In reading about the backup services in SBS 2003 and I want some
clarification before I trust my data to it.

Mainly I'm concerned about a full server restore in the event of a
drive failure.

Documentation says that In order to restore server you must first
install SBS 2003 and SP1 if you've applied it to the server you backed
up (I have).

At this point I think we've all applied SP1, but my question is that
do I have to go further than that?

What about all the other SP's and updates that have come along?

Is it as simple as (well not simple, it's quite a list),

Install SBS 2003 from CD
Install SP1
Run restore
get server back?

I've seen specific documentation on what exactly to do, but other than
getting disk drivers and SP1 running, will that be sufficient to
restore a server from a backup?

I've tried a few other backup solutions and they are pretty extensive
and a lot more than what I'm looking for, a simple backup like what is
in SBS is good enough for me. No need for tape library mgmt, backup
set mgmt etc, just give me a file or files that I can take off-site
and I'd be happy.

Just wanting to know how hard it is to actually get full server
restores from SBS backup. I've read posts from others that have been
sucessful.

Thanks,

Roveer

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Larry

Larry
Fri May 09 09:24:20 PDT 2008

You have it right. Note that you only need Windows service packs, not all
the other products. They will be restored when you restore your backup.

--
Larry
Please post the resolution to your
issue so that others may benefit.


"Roveer" <roveer@erols.com> wrote in message
news:148cdd00-f6f6-4252-82fb-6168e6f2079b@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> In reading about the backup services in SBS 2003 and I want some
> clarification before I trust my data to it.
>
> Mainly I'm concerned about a full server restore in the event of a
> drive failure.
>
> Documentation says that In order to restore server you must first
> install SBS 2003 and SP1 if you've applied it to the server you backed
> up (I have).
>
> At this point I think we've all applied SP1, but my question is that
> do I have to go further than that?
>
> What about all the other SP's and updates that have come along?
>
> Is it as simple as (well not simple, it's quite a list),
>
> Install SBS 2003 from CD
> Install SP1
> Run restore
> get server back?
>
> I've seen specific documentation on what exactly to do, but other than
> getting disk drivers and SP1 running, will that be sufficient to
> restore a server from a backup?
>
> I've tried a few other backup solutions and they are pretty extensive
> and a lot more than what I'm looking for, a simple backup like what is
> in SBS is good enough for me. No need for tape library mgmt, backup
> set mgmt etc, just give me a file or files that I can take off-site
> and I'd be happy.
>
> Just wanting to know how hard it is to actually get full server
> restores from SBS backup. I've read posts from others that have been
> sucessful.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Roveer


Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Frank

Frank
Fri May 09 09:34:54 PDT 2008

My experience with a failure at my Church is:

Raid 1 Controller failure wiped both drives. After replacing controller and
reformatting drives placed CD1 from SBS and installed the OS and stopped the
Install at that point. Plugged the USB Drive containing the Total backup
from SBS Backup Wizard and Rebooted Server. Opened NTBackup and Did a Full
Restore from USB and 1:15 after booting from CD1 the Church server was back
up and running.

Requirements: Install OS and the SP level that the Backup was made with with
Identical Server, Domain Name and Administrator Passwords.

--
Frank McCallister SBS MVP
MCP Microsoft Small Business Specialist
COMPUMAC

"Roveer" <roveer@erols.com> wrote in message
news:148cdd00-f6f6-4252-82fb-6168e6f2079b@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> In reading about the backup services in SBS 2003 and I want some
> clarification before I trust my data to it.
>
> Mainly I'm concerned about a full server restore in the event of a
> drive failure.
>
> Documentation says that In order to restore server you must first
> install SBS 2003 and SP1 if you've applied it to the server you backed
> up (I have).
>
> At this point I think we've all applied SP1, but my question is that
> do I have to go further than that?
>
> What about all the other SP's and updates that have come along?
>
> Is it as simple as (well not simple, it's quite a list),
>
> Install SBS 2003 from CD
> Install SP1
> Run restore
> get server back?
>
> I've seen specific documentation on what exactly to do, but other than
> getting disk drivers and SP1 running, will that be sufficient to
> restore a server from a backup?
>
> I've tried a few other backup solutions and they are pretty extensive
> and a lot more than what I'm looking for, a simple backup like what is
> in SBS is good enough for me. No need for tape library mgmt, backup
> set mgmt etc, just give me a file or files that I can take off-site
> and I'd be happy.
>
> Just wanting to know how hard it is to actually get full server
> restores from SBS backup. I've read posts from others that have been
> sucessful.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Roveer


Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by SuperGumby

SuperGumby
Fri May 09 09:48:04 PDT 2008

a Disaster Recovery style restore is never something that is going to be
easy but SBS Backup does a pretty good job.

More importantly it is well documented. Either:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/4082d695-2075-4ca0-8af8-99fd04b78b2d1033.mspx?mfr=true
or Mariette's
http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articles/tabid/266/articleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/93/PageID/114/Default.aspx

Larry sortta says it but I'll say it in a different way. The key point
concerning your SP level during restore is that at this point you are only
running Windows (installed from SBS media but not yet fully SBS), the system
is not yet a domain controller and has no applications installed, the
Windows SP is the only thing which can be applied. So, though you may have
an SBS SP1 or R2 system it is likely to be at Windows SP2 level today, your
restore is performed after _just_ Windows 2003 and SP2 is installed.

"Roveer" <roveer@erols.com> wrote in message
news:148cdd00-f6f6-4252-82fb-6168e6f2079b@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> In reading about the backup services in SBS 2003 and I want some
> clarification before I trust my data to it.
>
> Mainly I'm concerned about a full server restore in the event of a
> drive failure.
>
> Documentation says that In order to restore server you must first
> install SBS 2003 and SP1 if you've applied it to the server you backed
> up (I have).
>
> At this point I think we've all applied SP1, but my question is that
> do I have to go further than that?
>
> What about all the other SP's and updates that have come along?
>
> Is it as simple as (well not simple, it's quite a list),
>
> Install SBS 2003 from CD
> Install SP1
> Run restore
> get server back?
>
> I've seen specific documentation on what exactly to do, but other than
> getting disk drivers and SP1 running, will that be sufficient to
> restore a server from a backup?
>
> I've tried a few other backup solutions and they are pretty extensive
> and a lot more than what I'm looking for, a simple backup like what is
> in SBS is good enough for me. No need for tape library mgmt, backup
> set mgmt etc, just give me a file or files that I can take off-site
> and I'd be happy.
>
> Just wanting to know how hard it is to actually get full server
> restores from SBS backup. I've read posts from others that have been
> sucessful.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Roveer



Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Roveer

Roveer
Fri May 09 13:13:04 PDT 2008

Wow!!! Sounds like this is less of a hastle that I thought.

Here's the question I really want to know.

I built my server using pre sp1 install media (the old stuff) and then
installed SP1 with a slew of other updates.

If I find myself in a Disaster situation and need to re-install/
restore can I use the later CD which I believe included SP1? This
would mean I would just need to run the install, stop before building
domains etc, run backup and restore? Is it possible that it could be
that simple?

Thanks,

Roveer

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Les

Les
Fri May 09 14:54:06 PDT 2008

Yes, pretty well.

Install Windows Server 2003, and service pack it to the same *windows* SP as
the backed up OS.
Configure your drives isn't mentioned in the thread (or I missed it), as
you'll want to restore to the same drive letters.
Restore, following the document MS provides.

