Concepts
To configure periodic backups for your Azure Cosmos DB database, you can use Azure Portal. Follow the steps below to enable automatic backups and manage backup policies for your database.
Step 1: Navigate to Azure Cosmos DB
Login to Azure Portal (https://portal.azure.com) and navigate to your Azure Cosmos DB account.
Step 2: Enable Backups
In the Azure Cosmos DB account overview page, click on “Backup and Restore” from the left-hand menu.
Step 3: Enable Automatic Backups
In the Backup and Restore blade, toggle the “Automatic” option to enable automatic backups.
Step 4: Set Backup Frequency
Choose the frequency at which you want backups to be taken. You can choose the backup frequency from the available options: daily, weekly, or monthly.
Step 5: Set Retention Period
Define how long the backups should be retained. You can choose a retention period ranging from 1 to 30 days.
Step 6: Configure Backup Consistency
Choose the backup consistency level you require for your backups. There are two options available: “Eventual” and “Consistent.” The “Consistent” option ensures that the backups are taken when the database is in a consistent state.
Step 7: Save the Backup Policy
Click on the “Save” button to apply the backup policy to your Azure Cosmos DB database.
Once you have configured the periodic backup policy, Azure Cosmos DB will automatically take backups as per the defined frequency and retention period. These backups will be stored in a separate Azure Storage account associated with your Cosmos DB account.
You can find and manage the backups within the Azure Portal by navigating back to the “Backup and Restore” blade.
Additionally, you can also configure backup policies programmatically using Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell. Below is an example of how you can create a backup policy using Azure PowerShell:
$resourceGroupName = "your-resource-group"
$accountName = "your-cosmosdb-account"
$databaseName = "your-database"
# Create a new backup policy object
$backupPolicy = New-AzCosmosDBSqlAutomaticBackupPolicy `
-BackupIntervalInMinutes 240 `
-BackupRetentionIntervalInHours 72 `
-BackupType "Periodic"
# Set the backup policy for the database
Set-AzCosmosDBSqlDatabaseBackupPolicy `
-ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName `
-AccountName $accountName `
-DatabaseName $databaseName `
-BackupPolicy $backupPolicy
In the above example, a new backup policy is created with a backup interval of 240 minutes (4 hours) and a retention period of 72 hours (3 days). The backup type is set as “Periodic”. You can modify these values as per your requirements.
By following these steps, you can easily configure periodic backups for your Azure Cosmos DB database. Regularly backing up your data is essential for ensuring data durability and recoverability in case of any data loss incidents.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
What is the primary purpose of configuring periodic backups in Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB?
- a) To reduce storage costs
- b) To improve read and write performance
- c) To ensure data durability and recoverability
- d) To enforce data consistency across multiple regions
Correct answer: c) To ensure data durability and recoverability
Which Azure Cosmos DB API does not support automatic backups?
- a) SQL API
- b) MongoDB API
- c) Gremlin API
- d) Table API
Correct answer: d) Table API
What is the maximum frequency at which you can configure automatic backups for a Cosmos DB account?
- a) Once every hour
- b) Once every 12 hours
- c) Once every 24 hours
- d) Once every 48 hours
Correct answer: c) Once every 24 hours
True or False: Configuring periodic backups in Azure Cosmos DB requires enabling the incremental backup option.
Correct answer: False
Which of the following data consistency models is supported for Azure Cosmos DB automatic backups?
- a) Eventual consistency
- b) Strong consistency
- c) Bounded staleness consistency
- d) Consistent prefix consistency
Correct answer: a) Eventual consistency
True or False: Azure Cosmos DB automatically retains multiple backup copies of your data for redundancy.
Correct answer: True
What is the maximum retention period for automatic backups in Azure Cosmos DB?
- a) 1 day
- b) 7 days
- c) 30 days
- d) 90 days
Correct answer: d) 90 days
Which Azure service can be used to restore data from Azure Cosmos DB backups?
- a) Azure Storage
- b) Azure Backup
- c) Azure Data Factory
- d) Azure Site Recovery
Correct answer: b) Azure Backup
True or False: Azure Cosmos DB automatically encrypts backups at rest for data security.
Correct answer: True
What is the recommended minimum number of backup copies to retain for disaster recovery purposes?
- a) 1
- b) 2
- c) 3
- d) 4
Correct answer: c) 3
Great post! Really helpful for DP-420 aspirants.
Could someone explain the retention period settings for periodic backups in Cosmos DB?
Is it possible to set up periodic backups using the Azure Portal interface?
This blog makes DP-420 exam preparation easier. Thanks!
Are there any specific permissions required to configure backups in Cosmos DB?
Anyone have any experience with restoring from a periodic backup?
Fantastic explanation on backup policies!
How do periodic backup costs compare to continuous backup costs?