Back up App Service resource provider, including SQL databases, file server share, and secrets

App Service Resource Provider

The Azure App Service on Azure Stack Hub is a platform-as-a-service offering that allows for the deployment and hosting of web applications. Backing up the App Service resource provider involves creating snapshots of the app content and configuration. To perform this backup, you should:

1. Navigate to the Azure Stack Hub administrator portal.
2. Locate the App Service resource provider.
3. Perform an on-demand backup using the features provided within the portal.
4. Schedule regular backups to ensure ongoing protection of your app service resources.

SQL Databases

Associated with the Azure App Service, SQL databases are often the backbone of web applications, storing critical and dynamic data. To back up SQL databases in Azure Stack Hub, follow these steps:

1. Determine the backup frequency and retention policy based upon your Recovery Point Objective (RPO).
2. Use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Transact-SQL to perform a full backup of your SQL databases on a regular basis.
3. Store the backups in a redundant storage location, such as Azure Stack Hub storage accounts, for high availability.

Example SQL Database Full Backup Command (Transact-SQL):

BACKUP DATABASE [YourDatabaseName]
TO DISK = 'YourBackupLocation\YourDatabaseName.bak'
WITH FORMAT;

File Server Share

Your Azure App Service may use a file server for storage of web application content and shared resources. Backing up the file server share includes the following steps:

1. Map the drive to the Azure Stack Hub file share.
2. Use a reliable backup solution that can copy files and directories to a secure backup location.
3. Schedule the backup to occur at regular intervals and confirm that file permissions and attributes are consistently maintained.

Backing Up Secrets

Azure Key Vault (If Available)

If you use Azure Key Vault in your Azure Stack Hub deployment, you need to back up the secrets, keys, and certificates. The following best practices should be observed:

1. Use Azure Stack Hub PowerShell commands or the Azure Stack Hub administrator portal to perform a backup of Azure Key Vault.
2. Backup key vaults periodically by exporting the secrets and keys to an encrypted storage account.

Alternatively, if Azure Stack Hub does not offer Key Vault functionality, secrets should be managed and backed up following these guidelines:

1. Store secrets in a secure location accessible only by authorized personnel and applications.
2. Regularly change and backup these secrets using a process consistent with your organization’s security policies.
3. Maintain an encrypted backup of these secrets and store them in a secure location.

Best Practices for Backups

• Ensure that backups are encrypted to protect sensitive data.
• Verify backups regularly to ensure data integrity and recoverability.
• Document the backup and restoration procedures to streamline recovery efforts.
• Consider geo-replication or offsite backups for better disaster recovery options.

Conclusion

Backing up your App Service resource provider, SQL databases, file server share, and secrets requires thorough planning and execution. By implementing the recommended best practices and utilizing the tools and services provided by Azure Stack Hub, you can ensure the protection of your applications and data, thus upholding the resiliency and reliability of your hybrid cloud environment.