--
Les Connor [SBS MVP]
________________________
Get the SBS BPA here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940439/en-us


"Roveer" <roveer@erols.com> wrote in message
news:48154756-9061-46c7-8820-0e6271902c81@a23g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
> Wow!!! Sounds like this is less of a hastle that I thought.
>
> Here's the question I really want to know.
>
> I built my server using pre sp1 install media (the old stuff) and then
> installed SP1 with a slew of other updates.
>
> If I find myself in a Disaster situation and need to re-install/
> restore can I use the later CD which I believe included SP1? This
> would mean I would just need to run the install, stop before building
> domains etc, run backup and restore? Is it possible that it could be
> that simple?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Roveer


Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by PWT24

PWT24
Fri May 09 20:59:00 PDT 2008

I had your EXACT concerns 2 weeks ago when I needed to upgrade an SBS box
with 4 - 80GB Hard drives, 2 on RAID 1 and 2 used for backups. The RAID 1
drives were full so I did a lot of reading in this group as well as posting.
In fact I have not had time to post the results but thought I better when I
saw your concerns. Please note that this worked only by using the same OS!!
Here is what I did including some house keeping:

- Backup your system (preferrably to an external Hard Drive) using ntbackup
and be sure to capture the system state but NOT the exchange folders.
(exchange folders will be restored during the restore)

- To be safe, I then stopped all exchange services (know which one's you
stop) and manually backed up the exchange folders to the same external hard
drive.

- Restart the services (I don't know if that is necessary but I felt better)

- For piece of mind I also made local copies of all Outlook .ost files
(exported as .pst locally of course)

- Make sure you have documented the Server Name, FQD, Domain, Web
Certificate, IP Addresses (LAN & WAN), Gateway, Router IP, DNS, Current Drive
Letters, Drive Names and Sizes. (Letters and Names should be the same but as
the saying goes "size does not matter" just don't create smaller drive sizes
than what you have now. Also note the Service Pack installed.

- Be sure (if possible) to know and save a copy of the RAID settings

- Have ALL Motherboard Drivers on CD or something.

- For me I replaced the 80GB drives on the RAID with 500GB drives so this
step is dependant on your situation;
- Removed ALL drives and replaced ONLY the RAID drives (for now) with new
larger drives.

- Shut down and boot to your SBS CD or DVD

- Enter into your RAID config and load saved config or manually configure
RAID according to your notes.

- Reboot System pressing F6 when prompted for additional drive setup

- The press "S" when prompted and load floppy as directed

- Continue with install

- Partition Drives as needed. I know there are a million thoughts on
partition sizes but based on my readings and others feedback I decided to go
with the following;
C: 100GB (OS and page file)
D: 150GB (Data, Exchange & logs)
F: 250GB (Users data)
- I know, I know the C: drive does not need to be that large but I am tired
of moving crap off the C: drive because it fills up. Yes it does fill up!!
It does too! :)

- Continue installing SBS

- Upon reboot, make sure there are no floppies in the drive (RAID config
maybe?)

- Set up begins...

- STOP....DO NOT FINISH SET UP USING THE TO DO LIST!!!

- Install MOBO drivers

- Install necessary Service Packs to get you to the version you had when
backup took place. Just be sure you have at LEAST the level you had. It is
okay to have a higher version just not lower.

- Format additional partitions D: E: etc. (using disk management)

- Shut down and install any additional drives needed. Be sure to format
them after you get back into OS.

- Now you are almost there! Now just follow this restore doc...
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/f6d5c71a-6eb8-43fe-aa86-327166ef3e901033.mspx?mfr=true

-That is all I did and the server is working great!

- Total time once I had a good backup about 5 hours.

Hope that was all helpful.

Tim



"Roveer" wrote:

> Wow!!! Sounds like this is less of a hastle that I thought.
>
> Here's the question I really want to know.
>
> I built my server using pre sp1 install media (the old stuff) and then
> installed SP1 with a slew of other updates.
>
> If I find myself in a Disaster situation and need to re-install/
> restore can I use the later CD which I believe included SP1? This
> would mean I would just need to run the install, stop before building
> domains etc, run backup and restore? Is it possible that it could be
> that simple?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Roveer
>

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Larry

Larry
Sat May 10 07:07:44 PDT 2008

You did good. I would probably have used the existing 80's in RAID1 for the
OS, and added the new drives in RAID1 for the data, partitioning them any
way you wanted.

