Re: Question on best practices for server backups
- From: "Anthony" <anthony.spam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2007 00:19:42 -0000
If you plan to re-install Windows and then recover the server to a previous
state you will need to restore the Windows folder as well as System State,
Program Files etc. The Windows folder contains not just patches but a whole
load of drivers and files installed by third party programs.
I think there are three basic approaches to server recovery:
- rebuild the OS, reinstall the apps then restore just the data
- rebuild the OS, then restore the contents of the whole drive including
system state over the top
- restore image.
Anthony
www.airdesk.co.uk
"Brian" <Brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:E743D22C-72E2-4345-B7BA-FD8868A906C9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
And I agree with you on that, but in the meantime I think it is safe to
say
that the SystemState should be enough. My concern at the moment is with
space on one of our client's backup media/tape. They are running out of
space, while they are searching for an upgrade (and funds) to their aging
backup process. If I tell the backup to not backup Windows folder, I can
save at least 2-3GB of space on the tape and allow for other data to be
backed up instead. I know that it's always better to cover yourself by
backing up more than what is actually needed, but time and money is not on
our side at the moment. I came across a new client that did one full
backup
about 10 months ago, then kept doing incrementals on their tapes (over and
over). They overwrote their entire catalog and had nothing to show. So I
can definitely relate to your statement on running a test restore.
"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
"Brian" <Brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:A0A682D5-215A-40D4-9F1A-71FA08870A74@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi everyone,backup
I'm looking for other's opinions on a question that no one seems to
feel
sure of their answer.
Regardless of what backup software you are using, do you (or should
you)
backup the Windows/Winnt folder? I understand that it is important to
the SystemState (and any other important data), but is that good enoughSPs
to
restore Windows? The dilemma is that you have to reinstall Windows and
and hotfixes anyways, maybe backing up the Windows/Winnt folder is just
unnecessary or will it hose your recovery efforts?
Thanks in advance,
Brian
There is an easy general answer to your question which is
independent of the backup software you use: You MUST
perform a trial restoration run of the stuff you have backed
up, using a blank target disk. If you get a fully operative
Windows server then you have backed up what is required.
If it does not work then you haven't.
Note that many system administrators never run such a
trial. They limit themselves to backing things up religiously
every day or every week. They get a rude shock when the
crunch comes, e.g. when they lose the system disk.
.
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