Constraints on storage accounts specified as Azure VMs as restore destinations

[Asahi]

Hi,

We are considering backing up to Immutable enabled Azure Blob Storage.
Storage redundancy will use GRS.
The Veeam documentation says that all types of Azure Storage redundancy will be supported.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120

So far, I believe this is a supported configuration and I see nothing wrong with it.

My question is about the restrictions when restoring as an Azure VM.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120

It says here that GRS enabled storage accounts are not supported.
I understand that this is a restriction regarding the storage account to which the Azure VM will be restored, not the Azure storage account where the backup was stored.

Is it correct to say that the reason GRS is not supported is that if the storage account that is the restore destination is GRS, the GRS feature will cause asynchronous replication, which will affect the VM restore operation?

Kind Regards,
Asahi,
Climb Inc.

[david.domask]

Hi Asahi,

Correct, the limitation is specifically on the restored VM and the storage account is selected on this step; so it's not about your Blob Storage repository, just on restores.

I'm not immediately familiar with the history of this limitation, let me do a bit of research and I'll update the thread with a more clear explanation, but for your testing purposes, please follow the User Guide requirements and use a non-GRS storage account.

[david.domask]

@Asahi,

The limitation is due to incompatibility with unmanaged disks, which have restrictions and limitations with GZRS/GRS enabled storage accounts.

As Microsoft is deprecating unmanaged disks this year, this limitation will self-resolve, and since v12 we use modern managed disks. So in short, likely you can ignore this restriction, it will no longer be relevant once unmanaged disks are fully deprecated.

[Asahi]

Hi David,

Thank you for reply.

Thank you for the very valuable information.
At this time, I am aware that Azure storage accounts that do not have GRS enabled can be designated as restore destinations.

If this restriction on Microsoft's part is removed, the Veeam documentation will be updated, correct?

Kind Regards,
Asahi,
Climb Inc.

[david.domask]

You're very welcome for the information.

To be clear, Microsoft will be deprecating unmanaged disks, which are the source of this limitation. Will make a note to revisit the documentation when it's removed and ensure it gets updated.