more updates

AbhishekMallick-MS · AbhishekMallick-MS · commit a630f8287629 · 2024-03-13T09:15:02.000+05:30
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md b/articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+---
+title: About agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure Virtual Machines by using Azure Backup
+description: Learn about agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure VMs by using Azure Backup via Azure portal.
+ms.topic: conceptual
+ms.date: 03/15/2024
+author: AbhishekMallick-MS
+ms.author: v-abhmallick
+---
+
+# About agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure VMs (preview)
+
+Azure Backup supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk crash-consistent restore points (preview). The Enhanced VM backup policy now enables you to configure the consistency type of the backups (application-consistent restore points or crash-consistent restore points preview) for Azure VMs. This feature also enables Azure VM backup to retry the backup operation with *crash consistent snapshots* (for *supported VMs*) if the application-consistent snapshot fails. 
+
+## When do I choose crash-consistent backup over application-consistent backup?
+
+- If your workload is performance sensitive and can tolerate recovery from crash-consistent backups, crash-consistent backups help quiesce VM I/O for shorter period during backup. Crash-consistent backup doesn't use Volume Shadow Copy Service, VSS (for Windows) or fsfreeze (for Linux) to avoid the associated quiescing delays. 
+
+- If you don't want to install the VM Agent or snapshot extension required for application consistent or file-system consistent snapshots in your Azure VM, use crash-consistent backups for an agentless backup solution.
+
+- If your operating system is not supported for application or file-system consistent backup, use crash consistent backups. Crash-consistent backup is operating system agnostic as it doesn't rely on the VM agent or snapshot extension.
+
+## When do I not use crash-consistent backups?
+
+- If your application can't tolerate recovery from crash consistent backups.
+- If you use pre/post scripts for Linux VM backups.
+- If you use read/write host caching and your workload is sensitive to cached data not being flushed before backup.
+
+## Pricing for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup
+
+During preview, Azure VMs backed up with multi-disk crash consistent type is charged for 0.5 protected instance (PI) and the backup storage consumed.
+
+## Supported scenarios for agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup (preview)
+
+[!INCLUDE [backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md](../../includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md)]
+
+
+>[!Note]
+>Multi-disk crash consistency might not succeed for disks configured with read or write host caching because writes that occur while the snapshot is taken might not be acknowledged by Azure Storage. If you need to maintain consistency, we recommend that you use the application-consistent backups.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- [Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup (preview)](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md)
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md b/articles/backup/backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+---
+title: About agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure Virtual Machines by using Azure Backup
+description: Learn about agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure VMs by using Azure Backup via Azure portal.
+ms.topic: conceptual
+ms.date: 03/15/2024
+author: AbhishekMallick-MS
+ms.author: v-abhmallick
+---
+
+# About agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure VMs (preview)
+
+Azure Backup supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk crash-consistent restore points (preview). The Enhanced VM backup policy now enables you to configure the consistency type of the backups (application-consistent restore points or crash-consistent restore points preview) for Azure VMs. This feature also enables Azure VM backup to retry the backup operation with *crash consistent snapshots* (for *supported VMs*) if the application-consistent snapshot fails. 
+
+## When do I choose crash-consistent backup over application-consistent backup?
+
+- If your workload is performance sensitive and can tolerate recovery from crash-consistent backups, crash-consistent backups help quiesce VM I/O for shorter period during backup. Crash-consistent backup doesn't use Volume Shadow Copy Service, VSS (for Windows) or fsfreeze (for Linux) to avoid the associated quiescing delays. 
+
+- If you don't want to install the VM Agent or snapshot extension required for application consistent or file-system consistent snapshots in your Azure VM, use crash-consistent backups for an agentless backup solution.
+
+- If your operating system is not supported for application or file-system consistent backup, use crash consistent backups. Crash-consistent backup is operating system agnostic as it doesn't rely on the VM agent or snapshot extension.
+
+## When do I not use crash-consistent backups?
+
+- If your application can't tolerate recovery from crash consistent backups.
+- If you use pre/post scripts for Linux VM backups.
+- If you use read/write host caching and your workload is sensitive to cached data not being flushed before backup.
+
+## Pricing for agentless multi-disk crash-consistent backup
+
+During preview, Azure VMs backed up with multi-disk crash consistent type is charged for 0.5 protected instance (PI) and the backup storage consumed.
+
+## Supported scenarios for agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup (preview)
+
+[!INCLUDE [backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md](../../includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md)]
+
+
+>[!Note]
+>Multi-disk crash consistency might not succeed for disks configured with read or write host caching because writes that occur while the snapshot is taken might not be acknowledged by Azure Storage. If you need to maintain consistency, we recommend that you use the application-consistent backups.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- [Back up Azure VM with agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup (preview)](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent.md)
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-support-matrix-iaas.md b/articles/backup/backup-support-matrix-iaas.md
@@ -98,26 +98,12 @@ Azure Backup provides the following support for customers to author their own pr
 
