Before you configure backups, review your Azure environment and make a few key decisions about authentication, infrastructure placement, and storage.
Choose an onboarding method
| Onboarding method | Commvault SaaS | Commvault software | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express configuration | ✓ | ✗ | • You want Commvault to create Azure applications automatically and provide the fastest onboarding experience • A Microsoft Entra Global Administrator or Application Administrator can be available during onboarding to approve the Azure application creation and permission grant process |
| Custom configuration, with hosted infrastructure | ✓ | ✓ | • You want to manage Azure applications and permissions yourself without deploying your own access nodes • Your Commvault service provider has enabled resource pools |
| Custom configuration, with self-managed infrastructure | ✓ | ✓ | You want to manage your own access nodes or want to use managed identities |
Choose an authentication method
| Authentication method | Commvault SaaS | Commvault software | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managed identity | ✓ | ✓ | • Your access nodes run in Azure and have assigned identities • You want Azure to manage authentication without storing credentials |
| Azure application and secret | ✓ | ✓ | You need explicit control over Azure permissions, or managed identities aren't available |
Decide where backup infrastructure runs
Backup infrastructure consists of the access nodes that perform data protection operations.
| Infrastructure option | Commvault SaaS | Commvault software | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosted infrastructure | ✓ | ✓ | You want your Commvault service provider to manage the access nodes used for data protection operations |
| Self-managed infrastructure | ✓ | ✓ | You want to deploy and manage Azure VM access nodes in your own environment |
Decide how backup storage is managed
| Storage option | Commvault SaaS | Commvault software | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundled storage | ✓ | ✗ | You want Commvault to automatically deploy and manage backup storage |
| Self-managed storage | ✓ | ✓ | You want to select and manage your own backup storage |