Recover an Azure File Sync equipped server from a server-level failure

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If the server hosting your Azure file share fails but, your data disk is still intact, you may be able to recover the data from it. This article covers the general steps for successfully recovering your data.

First, on either a new on-premises Windows Server, or an Azure VM, create a new data disk that is the same size as the original data disk. Creating a new data disk reduces the potential for hardware failure from the original data disk.

Install the latest Azure File Sync agent on the new server, then register the new server to the same Storage Sync Service as the original server.

Create a new server endpoint

Now that your server itself is configured, create and configure a new server endpoint. For recovery purposes, there are a few things you should consider before configuring your new server endpoint:

If you want to enable cloud tiering, leave Initial Download Mode at its default setting. This allows for a faster disaster recovery since only the namespace is downloaded, creating tiered files. If instead you want to keep cloud tiering disabled, the only option for Initial Download Mode is to fully download all files.

While the namespace is being synced, don't copy data manually, since that will increase the download time. When the sync completes, additional data will download in the background. While this background recall occurs, feel free to continue working as normal, you don't need to wait for it to complete.

If there is data on your original server that didn't upload to the cloud before it went offline, you can potentially recover it. You would do this by copying its contents into the new server's volume. If you would like to do this, use the following robocopy command.

Important

If you're recovering more than one VM/machine, don't run this command.

Wait for this copy to complete before moving to the next step.

Robocopy <directory-in-old-drive> <directory-in-new-drive> /COPY:DATSO /MIR /DCOPY:AT /XA:O /B /IT /UNILOG:RobocopyLog.txt

Changeover

Now that everything is setup, you can redirect all your data access to the new server and detach the older data disk. You can also delete the old server endpoint and unregister the old server.

You've now completed your configuration. Your new server should be operating normally and all data can be accessed from the new server.