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Cloud protection with Windows Azure Backup

Sky Blue

Microsoft is continuing to offer new features – both for installable ("on premise") software as well as services that run in the Azure cloud. A recent example of a new cloud feature is Windows Azure Backup [1], which gives users the ability to back up in the cloud. The Windows Azure service latches on to the internal data backup feature in Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 and lets you create a custom schedule for data backups to the cloud. Windows Azure can run in parallel with existing backups or as a complete data backup solution. Data is encrypted in the cloud and, of course, during transmission, to stay safe from prying eyes.

With Windows Azure, you can even back up entire virtual servers, including their configurations, in the cloud. The service is compatible with the new Windows Server 2012 R2, even in the Essentials edition, as well as with older products, like Windows Server 2008 R2. Billing is based on the compressed files that are stored in the cloud during a billing period of one month [2].

Getting Started

To use or test Windows Azure Backup, you need a free Windows Azure account. Windows Azure is integrated into Windows backup after installing the client software and can be enabled and configured separately from a local backup. In contrast to SkyDrive and others, Windows Azure is for backing up data only, not for sharing data.

Additionally, you need an agent that can save the data online in Windows Azure; you will find this on the Azure portal [3]. The familiar Windows backup interface is used for backing up and restoring. You can also control the process in Windows PowerShell; a separate module exists for this.

Windows Azure supports incremental backups, in which case it only transfers the changed

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