-to-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
Use Azure Backup security features for hybrid workloads	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
Manage Azure Backup access using RBAC roles

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
Restore Azure VMs from Recovery Services vaults using portal

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
Use MABS v4 protection matrix for supported workloads	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-mabs-protection-matrix
Automate silent installation of Azure Backup Server v4	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-mabs-unattended-install
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