Handling Remote Storage

Remote Storage is a Windows Server 2003 file system service that is used to automatically archive data to removable media from a managed NTFS volume. Files are migrated by Remote Storage when they haven't been accessed for an extended period of time or when a managed disk drops below a certain percent of free disk space. When Remote Storage migrates to a file or folder, it is replaced on the volume with a file link called a junction point. Junction points take up very little room, which reduces the amount of used disk space but leaves a way for this data to be accessed later in the original location. When a junction point is accessed, it spawns the Remote Storage service to retrieve the file that was migrated to tape.

Remote Storage Best Practices

On volumes managed by Remote Storage, antivirus software should be limited to scanning files only upon access. If the antivirus software scans the volume on a regular schedule, all the data previously migrated by Remote Storage may be requested and need to be migrated back to disk. Also, Windows Server 2003compatible backup programs have options to allow the backup to follow junction points and back up data stored on Remote Storage. This may seem like a great feature, but it can cause several requests to be sent to the backup devices for data that is stored across several disks. This can extend a nightly backup window for many hours more than expected, and the performance of the Remote Storage server may be severely impacted during this operation.

Also, if a volume contains a DFS target configured for replication, Remote Storage should not be enabled on that volume. If a new target is added to a replicating DFS link, the entire contents of that DFS target folder will be read by the File Replication Service. This read operation is necessary to generate the staging files in preparation of synchronizing the target data. This operation causes all the migrated files to be restored back to the volume.

Installing Remote Storage

Installing the Remote Storage service takes only a few minutes and requires the Windows Server 2003 installation media. To install and configure Remote Storage, follow these steps:

1.	Log on to the desired server using an account with Local Administrator access.
2.	Ensure that a Windows Server 2003 remote storagecompatible tape or optical media device or library has been installed and configured on the desired server. Review the Windows Server 2003 Hardware Compatibility List on the Microsoft Web site to verify that the device works with the Remote Storage service.
3.	Click Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.
4.	Select Add/Remove Windows Components from the left pane.
5.	Scroll down the list, check the box next to Remote Storage, and click Next to begin installation.
6.	If the Windows Server 2003 media are not located, you will be prompted to locate the media. Perform this step when necessary.
7.	Click Finish on the Completing the Windows Components Wizard and click Yes to restart the computer.

Configuring Remote Storage

One of the real beauties of Remote Storage is that there are very few options to configure, making implementation almost a snap. Configuring Remote Storage consists of only a few primary tasks:

• Configure the backup device that Remote Storage will use.

• Designate and manage the removable media that Remote Storage will use.

• Configure the settings for Remote Storage on the managed volumes.

Configuring the Backup Device

Remote Storage requires a backup device to migrate the data from the managed volume. If third-party backup software will be installed on a server running Remote Storage, it is recommended to install at least two separate backup devices and enable the Removable Storage service to access only one. This will prevent any conflicts with backup devices when both Remote Storage and the backup software want to simultaneously access the device. If only one backup device is available, try to avoid third-party backup products, unless it is certain that conflicts will not be encountered. Third-party backup agents running backups to remote servers and backup devices do not affect Remote Storage and local backup devices. All backup devices, such as tape drives, robotic tape libraries, and CD-ROMs are enabled by default to be managed by the Removable Storage service. Because Remote Storage uses this service to access the backup devices, a backup device for Remote Storage is configured by enabling the device to the Removable Storage service.

To enable a device, follow these steps:

1.	Install the backup device or library on the Windows Server 2003 system. Use the backup device manufacturer's documentation to accomplish this process.
2.	After the backup device is connected, boot up the server and log on using an account with Local Administrator access.
3.	Click Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools, Computer Management.
4.	In the left pane, if it is not already expanded, double-click Computer Management (local).
5.	Click the plus sign next to Storage.
6.	Click the plus sign next to Removable Storage.
7.	Click the plus sign next to Libraries.
8.	Right-click the library (backup device) you want and select Properties.
9.	On the General tab of the Device Properties page, check the Enable Drive box, as shown in Figure 30.18, and click OK. To prevent the Removable Storage service from using this device, uncheck this box and click OK. Figure 30.18. Enabling a backup device for the Removable Storage service.

