# Unnecessary Use of RA-GRS for Azure SQL Backup Storage

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# Unnecessary Use of RA-GRS for Azure SQL Backup Storage

## Explanation

Azure SQL databases often use the default backup configuration, which stores backups in RA-GRS storage to ensure geo-redundancy. While suitable for high-availability production systems, this level of resilience may be unnecessary for development, testing, or lower-impact workloads.

Using RA-GRS without a business requirement results in avoidable costs. Downgrading to LRS or ZRS - where appropriate - can significantly reduce monthly backup storage spend. This change has no impact on backup frequency or retention behavior, only the underlying storage replication method.

## Relevant Billing Model

- Backup storage is charged based on GB/month

- RA-GRS  storage is the default and most expensive option

- LRS  (Locally Redundant Storage) and  ZRS  (Zone Redundant Storage) are lower-cost alternatives

- Changing backup storage tier can reduce backup costs by  up to 50%  without affecting primary database performance

## Detection

- Review backup redundancy settings for Azure SQL databases

- Identify databases with RA-GRS enabled by default

- Determine whether geo-redundant backup storage is a business or compliance requirement

- Validate whether LRS or ZRS would be sufficient based on workload criticality and risk tolerance

## Remediation

- For non-critical or non-regulated workloads, change the backup redundancy setting to LRS (or ZRS where supported)

- Document any exceptions where RA-GRS must be retained for compliance

- Incorporate backup configuration reviews into provisioning and governance processes

- Monitor backup storage cost trends following changes to confirm savings

## Relevant Documentation

- [Configure Backup Storage Redundancy in Azure SQL](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/long-term-retention-overview?tabs=azure-portal#configure-backup-storage-redundancy)

- [Azure Storage Redundancy Options](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-redundancy)

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## At a glance

Reference

CER-0031

Cloud provider

Azure

Service

Azure SQL

Category

[Databases](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/databases)

Inefficiency type

Inefficient Configuration

## Contributed by

- Balazs Engedi 

### Balazs Engedi

FinOps Specialist @ KPN

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/engedib/)

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