Configure and validate backups for Azure Virtual Machines

To protect Azure VMs, create an Azure hypervisor, define the VMs to protect, and associate them with a backup plan.

Backup configuration

Start the configuration

1. From the Command Center navigation pane, go to Explore > Service catalog.

2. On the Virtual machines tile, click Configure.

3. Click Microsoft Azure.

Create the Azure hypervisor

An Azure hypervisor represents the Azure subscription that contains the VMs you want to protect.

The onboarding workflow determines how Azure access is configured and where backup operations run.

Configure Azure access

Configure Azure access using the onboarding method and authentication method you selected during planning.

Select backup infrastructure

If you use self-managed infrastructure, select the access node you deployed.

Add the Azure subscription

1. Enter a name for the Azure hypervisor.

2. Enter the Azure subscription ID.

Create a VM group and assign a backup plan

A VM group is a set of Azure VMs you want to back up with the same settings.

1. Select the Azure resources to protect.

   In most environments, use rules to dynamically select VMs. You can also select resources directly. For more information, see Configuring VM groups, sets of VMs to back up with the same settings.

2. Preview the VM group to verify that the expected VMs are included.

3. Select a backup plan.

   The backup plan defines backup frequency, retention, storage, and additional backup copies.

   If you use self-managed storage and don't already have a suitable backup plan, create a backup plan and storage.

   If you use bundled storage, select the region to store backups in. Commvault automatically deploys and manages the required backup storage in that region.

4. Review the summary and save the configuration.

Validation

Verify the configuration

Confirm the following:

• The hypervisor appears in the list of configured hypervisors.

• The VM group contains the expected VMs.

• The backup plan is associated with the VM group.

Test backup protection

Run a test backup to verify that Azure access, permissions, access nodes, and snapshot operations are configured correctly.

1. From the Command Center navigation pane, go to Protect > Virtual machines.

2. In the row for the Azure VM, click the , and then click Troubleshoot > Test backup.

3. Optionally, select an access node.

   If you don't select an access node, Commvault uses the first access node that is associated with the Azure hypervisor.

4. Select one of the following backup types:

   • File system and application consistent: Creates an application-consistent snapshot by using Azure VM restore points.

   • Crash consistent: Creates a point-in-time snapshot without quiescing applications.

5. Click Test backup.

6. Confirm that the test backup completes successfully.

If the test backup fails, review the error details. Common causes include Azure permission issues, access node connectivity problems, Azure snapshot operation failures, and Azure subscription access issues.

Test a restore

To confirm that you can restore data, perform a simple file restore.

1. From the Command Center navigation pane, go to Protect > Virtual machines.

2. Click the VM group, and then click a VM.

3. In the Recovery points tile, select a recent backup.

4. Click Restore.

5. Select Guest files, and then restore a small file or folder.

6. Verify that the restored data is accessible.