Note

In Figure 30.18, the backup device selected is a single DLT tape device. Remote Storage can work with a single-tape device, but using it with robotic tape libraries that can change a tape is recommended to locate and restore data that is stored on multiple pieces of media automatically. A single-tape device requires administrator intervention when a file migrated by Remote Storage needs to be restored.

Allocating Removable Media for Remote Storage

After a device is configured for Remote Storage, you must allocate media for Remote Storage to use. When new or blank media are inserted in a device, upon device inventory, this media will be placed in the free media pool. If media were previously used by a different server or backup software, they are placed in the import, unrecognized, or backup media pools upon device inventory. The backup media pool is for media used by the local server's Windows Server 2003 Backup application.

To inventory a backup device and allocate media for remote storage, follow these steps:

1.	Locate the desired device, as outlined in the preceding section. Then right-click the device and choose Inventory.
2.	After the device completes the inventory process, select the backup device in the left pane. The media will then be listed in the right pane.
3.	Right-click the media listed in the right pane and select Properties.
4.	On the Media tab of the Media Properties page, note the media pool membership in the Location section. Figure 30.19 shows media that are part of the Import\DLT media pool. Figure 30.19. Removable media in the Import\DLT media pool.
5.	Click Cancel to close the Media Properties page.

If the media are not in the free or remote storage media pool, they must be placed there before Remote Storage can use them. The Remote Storage service uses the remote storage media pool for locating and storing media for file migration or archival purposes. The remote storage media pool is configured by default to look for media in the free pool if media in the backup device are not already in the remote storage media pool.

If the media are not in the free or remote storage media pool and can be overwritten, right-click the media and select Free. A warning message pops up stating that this media will be moved to the free pool and any data currently on the media will be lost. If that is okay, click Yes; otherwise, click No, insert a different piece of media into the backup device, and restart the backup process.

Configuring a Volume for Remote Storage Management

When the backup devices and removable media have been configured properly, a volume for remote storage management can be configured. To configure a managed volume, follow these steps:

1.	Log on to the desired Remote Storage server using an account with Local Administrator access.
2.	Click Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools, Remote Storage.
3.	If this is the first time the Remote Storage console has been opened or no volumes on the server have been configured for remote storage management, the Remote Storage Wizard will begin. Click Next on the Welcome screen to continue.
4.	On the Volume Management page, choose whether to manage all volumes or manage only selected volumes by selecting the correct radio button. If you selected Manage All Volumes, click Next.
5.	If you chose Manage Selected Volumes, check the volume you want to manage and click Next.
6.	On the Volume Settings page, enter the amount of free space you want for the managed volume.
7.	On the same page, configure the minimum file size before it will be migrated by Remote Storage; then configure the number of days a file must remain unaccessed before Remote Storage will make it a possible candidate for migration. Then click Next. Figure 30.20 shows a volume setting that will migrate data to Remote Storage when a volume has 10% free space remaining, and the file that will be migrated must be larger than 12KB and must remain unaccessed for 120 days. Figure 30.20. Setting typical Remote Storage volume settings.
8.	On the Media Type page, choose the media type associated with the backup device enabled for Remote Storage to use. Choose a media type from the Media Types pulldown menu.
9.	On the next page, you can configure a schedule to perform the file copy. The default is to run at 2 a.m. seven days a week. Click the Change Schedule button to configure a custom schedule or click Next to accept the default schedule.
10.	Click Finish on the Completing the Remote Storage Wizard page to complete the process.

When the process is complete, the Remote Storage console opens. This console can be used to manually initiate Remote Storage tasks on managed volumes, such as starting a file copy based on last file access time, to validate files or to create free space if the drive is below the free space threshold. This console can also be used to manage removable media. For more information on Remote Storage, refer to Chapter 32, "Backing Up a Windows Server 2003 Environment," and Chapter 33, "Recovering from a Disaster."