 
 
-## Support for agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup
+## Support for agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup (preview)
 
-The following table lists the supported scenarios for agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup:
-
-Scenario | Supportability
---- | ---
-**Region availability** | Available in all public Azure regions.
-**Backup policy type** | Agentless crash-consistent backup is supported only with Enhanced Policy.
-**VM type and size** | - Supported for VM sizes that are premium storage capable (VM size that includes in their name) such as DSv2.   <br> - Trusted Launch VMs are supported. <br> - VMs with Ultra-disks, Premium v2 SSD, Ephemeral OS disks, Shared disks, and Write Accelerated disks aren't supported. <br> - Managed disks with paid bursting (striped disks) aren't supported.
-**Pre/post script** | Not supported for Linux VM backup.
+[!INCLUDE [backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md](../../includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md)]
 
 [Learn more about Agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md).
 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
 ## Backup frequency and retention
 
 **Setting** | **Limits**
diff --git a/articles/backup/backup-support-matrix.md b/articles/backup/backup-support-matrix.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Azure Backup support matrix
 description: Provides a summary of support settings and limitations for the Azure Backup service.
 ms.topic: conceptual
-ms.date: 08/14/2023
+ms.date: 03/15/2024
 ms.custom: references_regions 
 ms.service: backup
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
@@ -61,23 +61,23 @@ Here's what's supported if you want to back up on-premises machines:
 
 ### Azure VM backup options
 
-Here's what's supported if you want to back up Azure VMs:
+The following table lists the supported scenarios for backup of Azure VMs:
 
 **Machine** | **What's backed up** | **Location** | **Features**
 --- | --- | --- | ---
-**Azure VM backup by using VM extension** | Entire VM | Back up to vault. | Extension installed when you enable backup for a VM.<br/><br/> Back up once a day.<br/><br/> App-aware backup for Windows VMs; file-consistent backup for Linux VMs. You can configure app-consistency for Linux machines by using custom scripts.<br/><br/> Restore VM or disk.<br/><br/>[Backup and restore of Active Directory domain controllers](active-directory-backup-restore.md) is supported.<br><br> Can't back up an Azure VM to an on-premises location.
+**Azure VM backup by using VM extension** <br > or **by using agentless crash consistent backup** | Entire VM | Back up to vault. | Supports both agent-based and agentless backups.  <br/><br/> Back up multiple times a day.<br/><br/> App-aware backup for Windows VMs; file-consistent backup for Linux VMs. You can configure app-consistency for Linux machines by using custom scripts.   <br><br> You can also opt for agentless crash consistent backups for Windows or Linux. [Learn more](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md).     <br/><br/> Restore VM or disk.<br/><br/>[Backup and restore of Active Directory domain controllers](active-directory-backup-restore.md) is supported.<br><br> Can't back up an Azure VM to an on-premises location.
 **Azure VM backup by using MARS agent** | - Files, folders <br><br> - System state | Back up to vault. | - Back up three times a day. <br><br> - Back up once a day. <br/><br/> If you want to back up specific files or folders rather than the entire VM, the MARS agent can run alongside the VM extension.
 **Azure VM with DPM** | Files, folders, volumes, system state, app data | Back up to local storage of Azure VM that's running DPM. DPM then backs up to vault. | App-aware snapshots.<br/><br/> Full granularity for backup and recovery.<br/><br/> Linux supported for VMs (Hyper-V/VMware).<br/><br/> Oracle not supported.
 **Azure VM with MABS** | Files, folders, volumes, system state, app data | Back up to local storage of Azure VM that's running MABS. MABS then backs up to the vault. | App-aware snapshots.<br/><br/> Full granularity for backup and recovery.<br/><br/> Linux supported for VMs (Hyper-V/VMware).<br/><br/> Oracle not supported.
 
