Azure Site Recovery between Azure regions in public preview
Today we are extending Azure Site Recovery to support the failover of applications running within Azure. The set of features customers have used for replication and disaster recovery from on-premises to Azure are now available from one Azure region to another. Customers can create recovery plans between Azure regions, test failovers between Azure regions and replicate their applications to any other Azure region. You can set up Azure to Azure site recovery in a few minutes and have confidence that Azure meets your compliance needs. To learn more, check out our blog and documentation.My learning path to the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate!
Dear Microsoft Azure Friends, When I read from Microsoft Learn that there was again a Windows Server exam along with Microsoft Azure, I was excited. The new certification is called: Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate! This certification consists of two exams: AZ-800 and AZ-801. If you successfully pass both exams you will receive the certification. This article is all about the AZ-801 exam. I have described my learning path to the AZ-800 in this article! https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/azure/my-preparations-for-the-exam-az-800-administering-windows-server/m-p/3262042 After I had passed the AZ-800, I quickly asked myself, will the AZ-801 be even more difficult? For me, it is always best to read the skills measured first. This gives me a first impression of the exam. Now let me show you how my preparation for the exam was: 1. First of all, I looked at the Exam Topics to get a first impression of the scope of topics. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-801 Please take a close look at the skills assessed: https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RWKPgH 2. So that I can prepare for an exam I need an Azure test environment (this is indispensable for me). You can sign up for a free trial here. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/ I have also set up a small local test environment with a couple of Windows Server 2022. You can get the operating systems directly from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-11-enterprise https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-admin-center 3. Now it goes to the Microsoft Learning paths content. Work through the learning paths at your leisure. They are really super helpful to prepare for the exam. At this point, many thanks to Microsoft Learn ( SandraMarin ) for the great learning content: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/secure-windows-server-premises-hybrid-infrastructures/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-windows-server-high-availability/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-disaster-recovery-windows-server-premises/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/migrate-servers-workloads-premises-hybrid-environments/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/monitor-troubleshoot-windows-server-environments/ 4. Register for the exam early. This creates some pressure and you stay motivated. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-801 5. Please also have a look at thomasmaurer 's website this is also very helpful! https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2022/03/az-801-exam-study-guide-configuring-windows-server-hybrid-advanced-services/ 6. I have created a repository on GitHub for the two exams AZ-800 and AZ-801. There are links, scripts and a lot of content in it, please have a look: https://github.com/tomwechsler/Microsoft_Certified_Windows_Server_Hybrid_Administrator_Associate 7. I started (in german) with a YouTube playlist (it's still early days) to become a Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi0MTIjZai_xLvMSMgOxnk-0QFSxjSEe5 8. More helpful information directly from Microsoft, divided into the functional groups (Skills measured)! Secure Windows Server On-premises and Hybrid Infrastructures: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/enable-exploit-protection https://docs.microsoft.com/de-de/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/use-device-guard-with-configuration-manager https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/defender-advanced-threat-protection https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/credential-guard/credential-guard-manage https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/microsoft-defender-smartscreen-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-security-configuration-framework/windows-security-baselines https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/best-practices-for-securing-active-directory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/authentication/tutorial-configure-custom-password-protection https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/appendix-c--protected-accounts-and-groups-in-active-directory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/securing-domain-controllers-against-attack https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/how-to-configure-protected-accounts https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/best-practices-for-securing-active-directory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/appendix-h--securing-local-administrator-accounts-and-groups https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/appendix-b--privileged-accounts-and-groups-in-active-directory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/what-is https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sentinel/data-connectors-reference?tabs=LAA#windows-security-events-via-ama https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-servers-introduction https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/best-practices-configuring https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/restrict-server-access-to-members-of-a-group-only https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/create-an-authentication-request-rule https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/encryption-models https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-overview Implement and manage Windows Server high availability: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/disks-shared https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/tutorial-availability-sets https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/create-failover-cluster https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/stretch-cluster-replication-using-shared-storage https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/cluster-to-cluster-azure-cross-region