I feel that this will allow me to loose one drive in either set without
jeopardizing the other. It also allows for removing one OS drive for any
serious changes without affecting the redundancy of the data, and if I ever
needed to go to a different RAID config, say RAID5 for the DATA, I don't
have to worry about backing up and restoring the OS again.

--
Larry
Please post the resolution to your
issue so that others may benefit.


"PWT24" <PWT24@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A6672B76-5958-47C7-9714-9720986C1305@microsoft.com...
>I had your EXACT concerns 2 weeks ago when I needed to upgrade an SBS box
> with 4 - 80GB Hard drives, 2 on RAID 1 and 2 used for backups. The RAID 1
> drives were full so I did a lot of reading in this group as well as
> posting.
> In fact I have not had time to post the results but thought I better when
> I
> saw your concerns. Please note that this worked only by using the same
> OS!!
> Here is what I did including some house keeping:
>
> - Backup your system (preferrably to an external Hard Drive) using
> ntbackup
> and be sure to capture the system state but NOT the exchange folders.
> (exchange folders will be restored during the restore)
>
> - To be safe, I then stopped all exchange services (know which one's you
> stop) and manually backed up the exchange folders to the same external
> hard
> drive.
>
> - Restart the services (I don't know if that is necessary but I felt
> better)
>
> - For piece of mind I also made local copies of all Outlook .ost files
> (exported as .pst locally of course)
>
> - Make sure you have documented the Server Name, FQD, Domain, Web
> Certificate, IP Addresses (LAN & WAN), Gateway, Router IP, DNS, Current
> Drive
> Letters, Drive Names and Sizes. (Letters and Names should be the same but
> as
> the saying goes "size does not matter" just don't create smaller drive
> sizes
> than what you have now. Also note the Service Pack installed.
>
> - Be sure (if possible) to know and save a copy of the RAID settings
>
> - Have ALL Motherboard Drivers on CD or something.
>
> - For me I replaced the 80GB drives on the RAID with 500GB drives so this
> step is dependant on your situation;
> - Removed ALL drives and replaced ONLY the RAID drives (for now) with new
> larger drives.
>
> - Shut down and boot to your SBS CD or DVD
>
> - Enter into your RAID config and load saved config or manually configure
> RAID according to your notes.
>
> - Reboot System pressing F6 when prompted for additional drive setup
>
> - The press "S" when prompted and load floppy as directed
>
> - Continue with install
>
> - Partition Drives as needed. I know there are a million thoughts on
> partition sizes but based on my readings and others feedback I decided to
> go
> with the following;
> C: 100GB (OS and page file)
> D: 150GB (Data, Exchange & logs)
> F: 250GB (Users data)
> - I know, I know the C: drive does not need to be that large but I am
> tired
> of moving crap off the C: drive because it fills up. Yes it does fill
> up!!
> It does too! :)
>
> - Continue installing SBS
>
> - Upon reboot, make sure there are no floppies in the drive (RAID config
> maybe?)
>
> - Set up begins...
>
> - STOP....DO NOT FINISH SET UP USING THE TO DO LIST!!!
>
> - Install MOBO drivers
>
> - Install necessary Service Packs to get you to the version you had when
> backup took place. Just be sure you have at LEAST the level you had. It
> is
> okay to have a higher version just not lower.
>
> - Format additional partitions D: E: etc. (using disk management)
>
> - Shut down and install any additional drives needed. Be sure to format
> them after you get back into OS.
>
> - Now you are almost there! Now just follow this restore doc...
> http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/f6d5c71a-6eb8-43fe-aa86-327166ef3e901033.mspx?mfr=true
>
> -That is all I did and the server is working great!
>
> - Total time once I had a good backup about 5 hours.
>
> Hope that was all helpful.
>
> Tim
>
>
>
> "Roveer" wrote:
>
>> Wow!!! Sounds like this is less of a hastle that I thought.
>>
>> Here's the question I really want to know.
>>
>> I built my server using pre sp1 install media (the old stuff) and then
>> installed SP1 with a slew of other updates.
>>
>> If I find myself in a Disaster situation and need to re-install/
>> restore can I use the later CD which I believe included SP1? This
>> would mean I would just need to run the install, stop before building
>> domains etc, run backup and restore? Is it possible that it could be
>> that simple?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Roveer
>>


Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by PWT24

PWT24
Sat May 10 09:20:01 PDT 2008

Thanks Larry. I see what you are saying and it makes great sense. Only
reason I decided not to use the 80's for the OS is that they are 3 years old.
I did not want to increase the risk of failures since they were buying new
drives anyway.

