Chapter 12: Managing and Implementing Backups and Disaster Recovery

1. Chapter 12: Managing and Implementing Backups and Disaster Recovery

2. Planning for Disaster Recovery • Administrators need to be prepared for the possibility of server failure and/or file and folder loss at all times • Ensuring availability a key responsibility • Windows Server 2003 features: • The Backup utility • Shadow Copies of Shared Volumes • Automated System Recovery • Recover configuration • Must be used with install CD • Applications and data need to be restored • Advanced startup options • The Recovery Console • Command line trouble shooting tool

3. Backing Up and Restoring Data • Backup utility designed to restore an operating system or data in case of failure • Improved version of utility originally introduced in Windows 2000

4. Backing Up and Restoring Data (continued) • Tasks that can be performed include: • Back up and restore files and folders • Schedule a backup • Back up Windows 2003 System State data • Restore the Active Directory database • Create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) backup

5. Backup and Restore Concepts • Types of backups and backup hardware and software is dictated largely by the size and type of organization • A key issue is backup authority: • Administrators, Backup Operators, and Server Operators have broad authority • Other users may have some limited authority to back up certain files and folders • Two main Group Policy rights • Back up files and directories • Restore files and directories

6. Backup Types • Backup types include: • Normal backup • All selected files and folders • Clears the archive attribute • Incremental backup • Only files that have changed since last normal or incremental backup • Clears the archive attribute • Restore process is more complicated

7. Incremental Backup

8. Backup Types • Differential backup • Only files that have changed since last normal or incremental backup • Does not clear the archive attribute • Backup grows incrementally • Restore process less complicated • Daily backup • Files or folders that were created or changed on the day of the backup • Archive attribute is not changed • Copy backup • Exactly the same as a normal backup • Doesn’t change the archive attribute • Intended as an archival copy

9. Differential Backup

10. Using the Backup Utility • Commonly used to back up critical data and operating system files • Can be used in two modes: Wizard mode and Advanced mode • Can be used to • Back up System State data • Restore Active Directory • Access Automated System Restore feature

11. Using the Backup Utility (continued)

12. Backup

13. Scheduling Backups • Backups can be scheduled to occur without interaction from an administrator • Can schedule backups daily, weekly, monthly, predefined times, predefined days

14. Scheduling Backups (continued)

15. Backing Up and Restoring System State Data • System State data includes: • Registry (always) • COM+ Class Registration database (always) • Boot files (always) • Certificate Services database (if installed) • Active Directory (on domain controllers) • SYSVOL directory (on domain controllers) • Important user configuration files • Logon Scripts • Default Profiles • System policy files • Cluster service (if part of a cluster) • IIS Metadirectory (if IIS is installed) • System files (always)

16. Backing Up and Restoring System State Data (continued) • These components should be backed up with • Standard backups • Directed System State backups • Cannot back up individual components • To restore • Restart • Choose Directory Services Restore mode advanced startup • To restore Active Directory objects • Must use authoritative restore so that replication doesn’t overwrite corrections

17. Backup System State

18. Backup

19. Backup

20. Shadow Copies of Shared Folders • Purpose of this utility is to make recovery of user files in shared folders easy without requiring an administrator • Advantages for users: • Restoration of accidentally deleted files • Recovery of previous versions of files • Comparison of previous version to current version • Shadow Copies not enabled by default, must be explicitly enabled from Properties of a drive • Allows for Backup of open files

21. Shadow Copies of Shared Folders (continued) • Shadow Copies is enabled for entire volume (cannot shadow specific files or folders) • Copies are made on a pre-defined schedule • By default, Shadow Copies uses 10% of available disk space (minimum 100 MB) • When limit is reached, older copies are deleted

22. Previous Versions • Network users must install additional software on their systems to access previous versions of files via Shadow Copies • Client software provided in MSI format at %systemroot%\system32\clients\twclient\X86 (for Intel-based system) • Twcli32.msi • Adds an additional tab (Previous Versions) to Properties of files stored in shared Folders

23. Automated System Recovery • This utility was introduced in Windows Server 2003 • Main purpose is to restore a system to a functional state • Allows user to restore system configuration settings, not data files • Replaces ERD on earlier systems • Two different elements: • ASR backup (accessed from Backup Utility) • Floppy disk that contains information about backup, disk configuration, and how to perform a restore

24. Automated System Recovery (continued) • User data files should be backed up before ASR and restored after ASR • ASR backup should be done whenever system configuration is changed • ASR backup created using the Automated System Recovery Wizard • To recover, boot from Windows CD, select Repair option, use ASR floppy and backup to restore settings

25. Advanced Mode

26. Backup Advanced Mode

27. Advanced Startup Options • Used to troubleshoot startup problems • Provides a safe mode • Only loads the default minimal required Windows Server 2003 settings and device drivers • Windows Advanced Startup Options is accessed during system startup • Press F8 from Boot Loader Operating System Selection menu

28. Advanced Startup Options (continued)

29. Advanced Startup Options (continued)

30. Last Known Good Configuration • Allows you to recover from failed driver and registry changes • You should not log on to your server if problems are evident during boot process because any incorrect configuration changes will update last known good configuration • Cannot be used to resolve problems such as missing or corrupt files

31. The Recovery Console • The Recovery Console is an advanced tool for experienced administrators • It is used to: • Start and stop services • Format drives • Read and write data on a local hard drive • Copy files from a floppy or CD to a local hard drive • Perform administrative tasks • Must logon with AD restore password

32. Installing the Recovery Console • Two ways to start Recovery Console: • Run it from CD after a serious error by booting from the CD • Install on computer permanently • Once it is installed, it will be an option in the list of available operating systems during the initial boot process • Recovery Console can only be run by an administrator

33. Installing the Recovery Console (continued) • Variety of commands available through Recovery Console • Use the Help command within the Console for a complete list of commands • Common commands include: • copy • disable / enable– services or device drivers • exit – restarts computer • fixboot – writes a new partition boot sector • fixmbr – repairs the master boot record • listsvc – List all services

34. Save your system from disaster – Backup frequently