Troubleshooting Common Azure AD Issues

Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by

The rule of thumb for anything crucial to your job is to have a backup to mitigate problems like losing essential data. A backup and restore active directory keeps the horror stories away. While cloud-based server providers like Simeon Cloud offer assurance that backup is unnecessary, backing up your files keeps worries away.

What is Active Directory?

Active Directory (AD) is the proprietary directory service of Microsoft. It enables administrators to access network resources and manage permissions on the Windows Server. AD considers data as objects and stores them in the database. This directory contains vital information about the users, the computers, and who has permission. In a nutshell, it acts as a network administrator that provides conditional access to the computers under a common database, name, and policies.

Microsoft Windows Azure AD is a cloud service that offers core directory, identity protection, and access management. It is part of the public cloud computing platform widely used by application developers, IT administrators, and subscribers of Microsoft cloud services. Azure AD eliminates the need to enter a user’s password multiple times to access the applications by providing SSO (single sign-on). It supports web-based services using Representational State Transfer or REST APIs like Office 365 and other online cloud-based applications.

Azure backup services are necessary for the following reasons::

• Disaster recovery: Includes various types and severity of threats such as total lockout due to ransomware, Russian invasion, and fire in the server room.
• Oops recovery: Oops is a technical term meaning “protection against carelessness, human mistakes, or malice.” These issues are below the level of disaster.

Azure AD backup is critical to disaster or human mistake prevention against corruption or loss of data, conditional access policies, X.509 certificate assignments, enterprise app registrations, and objects.

Other reasons to back up your Azure AD include:

• Enables selective roll-back changes
• Preserves directory data
• Extends the chance to recover the lost objects
• Saves damaged Azure AD environment

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. VMRestorePointInternalError

This means that the antivirus configured restricts the backup extension execution. To resolve this, you exclude some directories in the antivirus configuration and repeat the backup operation.

2. UserErrorVmNotInDesirableState

(Error message: VM is not in a state that allows backup)

To troubleshoot the backup error while the VM is between the Running and Shut Down state, you need to wait for the state to change before triggering the backup job.

3. CopyingVHDsFromBackUpVaultTakingLongTime

(Error message: Copying backed up data from vault timed out)

This happens because of inadequate storage account IOPS for backup service or transient storage errors within the timeout period. Configuring VM backup resolves the issue before retrying the backup operation.

4. UserErrorFsFreezeFailed

(Error message: Failed to freeze one or more mount-points of the VM to take a file-system consistent snapshot)

To resolve this, unmount the devices using the command umount. Next, run a consistency check on the file system on the devices by using the fsck command. Finally, mount the devices again, then retry the backup operation.

5. ExtensionFailed VssWriterInBadState

(Error message: Snapshot operation failed because VSS writers were in a bad state)

Troubleshooting requires restarting VSS writers that are in a bad state. Run vssadmin list writers and check the output. Restart the VSS writer’s service of every VSS writer that is not Stable by running the net stop serviceName, or net start serviceName elevated command prompt.

Features to Look for a Backup and Recovery Tool

Built-in Security Controls

There are security defaults to protect digital assets against password spray, phishing, session replay, and more.  Subscribing to the business service of Microsoft entitles you to get Azure AD loaded with free features. There are also paid Azure AD services that deliver more cloud management capabilities.

Simplified management

Azure backup and recovery tools like Simeon Cloud easily configure the applications across the environments including Intune and Office 365 configurations. With reduced complexity and a centralized management interface, the average data recovery time is reduced by up to 80% while giving a 97% reduction in end-user productivity loss.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Azure AD, Intune, and Office 365 backups can guarantee up to 370% ROI as it protects the on-premises data and stores them in a secure data center.

Takeaway

Investing in a backup and recovery tool ensures quick, efficient, and seamless disaster recovery to the cloud. Whatever the size of your business or organization, opting for the Azure AD, Intune, and Office 365 backup and restore tool is a smart decision that protects your company and users’ precious data. Partnering with a trusted backup and recovery provider like Simeon Cloud will keep your business running smoothly and governance-compliant. Click here to learn more about how to restore Office 365 configuration management.