Recommend a backup and recovery solution for databases
5 minutes
5 Questions
When designing backup and recovery solutions for databases in Azure, architects must consider several critical factors to ensure business continuity. The recommended approach varies based on database type, RPO (Recovery Point Objective), and RTO (Recovery Time Objective) requirements.
For Azure SQ…When designing backup and recovery solutions for databases in Azure, architects must consider several critical factors to ensure business continuity. The recommended approach varies based on database type, RPO (Recovery Point Objective), and RTO (Recovery Time Objective) requirements.
For Azure SQL Database, leverage built-in automated backups that provide point-in-time restore capabilities. Full backups occur weekly, differential backups every 12-24 hours, and transaction log backups every 5-10 minutes. Configure long-term retention (LTR) policies for compliance requirements, storing backups for up to 10 years. Enable geo-redundant backup storage (GRS) for cross-region protection.
For Azure SQL Managed Instance, similar automated backup features exist with additional control over backup schedules. Implement auto-failover groups for automatic geographic failover capabilities, providing near-zero RPO and minimal RTO.
For Azure Cosmos DB, continuous backup mode offers point-in-time restore within the last 30 days with one-second granularity. Periodic backup mode provides configurable intervals with longer retention periods. Multi-region writes ensure high availability across geographic locations.
For IaaS databases like SQL Server on Azure VMs, Azure Backup provides application-consistent snapshots with centralized management through Recovery Services vaults. Configure backup policies based on workload criticality, typically daily full backups with hourly log backups for mission-critical systems.
Key recommendations include: implementing Azure Site Recovery for disaster recovery orchestration, testing restore procedures regularly through documented runbooks, monitoring backup health through Azure Monitor alerts, and encrypting backups using customer-managed keys for enhanced security.
Consider hybrid scenarios using Azure Backup Server for on-premises databases requiring cloud-based protection. Evaluate costs across storage tiers, choosing between locally redundant, geo-redundant, or zone-redundant storage based on resilience requirements.
Document recovery procedures thoroughly, establish clear ownership for backup monitoring, and align backup strategies with broader organizational disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
Recommend a Backup and Recovery Solution for Databases
Why It Is Important
Database backup and recovery is critical for business continuity. Data loss can occur due to hardware failures, human errors, cyberattacks, or natural disasters. A well-designed backup strategy ensures that organizations can recover their data with minimal downtime and data loss, meeting their Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO).
What It Is
A database backup and recovery solution encompasses the strategies, tools, and configurations used to protect database workloads in Azure. This includes:
• Azure SQL Database automated backups - Full, differential, and transaction log backups • Azure SQL Managed Instance backups - Native SQL Server backup capabilities • Azure Backup for SQL Server on VMs - Agent-based backup solution • Long-term retention (LTR) - Storing backups for extended periods • Geo-replication - Cross-region database copies for disaster recovery
How It Works
Azure SQL Database: • Automated backups occur continuously with full backups weekly, differential backups every 12 hours, and transaction logs every 5-10 minutes • Point-in-time restore (PITR) allows recovery to any point within the retention period (7-35 days) • Long-term retention stores backups in Azure Blob storage for up to 10 years • Geo-restore uses geo-redundant backup storage for cross-region recovery
SQL Server on Azure VMs: • Azure Backup provides application-consistent backups • Supports full, differential, and log backups • Recovery Services vault stores and manages backups • Cross-region restore available with GRS vaults
Cosmos DB: • Continuous backup mode offers point-in-time restore • Periodic backup mode takes snapshots at configured intervals • Backups are stored in geo-redundant storage by default
Key Considerations for Solution Design
• RPO requirements - Determines backup frequency • RTO requirements - Influences recovery method selection • Data sovereignty - Affects geo-redundancy options • Cost optimization - Balance between retention periods and storage costs • Compliance requirements - May mandate specific retention periods
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Database Backup and Recovery
1. Know the default retention periods: Azure SQL Database defaults to 7 days PITR retention, expandable to 35 days
2. Understand RPO vs RTO: RPO relates to acceptable data loss (backup frequency), while RTO relates to acceptable downtime (recovery speed)
3. Match the solution to the database type: • Azure SQL Database → Built-in automated backups • SQL Server on VMs → Azure Backup service • Cosmos DB → Continuous or periodic backup modes
4. For long-term compliance: Always consider Long-term Retention (LTR) when questions mention regulatory requirements or retention beyond 35 days
5. For regional disasters: Geo-redundant backup storage (GRS) or active geo-replication are the appropriate answers
6. Cost-conscious scenarios: Locally redundant storage (LRS) is cheaper but provides no regional protection
7. When questions mention minimal administrative overhead: Prefer managed solutions like Azure SQL Database automated backups over manual configurations
8. Application consistency: Azure Backup for SQL VMs provides application-consistent snapshots, which is essential for transactional databases
9. Read scenario requirements carefully: Look for keywords like 'compliance,' 'years of retention,' 'cross-region,' or specific RPO/RTO values to guide your answer