Enabling DataPower Disaster Recovery Mode without appliance re-initialization

Disaster Recovery Mode is quite an important feature, as it allows simplified migrations from one DataPower appliance to another using the Secure Backup/Restore functionality. This option is set during the initial DataPower configuration. To check if it was enabled, simply access DataPower WebGUI, search for "System Settings" and look up the "Backup mode". If it says "secure", then it was enabled and Secure Backup feature is  available on that appliance.

By the end of 2019 many DataPower gateways would be end of support and clients would face migration projects. Not having Secure Backup / Secure Restore available might cause the projects be more challenging, as it'd require manual configuration copy and dealing with keys.

Until recently, enabling Disaster Recovery Mode required having the gateway re-initialized. The big news are that as of DataPower v2018.4.1.0 firmware it's no longer required. Clients need to open a service ticket to receive the tool to enable secure backup mode.

References:

1. DataPower End Of Support 
2. WebSphere DataPower Release 3.8.1 - Disaster Recovery Mode
3. DataPower v2018.4 - Secure Backup