Exlcude disk feature

David Curwin · David Curwin · commit 348b4137fc0e · 2020-01-20T13:24:12.000+02:00
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-azure-arm-vms-prepare.md b/articles/backup/backup-azure-arm-vms-prepare.md
@@ -290,6 +290,18 @@ You can set up Azure Firewall to allow outbound access for network traffic to Az
 * [Learn about](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/firewall/tutorial-firewall-deploy-portal) deploying Azure Firewall.
 * [Read about](https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/firewall/fqdn-tags) FQDN tags.
 
+>[!NOTE]
+> Azure Backup now supports selective disk backup and restore using the Azure Virtual Machine backup solution.
+>
+>Today, Azure Backup supports backing up all the disks (Operating System and data) in a VM together using the Virtual Machine backup solution. With exclude-disk functionality, you get an option to backup one or a few from the many data disks in a VM. This provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for your backup and restore needs. Each recovery point contains data of the disks included in the backup operation, which further allows you to have a subset of disks restored from the given recovery point during the restore operation. This applies to restore both from the snapshot and the vault.
+>
+> This solution is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
+>  
+>1. You have critical data to be backed up in only one disk and you don’t want to back up the rest of the disks attached to a VM. This minimizes the backup storage costs.  
+>2. You have other backup solutions for part of your VM data. For example, you back up your databases or data with a different workload backup solution, and you want to use Azure VM level backup for the rest of your disks and data to build an efficient and robust system utilizing the best capabilities available.
+>
+>To sign up for the preview, write to us at AskAzureBackupTeam@microsoft.com
+
 ## Next steps
 
 * Troubleshoot any issues with [Azure VM agents](backup-azure-troubleshoot-vm-backup-fails-snapshot-timeout.md) or [Azure VM backup](backup-azure-vms-troubleshoot.md).
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-azure-vm-backup-faq.md b/articles/backup/backup-azure-vm-backup-faq.md
@@ -87,6 +87,19 @@ The scheduled backup will be triggered within 2 hours of the scheduled backup ti
 
 Azure Virtual Machine backup policy supports a minimum retention range of seven days up to 9999 days. Any modification to an existing VM backup policy with less than seven days will require an update to meet the minimum retention range of seven days.
 
+### Can I backup or restore selective disks attached to a VM?
+
+Azure Backup now supports selective disk backup and restore using the Azure Virtual Machine backup solution.
+
+Today, Azure Backup supports backing up all the disks (Operating System and data) in a VM together using the Virtual Machine backup solution. With exclude-disk functionality, you get an option to backup one or a few from the many data disks in a VM. This provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for your backup and restore needs. Each recovery point contains data of the disks included in the backup operation, which further allows you to have a subset of disks restored from the given recovery point during the restore operation. This applies to restore both from the snapshot and the vault.
+
+This solution is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
+  
+1. You have critical data to be backed up in only one disk and you don’t want to back up the rest of the disks attached to a VM. This minimizes the backup storage costs.  
+2. You have other backup solutions for part of your VM data. For example, you back up your databases or data with a different workload backup solution, and you want to use Azure VM level backup for the rest of your disks and data to build an efficient and robust system utilizing the best capabilities available.
+
+To sign up for the preview, write to us at AskAzureBackupTeam@microsoft.com
+
 ## Restore
 
 ### How do I decide whether to restore disks only or a full VM?
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-first-look-arm.md b/articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-first-look-arm.md
@@ -72,6 +72,18 @@ In order to back up Azure VMs, Azure Backup installs an extension on the VM agen
 
 Follow the instructions in this article to enable backup for Azure VMs by setting up an Azure Backup Recovery Services vault, and enabling backup in the vault.
 
