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 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 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: "2026-06-21" 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), useread_filewith the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g.,[security.md](security.md)), useread_fileon the linked reference file
IMPORTANT for Agent: If
metadata.generated_atis more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. Ifmcp_microsoftdocstools 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_fetchwith query stringfrom=learn-agent-skill. Returns Markdown. - Fallback: Use
fetch_webpagewith query stringfrom=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown. Returns Markdown.
Category Index
| Category | Lines | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | L37-L70 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Backup errors across VMs, disks, databases (SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SAP), files, blobs, AKS, MARS/MABS/DPM, vault management, monitoring, and restore issues. |
| Best Practices | L71-L82 | Best practices for backing up and restoring Hyper-V VMs, SQL Server (including Always On), Exchange, and Azure VMs using DPM/MABS and Azure Backup, with TRIM and safety considerations. |
| Decision Making | L83-L90 | Guidance on planning Azure Backup costs, checking supported VM SKUs, choosing reserved capacity for savings, and migrating classic backup alerts to Azure Monitor. |
| Architecture & Design Patterns | L91-L95 | 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 | L96-L132 | Backup limits, region support, retention, and support matrices for Azure workloads (VMs, disks, databases, files, blobs, AKS, MARS/MABS/DPM), plus metrics, quotas, and behavior constraints. |
| Security | L133-L174 | Securing Azure Backup with encryption, RBAC, managed identities, private endpoints, soft delete, immutability, MUA/Resource Guard, and policies for ransomware protection and compliant restores. |
| Configuration | L175-L253 | Configuring, automating, and monitoring Azure Backup for VMs, AKS, SQL, SAP HANA, Files, Blobs, Disks, AD, PostgreSQL, and MARS/DPM/MABS, including policies, diagnostics, and reporting. |
| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L254-L310 | 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 | L311-L319 | Deploying and managing Microsoft Azure Backup Server (MABS): backup of Azure VMs, supported workload matrices (v3/v4), silent install automation, and stopping protection for workloads. |
Troubleshooting
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 |
| 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
Security
Configuration
Integrations & Coding Patterns
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 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 |
| 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 |