We have a few VMs in azure and are using the azure backup tool to backup files and folders. Traditionally we would backup entire VMs when they are on-premises, but trying to work out a strategy now these VMs are in the cloud. I want to backup the VMs nightly to somewhere else in the cloud (assume into Azure blob storage but in a different geographic location than the VMs?) automatically.
Should I be creating an Azure VM in a different geographic location and use Data Protection manager to backup the production VMs?
or
Should I be creating a script which runs nightly, shuts down the VM, backs it up to blob storage then starts the VM up again (not my preference)
I am wanting to protect from a disaster recovery situation (ie the VM fails completely, or O/S becomes corrupt etc.
I want to be able to restore the entire VM if required