Freshness - Install MARS agent

Author: AbhishekMallick-MS

articles/backup/install-mars-agent.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Install the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent
 description: Learn how to install the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent to back up Windows machines.
 ms.topic: how-to
-ms.date: 11/07/2023
+ms.date: 10/25/2024
 ms.service: azure-backup
 author: AbhishekMallick-MS
 ms.author: v-abhmallick
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ ms.author: v-abhmallick
 
 # Install the Azure Backup MARS agent
 
-This article explains how to install the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent. MARS is also known as the Azure Backup agent.
+This article describes how to install the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent. MARS is also known as the Azure Backup agent.
 
 ## About the MARS agent
 
@@ -26,10 +26,12 @@ The data that's available for backup depends on where the agent is installed.
 > [!NOTE]
 > Generally, you back up an Azure VM by using an Azure Backup extension on the VM. This method backs up the entire VM. If you want to back up specific files and folders on the VM, install and use the MARS agent alongside the extension. For more information, see [Architecture of a built-in Azure VM backup](backup-architecture.md#architecture-built-in-azure-vm-backup).
 
-![Backup process steps](./media/backup-configure-vault/initial-backup-process.png)
+![Screenshot shows the Backup workflow.](./media/backup-configure-vault/initial-backup-process.png)
 
 ## Before you start
 
+Before you install the MARS agent, ensure that you have performed the following actions:
+
 * Learn how [Azure Backup uses the MARS agent to back up Windows machines](backup-architecture.md#architecture-direct-backup-of-on-premises-windows-server-machines-or-azure-vm-files-or-folders).
 * Learn about the [backup architecture](backup-architecture.md#architecture-back-up-to-dpmmabs) that runs the MARS agent on a secondary MABS or Data Protection Manager server.
 * Review [what's supported and what you can back up](backup-support-matrix-mars-agent.md) by the MARS agent.
@@ -48,15 +50,15 @@ By default, vaults use [geo-redundant storage (GRS)](../storage/common/storage-r
 * If the vault is your primary backup mechanism, we recommend that you use GRS.
 * You can use [locally redundant storage (LRS)](../storage/common/storage-redundancy.md#locally-redundant-storage) to reduce Azure storage costs.
 
-To modify the storage replication type:
+To modify the storage replication type, follow these steps:
 
 1. In the new vault, select **Properties** under the **Settings** section.
 
 1. On the **Properties** page, under **Backup Configuration**, select **Update**.
 
 1. Select the storage replication type, and select **Save**.
 
-    ![Update Backup Configuration](./media/backup-afs/backup-configuration.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to update the Backup Configuration.](./media/backup-afs/backup-configuration.png)
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > You can't modify the storage replication type after the vault is set up and contains backup items. If you want to do this, you need to re-create the vault.
@@ -80,46 +82,48 @@ If you've already installed the agent on any machines, ensure you're running the
 
 1. In the vault, under **Getting Started**, select **Backup**.
 
-    ![Open the backup goal](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/open-backup-settings.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to open the backup goal.](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/open-backup-settings.png)
 
 1. Under **Where is your workload running?**, select **On-premises**. Select this option even if you want to install the MARS agent on an Azure VM.
 1. Under **What do you want to back up?**, select **Files and folders**. You can also select **System State**. Many other options are available, but these options are supported only if you're running a secondary backup server. Select **Prepare Infrastructure**.
 
-    ![Configure files and folders](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/set-file-folder.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows the configuration of  files and folders.](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/set-file-folder.png)
 
 1. For **Prepare infrastructure**, under **Install Recovery Services agent**, download the MARS agent.
 
-    ![Prepare the infrastructure](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/choose-agent-for-server-client.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to prepare the infrastructure.](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/choose-agent-for-server-client.png)
 
 1. In the download menu, select **Save**. By default, the *MARSagentinstaller.exe* file is saved to your Downloads folder.
 
 1. Select **Already download or using the latest Recovery Services Agent**, and then download the vault credentials.
 
-    ![Download vault credentials](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/download-vault-credentials.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to download the vault credentials.](./media/backup-try-azure-backup-in-10-mins/download-vault-credentials.png)
 
 1. Select **Save**. The file is downloaded to your Downloads folder. You can't open the vault credentials file.
 
 ## Install and register the agent
 
+To install and register  the MARRS agent, follow these steps:
+
 1. Run the *MARSagentinstaller.exe* file on the machines that you want to back up.
 1. In the MARS Agent Setup Wizard, select **Installation Settings**. There, choose where to install the agent, and choose a location for the cache. Then select **Next**.
    * Azure Backup uses the cache to store data snapshots before sending them to Azure.
    * The cache location should have free space equal to at least 5 percent of the size of the data you'll back up.
 
-    ![Choose installation settings in the MARS Agent Setup Wizard](./media/backup-configure-vault/mars1.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to choose installation settings in the MARS Agent Setup Wizard.](./media/backup-configure-vault/mars1.png)
 
 1. For **Proxy Configuration**, specify how the agent that runs on the Windows machine will connect to the internet. Then select **Next**.
 
    * If you use a custom proxy, specify any necessary proxy settings and credentials.
    * Remember that the agent needs access to [specific URLs](#before-you-start).
 
-    ![Set up internet access in the MARS wizard](./media/backup-configure-vault/mars2.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to set up internet access in the MARS wizard.](./media/backup-configure-vault/mars2.png)
 
 1. For **Installation**, review the prerequisites, and select **Install**.
 1. After the agent is installed, select **Proceed to Registration**.
 1. In **Register Server Wizard** > **Vault Identification**, browse to and select the credentials file that you downloaded. Then select **Next**.
 
-    ![Add vault credentials by using the Register Server Wizard](./media/backup-configure-vault/register1.png)
+    ![Screenshot shows how to add vault credentials by using the Register Server Wizard.](./media/backup-configure-vault/register1.png)
 
 1. On the **Encryption Setting** page, specify a passphrase that will be used to encrypt and decrypt backups for the machine. [Learn more](backup-azure-file-folder-backup-faq.yml#what-characters-are-allowed-for-the-passphrase-) about the allowed passphrase characters.
 
@@ -130,7 +134,7 @@ If you've already installed the agent on any machines, ensure you're running the
 
    After granting the required permissions, you can save the passphrase to the Key Vault by copying the *Key Vault URI* from the Azure portal and to the Register Server Wizard.
 
-   :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-configure-vault/encryption-settings-passphrase-to-encrypt-decrypt-backups.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing to specify a passphrase to be used to encrypt and decrypt backups for machines.":::
+   :::image type="content" source="./media/backup-configure-vault/encryption-settings-passphrase-to-encrypt-decrypt-backups.png" alt-text="Screenshot shows how to specify a passphrase to be used to encrypt and decrypt backups for machines.":::
 
 1. Select **Finish**. The agent is now installed, and your machine is registered to the vault. You're ready to configure and schedule your backup.
 
@@ -139,6 +143,6 @@ If you've already installed the agent on any machines, ensure you're running the
    >[!Note]
    >We recommend to save your passphrase in an alternate secure location, such as the Azure key vault. Microsoft can't recover the data without the passphrase. [Learn](save-backup-passphrase-securely-in-azure-key-vault.md) how to store a secret in a Key Vault.
 
-## Next steps
+## Next step
 
 Learn how to [Back up Windows machines by using the Azure Backup MARS agent](backup-windows-with-mars-agent.md)