Rapid Recovery 6.5 adds support for a new repository type (Native Azure Storage) that enables direct repository connections to Microsoft Azure Blob storage.

Consider the following details when implementing this feature:

  • This feature has been released in Beta status to allow for evaluation and testing. In some circumstances, performance is not suitable for production environments.
  • This feature is intended for use as a replication target repository. Using an Azure repository for backup storage on a primary or source core is not recommended.
  • Metadata files must be stored locally.
  • Only one Azure repository is supported per Rapid Recovery Core

Complete the following steps to create an Azure Repository.

  1. Navigate to the Rapid Recovery Core Console.
  2. On the icon bar, click [More] (More), and then select Repositories.
  3. At the top of the page, under the Repositories page title, click + Create.
  4. Select Azure Repository.
  5. On the Configuration page, enter the information as described below:
    • Name - Enter the display name of the repository.

      By default, this text box consists of the word Repository and a number, which corresponds to the number of repositories for this Core. For example, if this is the first repository, the default name is Repository 1. Change the name as needed. Repository names must contain between 1 and 40 alphanumeric characters, including spaces. Do not use prohibited characters or prohibited phrases.

    • Comments - Optionally, enter a descriptive note about this repository. You can enter up to 254 characters.
  6. Click Next.
  7. On the Storage Location page, enter the following information:
    • Location - Specify the path to a storage location on Azure blob storage. Use only alphanumeric characters, hyphen, or period, with no spaces or special characters.
    • Dedupe cache location - Select Azure blobs or Local file system.
    • Index files location - Select Azure blobs or Local file system.
    • Data Storage account -Select the appropriate Azure Storage account. Refer to Cloud Accounts in the Rapid Recovery User Guide for more information.

      NOTE: If you have configured a Microsoft Azure Resource Management (for Virtual Export) account for use with VM export, that account cannot be used for the Azure repository.

    • Account name - Enter the name of your Microsoft Azure storage account. The name must match the storage account name in Azure precisely. It must contain lower case letters and numbers only, and be between 3 and 24 characters in length.
    • Access key - Enter the access key for your account. You can enter the primary or secondary key. Your access key can be found under the Settings > Access Keys section of your Azure Storage account.
    • Account type - Choose your Azure account type; for example Azure, Azure Germany, Azure China, or (US) Government.
    • Use https protocol - Select this option to use the secure https protocol instead of the standard http protocol.
  8. Click Next.
  9. On the Space Allocation page, specify the following :
    1. Azure repostory size in GB
    2. Deduplication cache size in GB
    3. When you have completed your repository configuration, click Finish.

      The Create Repository Wizard closes, and Rapid Recovery applies the settings to your Core. If Toast alerts are enabled, you see messages indicating that repository creation has started, and the repository is mounted. Alternatively, you can monitor the progress of the repository creation by viewing alerts on the Events page.

      After a brief pause, on the Repositories page, in the Repositories summary table, your new repository is listed