Backup & Recovery settings
Backup & Recovery contains backup readiness, scheduled backups, migration, restore, backup inventory, job history, and Cosmos JSON repair tools.
Backup & Recovery settings
What this group controls
Backup & Recovery contains backup readiness, scheduled backups, migration, restore, backup inventory, job history, and Cosmos JSON repair tools.
Why it matters
These settings protect the data plane during maintenance and incidents. A backup configuration is useful only when storage, encryption, restore policy, and job visibility are tested before an emergency.
Video planned
Backup & Recovery settings walkthrough
Recording planned. Walk through each tab in the Backup & Recovery group and explain when to change each setting.
To publish this video:
- Upload the recording to YouTube or Microsoft Stream.
- Save a poster frame as
docs/images/video-posters/admin-backup-recovery.png. - Add the watch URL to
this slotindocs/_data/media.yml.
Before you change anything
- Prepare storage and encryption values before scheduling backups.
- Review restore collision policy with data owners.
- Limit Cosmos editor use to operators who understand partition keys and ETags.
Backup
Start Here
The Start Here section belongs to the Backup tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Backup
The Backup section belongs to the Backup tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Schedule
The Schedule section belongs to the Backup tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Storage
The Storage section belongs to the Backup tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Encryption
The Encryption section belongs to the Backup tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Settings
| Setting | What it does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enable scheduled backups | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Off | data_management_enabled |
| Full backup frequency | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | weekly | data_management_full_frequency |
| Scheduled time (UTC) | Default is 03:00 UTC. | 03:00 | data_management_scheduled_time_utc |
| Delete backups after | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | 30 | data_management_retention_value |
| Retention unit | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | days | data_management_retention_unit |
| Run partial backups daily between full backups | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | On | data_management_partial_enabled |
| Include Cosmos DB data | Core application records required for meaningful restore and migration. | On | data_management_include_cosmos |
| Include AI Search indexes | Search index schemas and retrievable indexed documents. | On | data_management_include_ai_search |
| Include source document blobs | Original source files used by Enhanced Citations. | Off | data_management_include_source_blobs |
| Authentication | Chooses whether SimpleChat authenticates to this service with a key, managed identity, or another supported method. | managed_identity | data_management_storage_auth |
| Blob endpoint | Provides the endpoint or route SimpleChat uses for this service. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_blob_endpoint |
| Container | Provides displayed text that users see in the affected interface. | simplechat-backups | data_management_container_name |
| Connection string | No connection string saved yet. | Empty | data_management_connection_string |
| Blob prefix | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | simplechat-backups | data_management_path_prefix |
| Encrypt backup artifacts | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | On | data_management_encryption_enabled |
| Concurrent blob transfers | Defines a capacity or timing boundary that keeps the feature inside supported limits. | 4 | data_management_backup_blob_max_parallel_operations |
| Transfer chunk size (MiB) | Defines a capacity or timing boundary that keeps the feature inside supported limits. | 8 | data_management_backup_blob_chunk_size_mib |
| Blob retry attempts | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | 5 | data_management_backup_blob_retry_count |
| Concurrent batch staging | Defines a capacity or timing boundary that keeps the feature inside supported limits. | 4 | data_management_backup_max_parallel_operations |
| Retry attempts | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | 5 | data_management_backup_retry_count |
| If source RU Boost is unavailable | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | continue_without_boost | data_management_backup_capacity_failure_policy |
| Enable source RU Boost for backups | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Off | data_management_backup_temporary_source_ru_enabled |
| Source RU Boost target | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | 10000 | data_management_backup_temporary_source_ru |
| Authentication | Chooses whether SimpleChat authenticates to this service with a key, managed identity, or another supported method. | managed_identity | data_management_target_cosmos_auth |
| Endpoint | Provides the endpoint or route SimpleChat uses for this service. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_target_cosmos_endpoint |
| Database | Fixed app contract. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_target_cosmos_database |
| Account key | Provides the secret credential used when the selected authentication mode requires one. | Empty | data_management_target_cosmos_key |
| Authentication | Chooses whether SimpleChat authenticates to this service with a key, managed identity, or another supported method. | managed_identity | data_management_target_ai_search_auth |
| Endpoint | Provides the endpoint or route SimpleChat uses for this service. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_target_ai_search_endpoint |
| Admin key | Provides the secret credential used when the selected authentication mode requires one. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_target_ai_search_key |
| Authentication | Chooses whether SimpleChat authenticates to this service with a key, managed identity, or another supported method. | managed_identity | data_management_target_ec_storage_auth |
| Blob endpoint | Provides the endpoint or route SimpleChat uses for this service. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_target_ec_blob_endpoint |
| Connection string | Provides the secret credential used when the selected authentication mode requires one. | Empty | data_management_target_ec_connection_string |
| Subscription ID | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_target_cosmos_subscription_id |
| Resource group | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_target_cosmos_resource_group |
| Status | Narrows the admin list shown for status. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_backup_status_filter |
| Run type | Narrows the admin list shown for run type. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_backup_scheduled_filter |
| Created from | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_backup_created_from |
| Created through | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_backup_created_to |
| Rows per page | Defines a capacity or timing boundary that keeps the feature inside supported limits. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_backup_page_size |
Migrate
Migration
