Many BDRSuite users with active subscriptions to Dropbox have asked us(Vembu) to use their Dropbox cloud storage as the Backup Repository in Vembu BDRSuite
In the post, we will look into the step-by-step instructions on the following:
- How to set up Dropbox as backup storage in BDRSuite
- How to backup to Dropbox using BDRSuite
Let’s first take a quick look at BDRSuite and the different backup storage repositories supported in it.
About BDRSuite:
BDRSuite is a Comprehensive and Cost-Effective Backup & Disaster Recovery Solution designed to protect data that span across Data Centers/Private Cloud (VMware, Hyper-V, Windows, Linux, Applications & Databases), Public Cloud (AWS), SaaS (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), and Endpoints (Windows, Mac).
Storage Repositories Supported in BDRSuite:
BDRSuite supports a wide range of scalable storage targets as backup repositories:
- Block Storages – Direct, NAS, SAN
- Object Storages – AWS S3, Azure Blob, & S3 Compatible storage like Wasabi, Backblaze, etc
Along with these, BDRSuite also supports storing backup data on Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
We have already discussed in earlier articles how to use different cloud storage as backup storage. Check them out here.
How to Store Backup Data on Azure Blob using BDRSuite
How to Store Backup Data on Wasabi Cloud using BDRSuite
How to Backup to Google Drive using BDRSuite
How to Backup to OneDrive using BDRSuite
How to use Dropbox as a Backup Repository in BDRSuite
Dropbox cannot be directly added or mounted as a Backup Repository in BDRSuite as it does not allow the user to write a file in the root drive. However, you can use any of the following methods to set up Dropbox as a backup repository in BDRSuite:
- Dropbox as a Local Volume
- Dropbox as a Network Volume
Method 1: Configure Dropbox as a Local Volume and add it as a Backup Repository in BDRSuite
Process:
This method allows you to store the backup data directly in one of the folders in Dropbox (without sharing the folder).
- In the BDRSuite Server Configuration folder, create a new configuration file with the Dropbox folder path XML in it and save the conf file
- This will list the Dropbox folder as a storage volume in the BDRSuite Server which you can select and create a new backup repository
Steps to configure Dropbox as a Local Volume to add as a Backup Repository in BDRSuite
Before you perform the steps below, Make sure to stop the BDRSuite Service and then restart once completed.
1. Navigate to the BDRSuite Server installation location and open the conf folder on the computer where BDRSuite Server (Backup Server/Offsite DR Server) is installed.
Conf folder location:
/conf/
Example: C:\Program Files\Vembu\VembuBDR\conf
2. Create a file – ‘StoragePathConfiguration.conf’ inside the conf folder. Open the ‘StoragePathConfiguration.conf’ file using a text editor, copy the following XML, and save the file.
Syntax
<VembuBDR>
<Storage Path=”Your storage path”/>
</VembuBDR>
Example
<VembuBDR>
<Storage Path=”N:/Dropbox/Vembu Repo”/>
</VembuBDR>
In the place ‘Your Storage Path’ – Make sure you enter the following details in the given format: “
Drive Folder Name – Enter the folder name into which you want to store the backup data. You can use the existing folder (or) you can create a new folder in your Dropbox to store the backup data. Here in the example, I’m using the folder name ‘Vembu Repo’.
3. Once the file – ‘StoragePathConfiguration.conf’ is saved with the Dropbox path & folder details, the Dropbox folder will be listed as the local volume on the Create new Block Repository dialog box under Backup Server Tile -> Block Repository menu
4. Choose the Dropbox Folder volume and provide a name for the repository and click ‘Create’
5. Dropbox is now successfully added as a Backup Repository in the BDRSuite.
Method 2: Configure Dropbox as a Network Volume and add it as a Backup Repository in BDRSuite
Process:
- On Dropbox, Select a folder and enable ‘Share’ properties for it
- On the BDRSuite Server console, add the shared Dropbox folder as a network/mapped drive. Select the mapped drive (Dropbox folder) and create a new backup repository
Steps to configure Dropbox Folder as a Network Volume:
1. Select a Folder where you want to store the backup data. The folder can be an existing folder (or) you can create a new folder in Dropbox to store the backup data.
2. Right-click on the selected folder and click on the Properties option. Then, click the Sharing tab in the dialog box and click on the ‘Share…’ button. Make sure to select “Everyone” and set the ‘Read/Write’ permission.
3. Copy the network path after sharing the Dropbox folder
Adding Dropbox Folder as a Backup Repository in BDRSuite
1. Login to the BDRSuite Server (Backup Server/Offsite DR Server). Navigate to the Backup Server Tile -> Block Storage Repository menu
2. On the Backup Repository Configuration – Block Storage page, click on the option ‘Manage Network Drive’ and click the button ‘Add Network Drive as Storage Volume’
3. On the Add Network Drive dialog box, enter the following details and save the Dropbox folder to the BDRSuite.
- Drive Path – Enter the network path you copied after sharing the folder in dropbox
- Display Drive Name – Provide a Drive letter to identify the drive on BDRSuite Server
- Username & Password (Optional)
4. Now, the added folder needs to be created as the repository. Click on the option ‘Create New Block Storage Repository. The Dropbox folder volume will be listed with other local storage volumes. You can choose the Dropbox Folder volume and provide a name for the repository and click ‘Create’
5. Dropbox is now successfully added as a Backup Repository in the BDRSuite.
Note: Dropbox can be set as the default storage to store the backup data of all jobs configured in the BDRSuite Server (or) you can select the repository for specific jobs during backup configuration.
Configuring Backup to Dropbox with BDRSuite
You can configure image-level or file-level backups for Workloads – VMware VMs, Hyper-V VMs, Windows Servers, Linux Servers, Endpoints (Windows & Mac), & SaaS Applications – Microsoft 365, & Google Workspace and store their backup data in the Dropbox Cloud Storage.
You can store primary backup data, backup copy, (or) offsite backup on Dropbox Cloud Storage based on your requirement.
To know more about backup configuration, check out BDRSuite User Guide here.
Recommended: If you plan to use Dropbox as a backup repository in BDRSuite we suggest configuring only files/folders backup only. This is because, to leverage the business continuity features like Instant Boot VM, Disk Mount, Restore to Azure, etc, we always recommend configuring image-level backups (VMs/Physical machines) to block storage repositories
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