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Netsol-NOS

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How to move Azure VMs to new Archive Storage.

Dear EE,

I have 1 Resource Group

1) Region9

In which i have three Azure VMs,
1) Test 1
2) Test 2
3) Test 3

All the above three VMs storage are in different Resource Groups.

1) VM= Test1 = Resource Group = Region 9
Storage Account Resource Group = LHR

2) VM= Test2 = Resource Group = Region 9
Storage Account Resource Group = ISB

3) VM= Test3 = Resource Group = Region 9
Storage Account Resource Group = KHI


I have created one another Storage Account with the following details.
Replication: Locally-redundant storage (LRS)
Account Kind: StorageV2 (general purpose v2)
Data Lake Storage Gen2 : Disable
Access tier: Cool


The main REASON to create above new storage is to perform Archiving of all the Three VMs
Now i have created New container in this New Storage.

Now, what next.

What should i do (STEPS, CONFIGURATION etc) to move all the three VMs to new Storage and make it Archive.

Thanks
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Rohit Anand
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Netsol-NOS

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Dear Rohit,
Yes, your understanding is correct.

First of all thanks for your quick reply very much appreciated.

For your point number 4. Which i have already created.
4) Once the download of VHD will complete, Go to Storage Account and click on the storage account in which you want to configure it.

Can you please explain a little bit more that for Archiving which Storage account i should create e.g Hot or Cool, GPv1 or GPv2 etc etc.

Secondly, HOW CAN WE TAKE BENEFITS from ARCHIVING.

And if we need to restore that VM (VHD) which we have uploaded on Archive Storage what will be the steps.

Again, thank you for such a detail reply.

Regards,
Hi Netsol,

Thanks for your response. You can read about same in below URL and also go through FAQ's

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-in/azure/storage/blobs/storage-blob-storage-tiers

FAQ
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-in/azure/storage/blobs/storage-blob-storage-tiers

Do let me know, if you will be having doubt afterwards and can explain about restoration
Dear Rohit,

Thanks for your reply.

Secondly, HOW CAN WE TAKE BENEFITS from ARCHIVING.

Reason for asking the above question is if the above steps are the actual case.
Then do you think it is better to back up the VHDs in local HDD (dedicated HDD) as in one step we have to download the VHDs.

Regards
Yes, That was my doubt, why you using Azure Archiving? Its just, if any corruption will happen, you can use Azure Archive to restore the server. if its that, then its not a good idea.

Instead of same, you can use Azure Backup as a solution.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/backup/

Advantages of Archiving:
Lets understand with the example, you deployed an application which you dont want to use for now being.. and that application has some data which can be further use. But it doesn't mean that you always be making application on in Azure and paying for it. At that point of time, you can archive it and later on, you can shutdown the app services. it will help you to have the data with you by paying minimal cost.

This is how Archive help you to be sorted.
Dear Rohit,

For the restoration of VM,
Do the below steps are fine.

1) Download VHD from Blob Storage to my Laptop.
2) Upload the VHD from my Laptop to my Azure Storage Account.
3) Create Image from that VHD (which i upload from laptop)
4) Create VM.

Thanks
Hi Netsol,

Thanks for your response.

Its never be good idea to do the restoration of Azure VM using that process. Microsoft charge high amount for outbound data transfer and always VHD size never be too less and also inbound data transfer is free.

Do read about Outbound Data Transfer & Inbound Data transfer...
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/bandwidth/

Do follow below steps to restore VM:

1. First you need to enable the backup for VM:
Go to the Virtual Machines and select the virtual machines for which you want to do backup configuration
Click on same and go to Backup in left pane.
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2. Once the initial  backup will get completed for VM, you will get the option to Restore VM and you can restore it.
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Do learn more about using below  URL
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-vms-first-look-arm
Dear Rohit,

Thanks for the great explanation.
Actually, i am little concern for the restoration of VM from the Archiving activity.

The back process which you have explained is great. BUT
Like as you have explained earlier.

When you upload the VHD into Storage and make it archive from blob properties (i mean container properties) and leave it for 180 day.
After that Developer ask us to restore his VM.
Now in that case.

Do we have to download the VHD from Archive Blob storage?
And upload the same VHD into old storage account then create an image and then create new VM from that Image ?

Regards
If you are looking to that way, yes, you can download it and upload it and create an image and then create a new VM from that
Dear Rohit,

Thanks for your support and quick reply.

One more query, what is the COST of backup. do you have any link to calculate the costing of VM Backup.

Regards,
Hi Netsol,

This will help you to understand about pricing for Azure Backup.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/pricing/details/backup/
Excellent support provided by Mr. Rohit Anand.
Even he has answered my questions out of my actual question.

Thank you, Rohit for a great support.
Thanks Sir, if you can write a Testimonial for me in EE will be great
Dear Rohit,

After taking the Backup (which you have mentioned in above)
Back Procedure Steps By Rohit

1) CAN WE DELETE THE ORIGINAL VM.
2) CAN WE RESTORE THE VM  FROM BACKUP AFTER DELETING THE ORIGINAL VM.

Thanks
Yes, I tried it and able to restore same. Will Confirm you once complete restoration will done.

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Hi Netsol,

I successfully restored VM from backup
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