The Migration section belongs to the Migrate tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Settings
| Setting | What it does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| None Skip users | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_users_mode_choice |
| Search users | Narrows the admin list shown for search users. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_users_search |
| Include users’ documents | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_users_documents |
| None Skip groups | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_groups_mode_choice |
| Search groups | Narrows the admin list shown for search groups. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_groups_search |
| Include group documents | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_groups_documents |
| None Skip public workspaces | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_public_workspaces_mode_choice |
| Search public workspaces | Narrows the admin list shown for search public workspaces. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_public_workspaces_search |
| Include public workspace documents | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_public_workspaces_documents |
| Copy missing items only | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_mode |
| Previous completed migration job ID | Leave blank to let SimpleChat choose the latest compatible completed migration as the starting point for this catch-up run. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_baseline_job_id |
| Migrate matching AI Search documents | Narrows the admin list shown for migrate matching ai search documents. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_include_ai_search |
| I confirm external destination AI Search writers are frozen | SimpleChat pauses its own target indexing. Freeze other writers before review. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_target_search_writes_frozen |
| Migrate selected source document blobs | Requires Enhanced Citation storage at both source and destination. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_migration_include_source_blobs |
| Concurrent operations | Defines a capacity or timing boundary that keeps the feature inside supported limits. | 8 | data_management_migration_max_parallel_operations |
| Retry attempts | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | 5 | data_management_migration_retry_count |
| Skip prior successes within hours | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Setting | data_management_migration_skip_recent_within_hours |
| Enable destination RU Boost for this migration | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Off | data_management_migration_temporary_destination_ru_enabled |
| Destination RU Boost target | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | 10000 | data_management_migration_temporary_destination_ru |
| Type MAKE DESTINATION MATCH SOURCE to authorize this run | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_mirror_confirmation_phrase |
| I reviewed the normalized plan, destination checks, warnings, and operational impact. | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_migration_final_confirmation |
Restore
Backup Inventory & Restore
The Backup Inventory & Restore section belongs to the Restore tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Settings
| Setting | What it does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collision policy | Create-only is non-destructive and recommended for first restore attempts. | create_only | data_management_restore_policy |
| Cosmos DB | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_restore_include_cosmos |
| AI Search | Narrows the admin list shown for ai search. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_restore_include_ai_search |
| Enhanced Citation blobs | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_restore_include_source_blobs |
| Type the overwrite confirmation phrase | Required phrase: RESTORE WITH OVERWRITE | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_restore_overwrite_confirmation_phrase |
| I reviewed the restore target, policy, and preflight result. | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_restore_final_confirmation |
Cosmos Editor
Cosmos Editor
The Cosmos Editor section belongs to the Cosmos Editor tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Settings
| Setting | What it does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container | Choose a known SimpleChat Cosmos DB container. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_cosmos_editor_container |
| Page size | Max 100 per request. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_cosmos_editor_page_size |
| SELECT query | Empty query returns only the first 100 documents. Custom SELECT queries can page beyond 100 with Next Page. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_cosmos_editor_query |
| I understand this editor can damage overall system health. | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_cosmos_editor_danger_accept |
| Data Management Cosmos Editor Document Json | The editor blocks id and partition key changes. Saves use the ETag from the loaded document. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_cosmos_editor_document_json |
| Type the confirmation phrase to enable saving | Required phrase: I understand this can damage system data | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_cosmos_editor_confirmation_phrase |
Jobs
Jobs
The Jobs section belongs to the Jobs tab. Use it with the adjacent settings in this group so related rollout, access, and operational choices stay aligned.
Settings
| Setting | What it does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use low impact mode for scheduled jobs | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | On | data_management_low_impact_mode |
| Operation | Narrows the admin list shown for operation. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_job_operation_filter |
| Status | Narrows the admin list shown for status. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_job_status_filter |
| Run type | Narrows the admin list shown for run type. | N/A (runtime control) | data_management_job_scheduled_filter |
| Created from | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_job_created_from |
| Created through | Defines behavior for the related admin workflow; verify the affected feature after saving. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_job_created_to |
| Rows per page | Defines a capacity or timing boundary that keeps the feature inside supported limits. | Not specified in defaults | data_management_job_page_size |
Common tasks
- Prepare scheduled backups. Configure backup, schedule, storage, and encryption, then queue a small backup. Outcome to verify: A backup artifact appears in inventory.
- Run restore preflight. Select a backup, choose restore policy, and run review before queueing. Outcome to verify: Preflight reports target access and collision behavior.
- Use Cosmos Editor safely. Query the target document and review the change summary before saving. Outcome to verify: The intended document updates with ETag protection.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A restore cannot be queued | Preflight found target access, manifest, or collision-policy problems. | Resolve the reported check before queueing. |