+>[!NOTE]
+> Azure Backup now supports selective disk backup and restore using the Azure Virtual Machine backup solution.
+>
+>Today, Azure Backup supports backing up all the disks (Operating System and data) in a VM together using the Virtual Machine backup solution. With exclude-disk functionality, you get an option to backup one or a few from the many data disks in a VM. This provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for your backup and restore needs. Each recovery point contains data of the disks included in the backup operation, which further allows you to have a subset of disks restored from the given recovery point during the restore operation. This applies to restore both from the snapshot and the vault.
+>
+> This solution is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
+>  
+>1. You have critical data to be backed up in only one disk and you don’t want to back up the rest of the disks attached to a VM. This minimizes the backup storage costs.  
+>2. You have other backup solutions for part of your VM data. For example, you back up your databases or data with a different workload backup solution, and you want to use Azure VM level backup for the rest of your disks and data to build an efficient and robust system utilizing the best capabilities available.
+>
+>To sign up for the preview, write to us at AskAzureBackupTeam@microsoft.com
+
 ## Next steps
 
 - If you have difficulties with any of the procedures in this article, consult the [troubleshooting guide](backup-azure-vms-troubleshoot.md).
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-instant-restore-capability.md b/articles/backup/backup-instant-restore-capability.md
@@ -106,3 +106,15 @@ The new model does not allow deleting the restore point (Tier2) unless the snaps
 ### Why is my snapshot existing even after the set retention period in backup policy?
 
 If the recovery point has snapshot and that is the latest RP available, it is retained until the time there is a next successful backup. This is as per the designed "garbage collection" (GC) policy today that mandates at least one latest RP to be always present in case all backups further on fail due to an issue in the VM. In normal scenarios, RPs are cleaned up in maximum of 24 hours after their expiry.
+
+>[!NOTE]
+> Azure Backup now supports selective disk backup and restore using the Azure Virtual Machine backup solution.
+>
+>Today, Azure Backup supports backing up all the disks (Operating System and data) in a VM together using the Virtual Machine backup solution. With exclude-disk functionality, you get an option to backup one or a few from the many data disks in a VM. This provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for your backup and restore needs. Each recovery point contains data of the disks included in the backup operation, which further allows you to have a subset of disks restored from the given recovery point during the restore operation. This applies to restore both from the snapshot and the vault.
+>
+> This solution is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
+>  
+>1. You have critical data to be backed up in only one disk and you don’t want to back up the rest of the disks attached to a VM. This minimizes the backup storage costs.  
+>2. You have other backup solutions for part of your VM data. For example, you back up your databases or data with a different workload backup solution, and you want to use Azure VM level backup for the rest of your disks and data to build an efficient and robust system utilizing the best capabilities available.
+>
+>To sign up for the preview, write to us at AskAzureBackupTeam@microsoft.com
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-support-matrix-iaas.md b/articles/backup/backup-support-matrix-iaas.md
@@ -27,6 +27,18 @@ Back up Azure VM to backup server  | Back up files/folders/volumes; system state
 
 Learn more about backup [using a backup server](backup-architecture.md#architecture-back-up-to-dpmmabs) and about [support requirements](backup-support-matrix-mabs-dpm.md).
 
+>[!NOTE]
+> Azure Backup now supports selective disk backup and restore using the Azure Virtual Machine backup solution.
+>
+>Today, Azure Backup supports backing up all the disks (Operating System and data) in a VM together using the Virtual Machine backup solution. With exclude-disk functionality, you get an option to backup one or a few from the many data disks in a VM. This provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for your backup and restore needs. Each recovery point contains data of the disks included in the backup operation, which further allows you to have a subset of disks restored from the given recovery point during the restore operation. This applies to restore both from the snapshot and the vault.
+>
+> This solution is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
+>  
+>1. You have critical data to be backed up in only one disk and you don’t want to back up the rest of the disks attached to a VM. This minimizes the backup storage costs.  
+>2. You have other backup solutions for part of your VM data. For example, you back up your databases or data with a different workload backup solution, and you want to use Azure VM level backup for the rest of your disks and data to build an efficient and robust system utilizing the best capabilities available.
+>
+>To sign up for the preview, write to us at AskAzureBackupTeam@microsoft.com
+
 ## Supported backup actions
 
 **Action** | **Support**