I should finally mention that the SBS is now being backed up to 750GB
External drives.

"Larry Struckmeyer [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> You did good. I would probably have used the existing 80's in RAID1 for the
> OS, and added the new drives in RAID1 for the data, partitioning them any
> way you wanted.
>
> I feel that this will allow me to loose one drive in either set without
> jeopardizing the other. It also allows for removing one OS drive for any
> serious changes without affecting the redundancy of the data, and if I ever
> needed to go to a different RAID config, say RAID5 for the DATA, I don't
> have to worry about backing up and restoring the OS again.
>
> --
> Larry
> Please post the resolution to your
> issue so that others may benefit.
>
>
> "PWT24" <PWT24@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A6672B76-5958-47C7-9714-9720986C1305@microsoft.com...
> >I had your EXACT concerns 2 weeks ago when I needed to upgrade an SBS box
> > with 4 - 80GB Hard drives, 2 on RAID 1 and 2 used for backups. The RAID 1
> > drives were full so I did a lot of reading in this group as well as
> > posting.
> > In fact I have not had time to post the results but thought I better when
> > I
> > saw your concerns. Please note that this worked only by using the same
> > OS!!
> > Here is what I did including some house keeping:
> >
> > - Backup your system (preferrably to an external Hard Drive) using
> > ntbackup
> > and be sure to capture the system state but NOT the exchange folders.
> > (exchange folders will be restored during the restore)
> >
> > - To be safe, I then stopped all exchange services (know which one's you
> > stop) and manually backed up the exchange folders to the same external
> > hard
> > drive.
> >
> > - Restart the services (I don't know if that is necessary but I felt
> > better)
> >
> > - For piece of mind I also made local copies of all Outlook .ost files
> > (exported as .pst locally of course)
> >
> > - Make sure you have documented the Server Name, FQD, Domain, Web
> > Certificate, IP Addresses (LAN & WAN), Gateway, Router IP, DNS, Current
> > Drive
> > Letters, Drive Names and Sizes. (Letters and Names should be the same but
> > as
> > the saying goes "size does not matter" just don't create smaller drive
> > sizes
> > than what you have now. Also note the Service Pack installed.
> >
> > - Be sure (if possible) to know and save a copy of the RAID settings
> >
> > - Have ALL Motherboard Drivers on CD or something.
> >
> > - For me I replaced the 80GB drives on the RAID with 500GB drives so this
> > step is dependant on your situation;
> > - Removed ALL drives and replaced ONLY the RAID drives (for now) with new
> > larger drives.
> >
> > - Shut down and boot to your SBS CD or DVD
> >
> > - Enter into your RAID config and load saved config or manually configure
> > RAID according to your notes.
> >
> > - Reboot System pressing F6 when prompted for additional drive setup
> >
> > - The press "S" when prompted and load floppy as directed
> >
> > - Continue with install
> >
> > - Partition Drives as needed. I know there are a million thoughts on
> > partition sizes but based on my readings and others feedback I decided to
> > go
> > with the following;
> > C: 100GB (OS and page file)
> > D: 150GB (Data, Exchange & logs)
> > F: 250GB (Users data)
> > - I know, I know the C: drive does not need to be that large but I am
> > tired
> > of moving crap off the C: drive because it fills up. Yes it does fill
> > up!!
> > It does too! :)
> >
> > - Continue installing SBS
> >
> > - Upon reboot, make sure there are no floppies in the drive (RAID config
> > maybe?)
> >
> > - Set up begins...
> >
> > - STOP....DO NOT FINISH SET UP USING THE TO DO LIST!!!
> >
> > - Install MOBO drivers
> >
> > - Install necessary Service Packs to get you to the version you had when
> > backup took place. Just be sure you have at LEAST the level you had. It
> > is
> > okay to have a higher version just not lower.
> >
> > - Format additional partitions D: E: etc. (using disk management)
> >
> > - Shut down and install any additional drives needed. Be sure to format
> > them after you get back into OS.
> >
> > - Now you are almost there! Now just follow this restore doc...
> > http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/f6d5c71a-6eb8-43fe-aa86-327166ef3e901033.mspx?mfr=true
> >
> > -That is all I did and the server is working great!
> >
> > - Total time once I had a good backup about 5 hours.
> >
> > Hope that was all helpful.
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> >
> > "Roveer" wrote:
> >
> >> Wow!!! Sounds like this is less of a hastle that I thought.
> >>
> >> Here's the question I really want to know.
> >>
> >> I built my server using pre sp1 install media (the old stuff) and then
> >> installed SP1 with a slew of other updates.
> >>
> >> If I find myself in a Disaster situation and need to re-install/
> >> restore can I use the later CD which I believe included SP1? This
> >> would mean I would just need to run the install, stop before building
> >> domains etc, run backup and restore? Is it possible that it could be
> >> that simple?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Roveer
> >>
>