https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/clustering-requirements https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/cluster-to-cluster-azure-cross-region https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/clustering-requirements https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/manage-cluster-quorum https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/failover-clustering-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/deploy/cluster-set https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/sofs-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/deploy-cloud-witness https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/high-availability/cluster-information-ip-address-failover https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-aware-updating https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/concepts/storage-spaces-direct-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/deploy-storage-spaces-direct Implement disaster recovery: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-windows-with-mars-agent https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-restore-windows-server https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-mabs-whats-new-mabs https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-microsoft-azure-backup https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-instant-restore-capability https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-userestapi-createorupdatepolicy https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-client-automation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/backup-and-disaster-recovery-for-azure-iaas-disks https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-azure-arm-restore-vms https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/site-recovery-manage-network-interfaces-on-premises-to-azure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/site-recovery-create-recovery-plans https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/azure-to-azure-about-networking https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/azure-to-azure-about-networking https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/manage/set-up-hyper-v-replica Migrate servers and workloads: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/cutover https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/files/storage-files-migration-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/deploy-appliance-script https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-set-up-appliance-physical https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/how-to-migrate https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/publish/using-web-deploy/migrate-a-web-site-from-iis-60-to-iis-7-or-above https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/windowscontainers/quick-start/building-sample-app https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-migrate-roles-features Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/performance/performance-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/system-insights/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/windows-admin-center/azure/azure-monitor https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/manage/system-insights/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/agents/agent-windows https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/agents/agent-windows https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/agents/diagnostics-extension-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/networking-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/boot-error-troubleshoot https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/performance-diagnostics https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/support-agent-extensions https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/disk-encryption-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/reset-directory-services-restore-mode-admin-pwd https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/tshoot-connect-pass-through-authentication https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/troubleshooting-domain-controller-deployment More helpful links: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/bitlocker-on-csv-in-ws-2022 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/customize-controlled-folders?view=o365-worldwide https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/managing-and-responding-alerts https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/deploy-vulnerability-assessment-vm https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/technical-faq https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/microsoft-defender-smartscreen-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/deploy-cloud-witness https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/sofs-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/site-recovery/recovery-plan-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/migrate-data https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/app-service-hybrid-connections https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/migrate/tutorial-discover-physical https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/publish/using-web-deploy/synchronize-iis I want to emphasize it again in this article, read the questions very carefully. The difference is very often in the details. If it says you have to back up the server and all data to Azure, then that is something different than if it would only say all data. This small difference has a big impact on the subsequent solution! One final tip: When you have learned something new, try to explain what you have learned to another person (whether or not they know your subject). If you can explain it in your own words, you understand the subject. That is exactly how I do it, except that I do not explain it to another person, but record a video for YouTube! I hope this information helps you and that you successfully pass the exam. I wish you success! Best regards, Tom Wechsler P.S. All scripts (#PowerShell, Azure CLI, #Terraform, #ARM) that I use can be found on github! https://github.com/tomwechslerHow to use Azure Infrastructure-As-a-Service (IaaS) in the most cost effective way – survival guide
