Windows Server 2003 includes several tools and services to back up and archive user data, but when it comes to backing up the entire operating system and disk volumes, Windows Server 2003 Backup is the program to use. Windows Server 2003 Backup is included on all the different versions of the platform. Some Windows Server 2003 services provide alternative backup utilities, but they still can be backed up using ntbackup.exe. Windows Server 2003 Backup provides all the necessary functions to completely back up and restore a single file or the entire Windows Server 2003 system. Third-party, or even other Microsoft, applications installed on a Windows Server 2003 system should be researched to ensure that no special backup requirements or add-ons are necessary to back up the application data and configuration. Windows Server 2003 Backup has been developed, or limited, to primarily backing up the local server, but it can back up remote server volumes as well. In the case of backing up remote server volumes, open files are skipped, and the system state can be backed up only on the local server. Modes of OperationThe Windows Backup utility can run in two separate modes: Wizard and Advanced. Wizard mode provides a simple interface that allows a backup to be created in just a few easy steps:
That is all it takes to use Wizard mode, but features such as creating a scheduled backup and choosing to disable Volume Shadow Copy can be performed only using Advanced mode. Advanced mode provides greater granularity when it comes to scheduling and controlling backup media security and other backup options. In the following sections concerning Windows Server 2003 Backup, we will use Advanced mode. Advanced ModeRunning the Windows Server 2003 Backup utility in Advanced mode enables administrators to configure all the available options for backups. Scheduled backups can be created; specific wizards can be started; and advanced backup options can be configured, such as verifying backup, using volume shadow copies, backing up data in remote storage, and automatically backing up system-protected files. To create a backup in Advanced mode, perform the following steps:
Automated System RecoveryAutomated System Recovery is a backup option that is used to back up a system to prepare for a complete server failure. An ASR backup contains disk volume information and a copy of all the data on the boot and system volumes, along with the current system state. ASR can be used to restore a system from scratch, and it will even re-create disk volumes and format them as previously recorded during the ASR backup. ASR does not back up the data stored on volumes that are solely used for data storage. To perform an ASR backup, an administrator needs a blank floppy disk and a backup device; either a tape device or disk will suffice. One point to keep in mind is that an ASR backup will back up each local drive that contains the operating system and any applications installed. For instance, if the operating system is installed on drive C: and MS Office is installed on drive D:, both of these drives will be completely backed up because the Registry has references to files on the D: drive. Although this can greatly simplify restore procedures, it requires additional storage and increases backup time for an ASR backup. Using a basic installation of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise server with only basic services installed, an ASR backup can average 1.3GB to less than 4GB or 5GB. ASR backups should be created for a server before and after any hardware changes are performed or when a major configuration change occurs with the system. ASR backups contain disk information including basic or dynamic configuration and volume set type. They save volume or partition data so that when an ASR restore is complete, only the data stored on storage volumes needs to be recovered. Creating an ASR BackupAn ASR backup can currently be created only from the local server console using the graphic user interface version of the Windows Server 2003 Backup utility. To create an ASR backup, follow these steps:
Note The information contained on the ASR floppy disk is also stored on the backup media. The ASR floppy contains only two files, asr.sif and asrpnp.sif, that can be restored from the backup media and copied to a floppy disk if the original ASR floppy cannot be located. Tips on Using ASROne way to use ASR to ensure proper operations includes performing an ASR backup after the server is built, updated, configured, and secured. Also, an ASR backup should be performed when hardware configurations change and periodically otherwise. On domain controllers, this period should be less than 60 days to ensure that the domain can be up and running again if an Active Directory authoritative restore is necessary. ASR backs up only the system and boot partitions. ASR backups, on average, are between 1.3GB to 5GB. To prevent ASR backups from getting too large, user data and file shares should be kept off the system and boot volumes. |