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Lem

Lem
Sat May 10 13:13:13 PDT 2008

SuperGumby [SBS MVP] wrote:
> a Disaster Recovery style restore is never something that is going to be
> easy but SBS Backup does a pretty good job.
>
> More importantly it is well documented. Either:
> http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/4082d695-2075-4ca0-8af8-99fd04b78b2d1033.mspx?mfr=true
> or Mariette's
> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articles/tabid/266/articleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/93/PageID/114/Default.aspx
>
> Larry sortta says it but I'll say it in a different way. The key point
> concerning your SP level during restore is that at this point you are only
> running Windows (installed from SBS media but not yet fully SBS), the system
> is not yet a domain controller and has no applications installed, the
> Windows SP is the only thing which can be applied. So, though you may have
> an SBS SP1 or R2 system it is likely to be at Windows SP2 level today, your
> restore is performed after _just_ Windows 2003 and SP2 is installed.
>
> "Roveer" <roveer@erols.com> wrote in message
> news:148cdd00-f6f6-4252-82fb-6168e6f2079b@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>> In reading about the backup services in SBS 2003 and I want some
>> clarification before I trust my data to it.
>>
>> Mainly I'm concerned about a full server restore in the event of a
>> drive failure.
>>
>> Documentation says that In order to restore server you must first
>> install SBS 2003 and SP1 if you've applied it to the server you backed
>> up (I have).
>>
>> At this point I think we've all applied SP1, but my question is that
>> do I have to go further than that?
>>
>> What about all the other SP's and updates that have come along?
>>
>> Is it as simple as (well not simple, it's quite a list),
>>
>> Install SBS 2003 from CD
>> Install SP1
>> Run restore
>> get server back?
>>
>> I've seen specific documentation on what exactly to do, but other than
>> getting disk drivers and SP1 running, will that be sufficient to
>> restore a server from a backup?
>>
>> I've tried a few other backup solutions and they are pretty extensive
>> and a lot more than what I'm looking for, a simple backup like what is
>> in SBS is good enough for me. No need for tape library mgmt, backup
>> set mgmt etc, just give me a file or files that I can take off-site
>> and I'd be happy.
>>
>> Just wanting to know how hard it is to actually get full server
>> restores from SBS backup. I've read posts from others that have been
>> sucessful.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Roveer
>
>

I realize it's unorthodox, but can someone tell me what's wrong with
restoring SBS 2003 from a clone of the system drive in the event that
you don't have the original SBS 2003 install media.

--
Lem

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Larry

Larry
Sat May 10 14:02:39 PDT 2008

Hi Lem:

If you are asking:

"If I had the foresight to purchase and use an imaging software, and the
image that I have is current enough, and is capable of bare metal restore,
can I do that instead of reinstalling the OS?"