How to use Azure Infrastructure-As-a-Service (IaaS) in the most cost effective way – top 10 - survival guide A couple of months ago, I presented on – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9T4vhW-X90 – at the http://e2evc.com/home/ conference in Amsterdam. During this presentation, I gave people tips and tricks on how they can lift-and-shift workloads to Azure in the most cost-effective way. I’m now writing this information down in an article and share it with the Tech Community! The Azure Cloud (or every other Public Cloud out there) is not cheap when you compare an on-premises scenario directly to Microsoft Azure. You need to translate – transform applications, services, and servers to a Cloud scenario – although in a Lift-and-Shift situation – costs will be the hardest part to convince your IT manager. The usage of power management tools or Azure Reserved Instances can help to lower the Azure subscription OpEx bill, but a broader approach is preferred to take full advantage of the simplicity of the Azure Cloud. I also would like to mention one of the two most significant misunderstandings about the Public Cloud – which sounds pretty obvious for most of us IT professionals, although not for every business… “The Biggest Benefit of Cloud Computing is Lower Costs” Not so fast… The cloud can quickly adjust the amount of computing power you’re using, giving a lot of flexibility to your budget. Focusing on cost – though – and not investigating how you might achieve significant efficiencies with new cloud technologies after you could diminish your return on the cloud investment, which is pretty bad thinking if you ask me… Replacing on-premises workloads to Azure is not the key to success. I see it as a step – or better say bridge – between modern applications and “legacy” application (or Windows wrote apps) within the Digital Transformation. Success in the cloud relies on the automated management infrastructure around the server working well – it has to save management and maintaining effort as well as eventually benefit in costs. The following diagram shows a very detailed path which must be followed when performing the digital transformation. Following the brownfield and Greenfield paths directs you to Infrastructure-As-a-Service, but it will advise you to go for other Cloud Services as well. I’m using this diagram most of the times to explain to my customers in a high-overview method what the roadmap could be for their organization. Read the complete article here: https://www.christiaanbrinkhoff.com/2018/10/25/how-to-use-azure-infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas-in-the-most-cost-effective-way-top-10-survival-guide/Microsoft System Center DPM 2019 and Azure Backup Services
Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2019 In a Earlier blogpost I wrote about Backup – Restore – DR Strategy in a fast changing world Microsoft Products for Backup – Restore -DR, we have: Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager Microsoft Azure Backup Microsoft Azure Site Recovery (DR) 1. Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) You can install Microsoft SCDPM on different solutions, like: As a physical standalone server As a Hyper-V virtual machine As a Windows virtual machine in VMWare As an Azure virtual machine If you don’t want to manage hardware like a physical Server, you can virtualize your DPM Server on-Premises on Hyper-V or VMware but you can also install DPM into the Cloud as an Azure VM. Here you can read What’s New in System Center DPM 2019 Before you begin you should know what Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager support and can protect by Backup. Here you find the highlights. 2. Microsoft Azure Backup Use Azure Backup to protect the data for on-premises servers, virtual machines, virtualized workloads, SQL server, SharePoint server, and more. Because this is a Microsoft Cloud Service, you don’t have to buy expensive hardware like Physical Servers, Storage, Tape Library, you just pay for what you are using in Azure, Here you find the Microsoft Azure Calculator to calculate your Backup costs. Read the complete Blogpost on System Center DPM 2019 and Azure Backup here
I want to use Azure for a DR solution. Is there a How-to?
Small company, 30 users. 1 file/print/DC server. 2.5Gb total storage, about 1.7 used. I want to set up a DR solution using Azure but it is a little unclear on how to do it from the dashboard. Also unclear as to cost. I'm looking to have something available to users as quickly as possible in the event the server has a total failure or the building burns down. Got maybe 10 remote (VPN) users. Anyway, we are pay-as-you-go, so no support. Is there a document out there that would give me a how to on setting this up? JimAssess and Migrate Hyper-V VMs to Azure using Azure Migrate
Today, the Azure Migrate team launched an update to the Azure Migrate service, which can help you discover, assess, and migrate applications, infrastructure, and data from your on-prem environment to Microsoft Azure. This is excellent timing since we all know that Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are soon out of support and you get free extended security updates if you migrate your VMs to Azure. With Azure Migrate, you can now centrally track the progress of your migration journey across multiple thrid-party and Microsoft tools. In this post, I am going to show you how you can step-by-step assess and migrate Hyper-V VMs to Azure using Azure Migrate. Check it out here: https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2019/07/assess-and-migrate-hyper-v-vms-with-azure-migrate/
Azure Site Recovery Communications
I have an Azure Site Recovery configuration server connected to a Vmware environment that appears to be having some communications issues that we cannot identify. I'm looking for some input/advice please on what we should be doing next to resolve our issue. There appears to be communication between the vault and the configuration server, or there was, until last Friday when the Azure Recovery Services agent was updated and the server was rebooted. Following the instructions I go into Protected Items and select Replication Items and pick a vm to click the Update Agent button/option but none exists. I see this under the details for the configuration server: The last heartbeat shows April but I have last heartbeat results at the top of the page that tell me 28 June. We have checked firewalls, etc and all of the ports required are open. Any suggestions or places I might look to narrow down what's happening? Any help is much appreciated.ASR Analytics to Power BI via Azure Backup
We are looking at pulling analytics from Azure Site Recovery. We were told that we could use Power BI to help with getting these analytics and to help visualize the data. The only means that we can see to get them into Power BI is via Azure Backup. The issue is that Azure Backup will not look at the correct folder within ASR to pull any data. There is a hard coded Azure folder that it looks into and we need it to look elsewhere.
