This article discusses the concept of SQL Server backup and the various components required to use the Microsoft Azure Blob storage service as a target for the backup. As we all know, disk and tapes were the default destinations of choice until the evolution of the cloud platform. In addition to this, now we can expand the native functionality of SQL Server backup to cloud storage; the Windows Azure Blob storage. This functionality was added first in SQL Server 2012. In general, backup and restore functionality to and from the cloud are similar to using disk or tape, with very few differences.

SQL Server database Backup to Azure Blob Storage is a process designed to perform almost like a backup device, such as disk or tape. During the backup or restore process, a URL is selected as a “device type” which in turn triggers a VDI (Virtual Backup Device Interface) client process. The process acts as an intermediary agent to send the database backup to the Azure Blob Storage.

In this article we touch base on the following topics:

1. Creating an Azure Storage account
2. Configuring Storage Container
3. Creating a credential for authorization using SSMS and T-SQL
4. Using the GUI to Perform a database backup and restore
5. Using a T-SQL script to backup and restore the database
6. Implementing the backup-and-restore functionality using PowerShell
7. And more…

Before we perform the database backup, it’s important to understand the Blob Storage Service and SQL Server key components, and their concepts. To start, let’s do a little prep work to setup Microsoft Azure Create an Azure Storage account. In the first step, we create a storage account at the Azure Portal. Using the Blob Storage Service, we configure the Azure Blob Storage Container.

Further reading…

Backup and Restore using Cloud