The answer is probably yes, but no guarantees from MS or anyone here. As
always, the best course of action would be to have a tested scenario.
--
Larry
Please post the resolution to your
issue so that others may benefit.


"Lem" <lemp40@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ukH4HptsIHA.6096@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> SuperGumby [SBS MVP] wrote:
>> a Disaster Recovery style restore is never something that is going to be
>> easy but SBS Backup does a pretty good job.
>>
>> More importantly it is well documented. Either:
>> http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServerSolutions/SBS/en/library/4082d695-2075-4ca0-8af8-99fd04b78b2d1033.mspx?mfr=true
>> or Mariette's
>> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articles/tabid/266/articleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/93/PageID/114/Default.aspx
>>
>> Larry sortta says it but I'll say it in a different way. The key point
>> concerning your SP level during restore is that at this point you are
>> only running Windows (installed from SBS media but not yet fully SBS),
>> the system is not yet a domain controller and has no applications
>> installed, the Windows SP is the only thing which can be applied. So,
>> though you may have an SBS SP1 or R2 system it is likely to be at Windows
>> SP2 level today, your restore is performed after _just_ Windows 2003 and
>> SP2 is installed.
>>
>> "Roveer" <roveer@erols.com> wrote in message
>> news:148cdd00-f6f6-4252-82fb-6168e6f2079b@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>>> In reading about the backup services in SBS 2003 and I want some
>>> clarification before I trust my data to it.
>>>
>>> Mainly I'm concerned about a full server restore in the event of a
>>> drive failure.
>>>
>>> Documentation says that In order to restore server you must first
>>> install SBS 2003 and SP1 if you've applied it to the server you backed
>>> up (I have).
>>>
>>> At this point I think we've all applied SP1, but my question is that
>>> do I have to go further than that?
>>>
>>> What about all the other SP's and updates that have come along?
>>>
>>> Is it as simple as (well not simple, it's quite a list),
>>>
>>> Install SBS 2003 from CD
>>> Install SP1
>>> Run restore
>>> get server back?
>>>
>>> I've seen specific documentation on what exactly to do, but other than
>>> getting disk drivers and SP1 running, will that be sufficient to
>>> restore a server from a backup?
>>>
>>> I've tried a few other backup solutions and they are pretty extensive
>>> and a lot more than what I'm looking for, a simple backup like what is
>>> in SBS is good enough for me. No need for tape library mgmt, backup
>>> set mgmt etc, just give me a file or files that I can take off-site
>>> and I'd be happy.
>>>
>>> Just wanting to know how hard it is to actually get full server
>>> restores from SBS backup. I've read posts from others that have been
>>> sucessful.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Roveer
>>
>>
>
> I realize it's unorthodox, but can someone tell me what's wrong with
> restoring SBS 2003 from a clone of the system drive in the event that you
> don't have the original SBS 2003 install media.
>
> --
> Lem


Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Lem

Lem
Sat May 10 16:00:19 PDT 2008

Larry Struckmeyer [SBS-MVP] wrote:
> Hi Lem:
>
> If you are asking:
>
> "If I had the foresight to purchase and use an imaging software, and the
> image that I have is current enough, and is capable of bare metal
> restore, can I do that instead of reinstalling the OS?"
>
> The answer is probably yes, but no guarantees from MS or anyone here.
> As always, the best course of action would be to have a tested scenario.

Well, that's kinda what I'm asking.

It's more like, "If I had a friend with SBS 2003 installed on his server
who was unfortunate enough to lose or misplace his install media and
unable to obtain replacement media (it's a long story), could I save him
the expense of purchasing a full retail box of SBS 2003 by instead
having him buy imaging software and an inexpensive USB external drive
and then imaging his (currently working) system to the external drive?"

As I have explained to him, this would be the "unsupported option," and
that for peace of mind he's probably better off spending the extra
couple of hundred dollars buying a retail box of SBS 2003 R2 and doing
things "the Microsoft way." That would also have the added benefit of
upgrading his current SBS 2003 to SBS 2003 R2.

