This article outlines step-by-step instructions on how to utilize Google Drive as a backup repository within BDRShield.

Before proceeding with the backup configuration, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

1. Install Google Drive for desktop on a local Windows machine.

2. Enable 'Allow Google Drive for desktop in your organization' via the Google Admin console.

3. Ensure sufficient storage space on the Windows machine where Google Drive for desktop is installed.

4. Maintain a stable internet connection for syncing backup data to Google Drive.

Note: It's recommended to configure only files/folders backup when using Google Drive as a backup repository in BDRShield. For advanced features, such as Instant Boot VM or Restore to Azure, consider configuring image-level backups to block storage repositories.

1. Share Google Drive Folder:

1. Select a Folder where you want to store the backup data. The folder can be an existing folder inside the ‘My Drive’ folder of your Google Drive (or) you can create a new folder inside the ‘My Drive’ folder of your Google Drive (or) you can directly use the ‘My Drive’ folder to store the backup data
2. Right-click on the selected folder and click on the Properties option. Then, click the Sharing tab in the dialog box and click on the ‘Share…’ button
3. Copy the network path after sharing the Google Drive folder

2. Add Shared Folder as Network Drive in BDRShield:

1. Login to the BDRShield Server (Backup Server/Offsite DR Server). Navigate to the Infrastructure Tile -> Backup Repository menu -> Block Storage.
2. On the Backup Repository Configuration – Block Storage page, click on the option 'Create New Block Storage Repository'
   
3. On the 'Create New Block Storage Repository' Dialog box, click on the option 'Add Network Drive'.
4. On the Add Network Drive dialog box, enter the following details and save the Google Drive folder to the BDRShield Folder.
   

1. Drive Path – Enter the network path you copied after sharing the Google Drive Folder
   
2. Display Drive Name – Provide a Drive letter to identify the drive on BDRShield Server
   
3. Username & Password - (Optional)
   

8. Now, the added folder needs to be created as the repository. Click on the option ‘Create New Block Storage Repository. The Google Drive folder volume will be listed with other local storage volumes. You can choose the Google Drive Folder volume and provide a name for the repository and click ‘Create’
9. Google Drive is now successfully added as a Backup Repository in the BDRShield. You can now select the created repository to store the backup data during backup configuration.

Note: Refer BDRShield Documentation to know more about the adding shared folder as a Network Drive in BDRShield.

1. Create Configuration File:

1. Navigate to the BDRShield Server installation location and open the conf folder.

Conf folder location: <Installation_Location>/conf/

Example: C:\Program Files\Vembu\VembuBDR\conf

2. Create a new file named 'StoragePathConfiguration.conf' inside the conf folder.
3. Open the 'StoragePathConfiguration.conf' file using a text editor.
4. Copy and paste the following XML structure:
   

     <VembuBDR>

       <Storage Path="Your storage path"/>

     </VembuBDR>

       <VembuBDR>

           <Storage Path=”G:/My Drive/BDRShieldRepository”/>

        </VembuBDR>

1. Replace "Your storage path" with the desired Google Drive folder path.
   

2. Select Google Drive Folder as Local Volume:

1. Once the file – ‘StoragePathConfiguration.conf’ is saved with the Google Drive path & folder details, the Google Drive folder will be listed as the local volume on the Create new Block Repository dialog box under Backup Server Tile -> Block Repository menu
2. Choose the Google Drive Folder volume and provide a name for the repository and click ‘Create’
3. Google Drive is now successfully added as a Backup Repository in the BDRShield. You can now select the created repository to store the backup data during backup configuration