 ## Linux backup support
 
-Here's what's supported if you want to back up Linux machines:
+The following table lists the supported scenarios for backup of Linux machines:
 
 **Backup type** | **Linux (Azure endorsed)**
 --- | ---
 **Direct backup of on-premises machine that's running Linux** | Not supported. The MARS agent can be installed only on Windows machines.
-**Using agent extension to back up Azure VM that's running Linux** | App-consistent backup by using [custom scripts](backup-azure-linux-app-consistent.md).<br/><br/> File-level recovery.<br/><br/> Restore by creating a VM from a recovery point or disk.
+**Using agent extension to back up Azure VM that's running Linux** | Supports file-system, app-consistent backup (using [custom scripts](backup-azure-linux-app-consistent.md)) via an extension. Also supports [crash-consistent agentless backups](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md).  <br/><br/> File-level recovery.<br/><br/> Restore by creating a VM from a recovery point or disk.
 **Using DPM to back up on-premises machines running Linux** | File-consistent backup of Linux Guest VMs on Hyper-V and VMware.<br/><br/> VM restoration of Hyper-V and VMware Linux Guest VMs.
 **Using MABS to back up on-premises machines running Linux** | File-consistent backup of Linux Guest VMs on Hyper-V and VMware.<br/><br/> VM restoration of Hyper-V and VMware Linux guest VMs.
 **Using MABS or DPM to back up Linux Azure VMs** | Not supported.
diff --git a/articles/backup/whats-new.md b/articles/backup/whats-new.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: What's new in Azure Backup
 description: Learn about the new features in the Azure Backup service.
 ms.topic: conceptual
-ms.date: 03/04/2024
+ms.date: 03/15/2024
 ms.service: backup
 ms.custom:
   - ignite-2023
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ You can learn more about the new releases by bookmarking this page or by [subscr
 ## Updates summary
 
 - March 2024
+  - [Agentless multi-disk crash consistent backups for Azure VMs (preview)](#agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-backups-for-azure-vms-preview)
   - [Azure Files vaulted backup (preview)](#azure-files-vaulted-backup-preview)
   - [Support for long-term Retention for Azure Database for MySQL - Flexible Server (preview)](#support-for-long-term-retention-for-azure-database-for-mysql---flexible-server-preview)
 - January 2024
@@ -85,6 +86,12 @@ You can learn more about the new releases by bookmarking this page or by [subscr
 - February 2021
   - [Backup for Azure Blobs (in preview)](#backup-for-azure-blobs-in-preview)
 
+## Agentless multi-disk crash consistent backups for Azure VMs (preview)
+
+Azure Backup now supports agentless VM backups by using multi-disk crash consistent restore points (preview). Crash consistent backups are OS agnostic, do not require any agent, and quiesce VM I/O for a shorter period of time compared to application or file-system consistent backups for performance sensitive workloads.
+
+For more information, see [About agentless multi-disk crash consistent backup for Azure VMs (preview)](backup-azure-vms-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-overview.md).
+
 ## Azure Files vaulted backup (preview)
 
 Azure Backup now enables you to perform a vaulted backup of Azure Files to protect data from ransomware attacks or source data loss due to a malicious actor or rogue admin. You can define the schedule and retention of backups by using a backup policy. Azure Backup creates and manages the recovery points as per the schedule and retention defined in the backup policy.
diff --git a/includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md b/includes/backup-azure-agentless-multi-disk-crash-consistent-vm-backup-support-scenarios.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+title: include file
+description: include file
+services: backup
+ms.service: backup
+ms.topic: include
+ms.date: 03/15/2024
+author: AbhishekMallick-MS
+ms.author: v-abhmallick
+---
+
+The following table lists the supported scenarios for agentless multi-disk crash consistent VM backup:
+
+Scenario | Supportability
+--- | ---
+**Region availability** | Available in all public Azure regions.
+**Backup policy type** | Agentless crash-consistent backup is supported only with Enhanced Policy.
+**VM type and size** | - Supported for VM sizes that are premium storage capable (VM size that includes in their name) such as DSv2.   <br> - Trusted Launch VMs are supported. <br> - VMs with Ultra-disks, Premium v2 SSD, Ephemeral OS disks, Shared disks, and Write Accelerated disks aren't supported. <br> - Managed disks with paid bursting (striped disks) aren't supported.
+**Pre/post script** | Not supported for Linux VM backup.