Even with install media for SBS and Outlook, I assume that any restore
to a bare drive will also need the appropriate set of drivers available.
Fortunately, in this case, those can be d/l'ed from Dell.

--
Lem

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Enis

Enis
Sun May 11 03:16:14 PDT 2008

We have since learnt that SBS backup using NTBACKUP is not reliable
anymore -just like relying on tapes.

Future proof yourself and your clients data by buying some decent
imaging software such as StorageCraft's SBS imaging software. That
way you CAN restore a full server restore to both the same hardware
and/or independent hardware in the shortest possible time. Backups
are extrememly fast and small to disk, independent file recovery is
very efficient with daily incremental backups, and you can also mount
an image in a VM envrionment to run while the server hardware is being
replaced and then restore changes back to working server again too.

Seen it and done it with my own eyes and it works just as it says it
does not to mention that it is cheap to buy too.

Re: using SBS's backup features for a full server restore... by Cris

Cris
Sun May 11 08:05:27 PDT 2008


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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Don't know where you got the idea that SBS's backup is not reliable.
I know lots of foks have done complete restores with that functionality

I don't disagree that StorageCraft makes an excellent product.

--=20
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
------------------------------------------
MVPs Do Not Work For Microsoft
-----------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly. Please post only in the newsgroup so =
all can benefit


"Enis" <jack.gray@pcpeople.co.nz> wrote in message =
news:0056acdc-f81b-4842-9576-33d4260437bc@w5g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
We have since learnt that SBS backup using NTBACKUP is not reliable
anymore -just like relying on tapes.

Future proof yourself and your clients data by buying some decent
imaging software such as StorageCraft's SBS imaging software. That
way you CAN restore a full server restore to both the same hardware
and/or independent hardware in the shortest possible time. Backups
are extrememly fast and small to disk, independent file recovery is
very efficient with daily incremental backups, and you can also mount
an image in a VM envrionment to run while the server hardware is being
replaced and then restore changes back to working server again too.

Seen it and done it with my own eyes and it works just as it says it
does not to mention that it is cheap to buy too.
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Don't know where you got the idea that =
SBS's backup=20
is not reliable.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I know lots of foks have done complete =
restores=20
with that functionality</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I don't disagree that StorageCraft =
makes an=20
excellent product.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><BR>-- <BR>Cris Hanna=20
[SBS-MVP]<BR>------------------------------------------<BR>MVPs Do Not =
Work For=20
Microsoft<BR>-----------------------------------------------------<BR>Ple=
ase do=20
not contact me directly.&nbsp; Please post only in the newsgroup so all =
can=20
benefit</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>"Enis" &lt;<A=20
href=3D"mailto:jack.gray@pcpeople.co.nz">jack.gray@pcpeople.co.nz</A>&gt;=
wrote in=20
message <A=20
href=3D"news:0056acdc-f81b-4842-9576-33d4260437bc@w5g2000prd.googlegroups=
.com">news:0056acdc-f81b-4842-9576-33d4260437bc@w5g2000prd.googlegroups.c=
om</A>...</DIV>We=20
have since learnt that SBS backup using NTBACKUP is not =
reliable<BR>anymore=20
-just like relying on tapes.<BR><BR>Future proof yourself and your =
clients data=20
by buying some decent<BR>imaging software such as StorageCraft's SBS =
imaging=20
software.&nbsp; That<BR>way you CAN restore a full server restore to =
both the=20
same hardware<BR>and/or independent hardware in the shortest possible=20
time.&nbsp; Backups<BR>are extrememly fast and small to disk, =
independent file=20
recovery is<BR>very efficient with daily incremental backups, and you =
can also=20
mount<BR>an image in a VM envrionment to run while the server hardware =
is=20
being<BR>replaced and then restore changes back to working server again=20
too.<BR><BR>Seen it and done it with my own eyes and it works just as it =
says=20
it<BR>does not to mention that it is cheap to buy too.</BODY></HTML>

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