We are pleased to announce the release of the Evaluation VHD for System Center 2012 R2 Data Protection Manager. The VHD is a sys-prepped disk with Windows Server 2012 R2 as the operating system and contains System Center 2012 R2 Data Protection Manager (DPM) with Update Rollup 4 (UR4), Microsoft Azure Backup, along with an easy-to-install setup script. This VHD will also enable you to configure and use cloud backup and long term retention to Azure. The VHD can be used either on-premises as a standalone fully functioning DPM server, or in Azure.
Setup, installation, and benefits
As with any sys-prepped setup, some inputs are needed to get the operating system in shape. This is followed by a seamless one-click installation of SQL Server, DPM, and Azure Backup Agent requiring minimum user input (the details can be found under the “Install instructions” section of the download page). The installation will complete to create a single deployment of DPM using a locally installed SQL Server instance. This fully functioning copy of DPM runs for the trial period of 180 days from the day of provisioning. The copy of DPM from the evaluation VHD would be installed with Update Rollup 4, and you would need to check for newer updates from the DPM console.
Deployment in Azure
We had earlier announced the protection of Microsoft workloads running in Azure using DPM. Using this VHD, customers can make the process of setting up DPM in an Azure IaaS VM much simpler and completed in a few quick and simple steps. To do so, download and extract the VHD and then follow the instructions on creating and uploading a VHD to Azure starting from step 2.
Upgrading to the Retail version
In order to continue using the VHD beyond the evaluation period, you would need to purchase licenses for the appropriate editions of Windows Server and System Center. Upgrading to retail version is a matter of activating Windows, activating SQL Server, and then running the DPM Upgrade Wizard with the product key obtained with purchase of the System Center license.
That’s it! Try out the DPM Evaluation VHD now and let us know your feedback!
Resources
- Learn more about Azure Backup and System Center DPM.
- Click for a free Azure trial subscription, and download the latest Azure backup agent to get started!
- Need help? Reach out to the DPM forums and the Azure Backup forum for support.
- Tell us how we can improve Azure Backup: contribute new ideas and up-vote existing ones.