Provisioning IBM Cloud Backup for Classic

Backups ensure that your data is safely stored outside of your device and stays protected. IBM Cloud® Backup for Classic is an automated agent-based backup system that is managed through the Cloud Backup Portal browser-based management utility. You can provision your IBM Cloud® Backup for Classic instance in the UI, from the CLI, with the API, or Terraform. The first 10 GB of vault space is provided at no cost to you.

Each server must have its own IBM Cloud Backup for Classic Account. One IBM Cloud Backup for Classic license cannot be used for multiple servers.

Provisioning IBM Cloud Backup for Classic in the UI

You can provision IBM Cloud Backup for Classic service in two ways in the console.

Provision backup space when you order a server.
Provision backup space as an upgrade.

Purchasing IBM Cloud Backup for Classic when you order a server

Log in to the IBM Cloud catalog.
Order a monthly virtual server. For more information about IBM Cloud® Virtual Servers, see Provisioning a virtual server.
1. Enter host and domain names. You can choose any hostname and domain that you like.
2. Select quantity and billing option.
  
  IBM Cloud Backup for Classic service isn't available when you're ordering an hourly billed server. However, the service can be added later as an upgrade.
3. Select a location.
4. Select Server profile and OS Image type. You can also choose multiple add-ons.
5. Under Network Interface, select the Uplink Port Speed and any add-ons that you want.
6. In the Storage Disks section, specify the size of the boot volume and add more disks if you want to.
7. Under Add-ons, and select IBM Cloud Backup for Classic. Choose the option that matches what you need.
  
  The first 10 GB of vault space is provided at no cost to you. If you don't know how much backup storage you need, provision 10 GB, and you can add more storage later.
Review your order, and read the service agreements. If you agree with the terms, check the box.
Click Create. The Device list is displayed and in a few minutes, your virtual server is ready for use.
When your virtual server is provisioned, click the hostname to display the Device details page.
In the side navigation, click Storage. Then, scroll to IBM Cloud Backup for Classic to see the details.

You can also save the order without purchasing by clicking Save as Quote.

Purchasing IBM Cloud Backup for Classic as an upgrade

Log in to the IBM Cloud console. From the menu , select Classic Infrastructure .
Select Devices > Device List from the main menu. Find the device for which you want to add the backup service.
Click the Device name to go to the Device Details page.
Click the Storage tab, and scroll down to locate the IBM Cloud Backup for Classic section.
Click the Add cloud backup link.
In the window, select a location, and select a size.
Enter the Promo Code if you have one, and click Recalculate.
Review your order, and click the link to read the terms and conditions.
Click the checkbox if you agree with the terms and conditions.
Click Create.
Return to the Device details page of your server, and click Storage. The new vault is listed in the IBM Cloud Backup for Classic section.

If the backup storage size continues to show a capacity of zero, a second page refresh might be needed.

Provisioning IBM Cloud Backup for Classic from the CLI

Before you begin, you must install the IBM Cloud CLI. For more information, see Getting started with the IBM Cloud CLI.

You can provision backup space when you order a server, and you can order the IBM Cloud Backup for Classic service as an upgrade. The following example command orders a monthly VSI with 4 CPU, 16 GB RAM, 100 GB SAN disk, Ubuntu 18.04, and 1 Gbps public and private uplink in data center DAL13. It also provisions 20 GB of vault space for backups. The system prompts for confirmation as this action incurs charges. Type y and press enter to continue.

$ ibmcloud sl order place CLOUD_SERVER DALLAS13 GUEST_CORES_4,RAM_16_GB,REBOOT_REMOTE_CONSOLE,1_GBPS_PUBLIC_PRIVATE_NETWORK_UPLINKS,BANDWIDTH_0_GB_2,1_IP_ADDRESS,GUEST_DISK_100_GB_SAN,OS_UBUNTU_18_04_LTS_BIONIC_BEAVER_LAMP_64_BIT,MONITORING_HOST_PING,NOTIFICATION_EMAIL_AND_TICKET,AUTOMATED_NOTIFICATION,UNLIMITED_SSL_VPN_USERS_1_PPTP_VPN_USER_PER_ACCOUNT,NESSUS_VULNERABILITY_ASSESSMENT_REPORTING,EVAULT_20_GB --billing monthly --extras '{"virtualGuests": [{"hostname": "test", "domain": "softlayer.com"}]}' --complex-type SoftLayer_Container_Product_Order_Virtual_Guest
This action will incur charges on your account. Continue?> y
       
ID        105021440
Created   2023-04-24T20:04:57Z
Status    PENDING_AUTO_APPROVAL

For more information, see ibmcloud sl order place.

Provisioning IBM Cloud Backup for Classic with Terraform

To use Terraform, download the Terraform CLI and configure the IBM Cloud Provider plug-in. For more information, see Getting started with Terraform.

Use the ibm_storage_evault resource to create or update your IBM Cloud® Backup for Classic instance. The following example creates a 20-GB vault in the DAL13 data center. The virtual_instance_id defines the server that is going to be backed up in this vault.

resource "ibm_storage_evault" "test" {
  datacenter          = "dal13"
  capacity            = "20"
  virtual_instance_id = "137028172"
}

For more information about arguments and attributes, see ibm_storage_evault.

Next Steps

When you're ready, install the software agent on the server and set up your backup schedule in the Cloud Backup Portal. For more information, see Getting started tutorial.