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This page describes how to view, deactivate, and reactivate a backup repository
for virtual machines (VMs) in Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) air-gapped.
Deactivate a repository to remove redundant resources to keep your backup
environment organized and to free up storage space. You can reactivate a backup
repository if you need it again.
Before you begin
To view, deactivate, and reactivate a backup repository, you must have the following:
Organization Backup Admin: manages backup resources such as backup and
restore plans in user clusters. Ask your Organization IAM Admin to grant you
the Organization Backup Admin (organization-backup-admin) role. For more
information, see Role
definitions.
View a repository
View a backup repository GDC console or kubectl.
Console
View a list of repositories using the GDC console.
Sign into the GDC console.
In the navigation menu, click Backup for Virtual Machines > Repositories.
Click a repository in the list to view its details.
kubectl
View a backup repository by listing the backup repositories and viewing
their details using kubectl.
List the existing backup repositories:
kubectlgetbackuprepositories-nPROJECT_NAME
In the list, find the backup repository that you want to view.
BACKUP_REPOSITORY_NAME: the name of the backup repository.
PROJECT_NAME: the name of the project.
Deactivate a backup repository
To get the permissions that you need to deactivate a backup repository, ask your
Organization IAM Admin to grant you the Organization Backup Admin (organization-backup-admin) role.
Deactivate a backup repository using the GDC console:
Sign in to the GDC console.
In the navigation menu, click Backup for Virtual Machines > Repositories.
Click the name of the backup repository that you want to deactivate.
Click Deactivate Repository.
Enter the name of the backup repository into the text field.
Click Deactivate to confirm the deletion of the backup repository.
Reactivate a backup repository
Reactivate a backup repository using the GDC console:
Sign in to the GDC console.
In the navigation menu, click Backup for Virtual Machines > Repositories.
Click the name of the backup repository that you want to reactivate.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-29 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eThis guide explains how to view, deactivate, and reactivate backup repositories for virtual machines in Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped environments.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eDeactivating a repository helps manage resources and free up storage space, while it remains possible to reactivate it later if needed.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eViewing a repository can be done via the GDC console or by using \u003ccode\u003ekubectl\u003c/code\u003e commands.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eTo perform these actions, users must have a storage bucket with S3 credentials and be granted the Organization Backup Admin role by their Organization IAM Admin.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eReactivating a backup repository is possible after deactivation, and can be done through the GDC Console.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Manage a backup repository\n\nThis page describes how to view, deactivate, and reactivate a backup repository\nfor virtual machines (VMs) in Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) air-gapped.\n\nDeactivate a repository to remove redundant resources to keep your backup\nenvironment organized and to free up storage space. You can reactivate a backup\nrepository if you need it again.\n\nBefore you begin\n----------------\n\nTo view, deactivate, and reactivate a backup repository, you must have the following:\n\n- [A storage bucket and S3 credentials](/distributed-cloud/hosted/docs/latest/gdch/platform/pa-user/create-storage-buckets) for the bucket.\n- The necessary identity and access role:\n\n - Organization Backup Admin: manages backup resources such as backup and restore plans in user clusters. Ask your Organization IAM Admin to grant you the Organization Backup Admin (`organization-backup-admin`) role. For more information, see [Role\n definitions](/distributed-cloud/hosted/docs/latest/gdch/platform/pa-user/iam/role-definitions).\n\nView a repository\n-----------------\n\nView a backup repository GDC console or `kubectl`. \n\n### Console\n\nView a list of repositories using the GDC console.\n\n1. Sign into the GDC console.\n2. In the navigation menu, click **Backup for Virtual Machines \\\u003e Repositories**.\n3. Click a repository in the list to view its details.\n\n### kubectl\n\nView a backup repository by listing the backup repositories and viewing\ntheir details using `kubectl`.\n\n1. List the existing backup repositories:\n\n kubectl get backuprepositories -n \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePROJECT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e\n\n2. In the list, find the backup repository that you want to view.\n\n3. View the backup repository details:\n\n kubectl describe backuprepository \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eBACKUP_REPOSITORY_NAME\u003c/var\u003e -n \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePROJECT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e\n\n Replace the following:\n - \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eBACKUP_REPOSITORY_NAME\u003c/var\u003e: the name of the backup repository.\n - \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePROJECT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e: the name of the project.\n\nDeactivate a backup repository\n------------------------------\n\nTo get the permissions that you need to deactivate a backup repository, ask your\nOrganization IAM Admin to grant you the Organization Backup Admin (`organization-backup-admin`) role.\n\nDeactivate a backup repository using the GDC console:\n\n1. Sign in to the GDC console.\n2. In the navigation menu, click **Backup for Virtual Machines \\\u003e Repositories**.\n3. Click the name of the backup repository that you want to deactivate.\n4. Click **Deactivate Repository**.\n5. Enter the name of the backup repository into the text field.\n6. Click **Deactivate** to confirm the deletion of the backup repository.\n\n | **Note:** After deactivation, you are able to reactivate this backup repository.\n\n### Reactivate a backup repository\n\nReactivate a backup repository using the GDC console:\n\n1. Sign in to the GDC console.\n2. In the navigation menu, click **Backup for Virtual Machines \\\u003e Repositories**.\n3. Click the name of the backup repository that you want to reactivate.\n4. Click **Activate Repository**.\n5. Click **Activate**.\n\nWhat's next\n-----------\n\n- [Create a backup plan](/distributed-cloud/hosted/docs/latest/gdch/platform-application/pa-ao-operations/vm-backup/create-backup-plan)"]]
