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Modernizing BizTalk Server Backups with Azure Blob Storage

  • Writer: Tom Canter
    Tom Canter
  • Aug 29
  • 2 min read
How Community Collaboration and Credential-Based Scripting Delivered Enterprise-Grade Cloud Backups

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BizTalk Server remains mission-critical for many enterprises, but its native backup tooling has lagged behind modern cloud standards. In response to a request from Sandro Pereira, Phidiax Senior Partner Tom Canter led the effort to extend BizTalk backups to Azure Blob Storage, built upon years of community-driven scripting and best practices. The result is a credential-based, enterprise-grade approach that closes critical gaps and modernizes recovery.


Insight

Why Traditional BizTalk Backups Fall Short

Historically, BizTalk Server backups have relied on local storage and manual scripting. While workable, these methods pose risks in scalability, security, and disaster recovery. More critically, BizTalk’s native Backup to Blob feature does not support DTA (Data Tracking Archive) databases. Without these backups, administrators are left with incomplete coverage of their BizTalk environments.


Key challenges included:

  • Managing credentials securely

  • Updating stored procedures for cloud compatibility

  • Providing clear installation and configuration documentation


How We Extended Backups to Azure Blob

This project, BizTalkBackupDTAToBlob, builds on years of community-driven scripting and best practices. It introduces updated SQL stored procedures, credential-based authentication, and comprehensive documentation for installation and configuration. By modernizing the framework, it ensures full coverage for BizTalk databases, including the previously unsupported DTA.


Implementation highlights:

  • Technologies: SQL Server, Azure Blob Storage, BizTalk Server

  • Deliverables:

    • Updated stored procedures for Blob Storage integration

    • SQL Credential support for secure authentication

    • INSTALLATION.md and CREDITS.md documentation

    • GitHub repository for community collaboration


Outcomes: What you Gain

This solution empowers BizTalk administrators to modernize backup strategies without disrupting existing workflows. It eliminates manual steps, improves disaster recovery posture, and ensures maintainability across environments.


Benefits at a glance:

  • Secure, credential-based backups to Azure Blob Storage

  • Comprehensive coverage including DTA databases

  • Simplified configuration and deployment

  • Open-source collaboration and transparency


From a business perspective, this effort improves resiliency, reduces operational risk, and extends the life of BizTalk in hybrid enterprise environments.


Future Outlook

With the foundation now in place, future iterations may include:

  • Automated backup scheduling via Azure Logic Apps

  • Integration with monitoring and alerting systems

  • Support for additional cloud storage providers


This project, BizTalkBackupDTAToBlob, demonstrates how community collaboration and modern cloud tooling can revitalize legacy systems. It is a testament to the enduring value of open-source contributions and shared expertise.



Modernize Your BizTalk Backups Today

BizTalk environments deserve enterprise-grade resilience. Phidiax can help you integrate secure, credential-based Azure Blob backups that close gaps and strengthen recovery. Let’s align your data protection strategy with modern best practices.


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