Detailed information about Azure Backup Architecture – Management Plane, Data Plane and Workloads

Azure Backup provides a comprehensive and scalable solution for protecting data in Azure and on-premises environments. Its architecture is divided into key components: Management Plane, Data Plane, and Workloads. Below is a detailed explanation of each:

Management Plane

The Management Plane in Azure Backup is responsible for configuring, managing, monitoring, and orchestrating backup operations. It ensures a seamless user experience and includes the following key elements:

Key Components

1. Azure Portal: The graphical interface where users can configure and manage backup policies, review logs, and monitor jobs. Enables creation of Recovery Services Vaults for storing backup metadata and policies.

2. Azure Backup Service (Control Service): The backend orchestration engine that manages backup workflows. Handles tasks like triggering backups, monitoring job status, enforcing policies, and managing restores. Uses Azure Resource Manager (ARM) for consistent management across resources.

3. Backup Policy Management: Policies for backup schedules (daily, weekly, etc.) and retention (short-term or long-term). Configured through the Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, CLI, or REST API.

4. Monitoring and Reporting: Backup job health and status tracking via Azure Monitor. Integration with Azure Log Analytics for advanced querying and insights. Alerts and notifications for backup failures or policy violations.

Data Plane

The Data Plane is responsible for the actual movement, encryption, and storage of backup data. It manages how backup data flows between the source and Azure and ensures security and scalability.

Key Components

1. Backup Data Transfer: Uses HTTPS for secure data movement from the source to the backup location. Supports optimized transfer using incremental backups (only changed data is sent).

2. Storage Options: Backup data is stored in Azure Storage within Recovery Services Vaults:

   • Locally Redundant Storage (LRS): Stores three copies of data within the same region.

   • Geo-Redundant Storage (GRS): Stores six copies of data across two regions for disaster recovery.

3. Data Encryption: Data is encrypted during transit and at rest using AES-256 encryption. Option to use customer-managed keys (CMK) in Azure Key Vault.

4. Restore Operations: Data is retrieved securely through the Data Plane when initiating a restore request. Supports restoring to the original location or alternate locations.

Workloads

Azure Backup supports diverse workloads in the cloud and on-premises. These workloads include files, databases, virtual machines, and more.

Key Workloads

1. Azure Workloads:

   • Azure Virtual Machines: Full VM backups, incremental backups, and file-level restore.

   • Azure SQL Databases and Managed Instances: Automated point-in-time backups and long-term retention.

   • Azure Files: Backup support for Azure Files and Azure File Sync.

2. On-Premises Workloads:

   • Microsoft SQL Server: Supports backup of databases to Azure using Microsoft Azure Backup Server (MABS) or the SQL backup plugin.

   • Hyper-V and VMware VMs: Backup using Azure Backup Server or Azure Site Recovery.

   • Windows and Linux File Servers: Supports backing up files and folders directly to Azure.

3. Specialized Applications:

   Oracle databases, SAP HANA on Azure, and other workloads via integration with third-party solutions or custom scripts.

4. Integration with Azure Site Recovery:

   Provides disaster recovery alongside backup for more comprehensive business continuity solutions.

Key Flow in Azure Backup Architecture

1. Backup Initiation: A user or automation triggers a backup operation via the Azure Portal, PowerShell, or API. Backup metadata and policies are stored in the Recovery Services Vault (Management Plane).

2. Data Transfer: The Azure Backup service orchestrates data movement (Data Plane). Securely transfers and stores backup data in Azure storage.

3. Monitoring and Alerts: Backup jobs are continuously monitored, and alerts are sent for failures or compliance breaches.

4. Restore Process: Restore operations are initiated from the Management Plane. Data is retrieved securely through the Data Plane and restored to the target workload.

Summary: Illustrative Diagram (High-Level)

If you need a diagram to visualize the architecture, it can be structured as:

1. Top Layer: Azure Portal, PowerShell, APIs (Management Plane interface)

2. Middle Layer: Azure Backup Orchestration (Management Plane backend)

3. Bottom Layer: Recovery Services Vault, Data Encryption, Azure Storage (Data Plane)

Side Nodes: On-premises workloads, Azure workloads, and their integration points.