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Thread: Disaster Recovery Plan for complete system restoration

  1. #1
    Roman Guest

    Disaster Recovery Plan for complete system restoration

    I'd like some real-world advice please. I manage a small 5 user
    client-server network with a tight budget. The network uses a single server
    running Win 2K3 R2. The server has several additional roles including IIS
    with WSS3 and a suite of applications running under Terminal Services.

    I've progressively worked through the precautionary steps including hardware
    RAID1 and daily backups using NTbackup to an external USB hard drive.

    I have an ever present linguring concern about disaster recovery. I've
    researched and read numerous tutorials and MS articles however many
    real-world forum threads are not so comforting. A real-world thread I read
    only days ago highlighted the requirement to ensure all Service Packs and
    critical updates are applied to the Windows server installation before
    restoring a System State otherwise it will fail. Apparently this information
    is not made evident in any articles according to the author. I have spent 3
    days attempting a System State restoration once before and I was unsuccessful.

    I'd like to step through my plan in the hope that I can get some guidance in
    what can be improved to increase the likelyhood of success. Apparently 35% of
    all system restorations from tape fail according to
    http://www.computerperformance.co.uk...ery_backup.htm.

    I have scheduled a full system backup, using ntbackup, each morning to
    external HD - it only takes 1 hour. I've actually manually selected C:
    (SystemData), D: (UserData), and System State because I don't want F:
    included because it is the external drive containing the backups. The backups
    are appearing on the external drive and I've successfully restored individual
    files to test the process.

    In the event a system restoration is required my plan is:

    1. If required, replace both RAID1 HDs and partition C: and D: the same size
    as they are now,
    2. Install the OS,
    3. For a full system restoration there is no need to apply Service Packs and
    critical updates,
    4. No need to run DCpromo,
    5. Start ntbackup and start a full system restoration using the Advanced
    wizard, and
    6. Restart the server and all will be fine :)

    Now, the way I understand it because I am running a single server and will
    be doing a full system restoration, not just System State, I don't need to
    follow the authoritative restoration guidelines and repair for AD at bootup?

  2. #2
    Pegasus \(MVP\) Guest

    Re: Disaster Recovery Plan for complete system restoration

    Most system restores fail because the server administrator never
    takes the time to perform a live system restore. It's as simple as
    this. Here is what I usually do:
    1. I create an image file of the system drive, using Acronis TrueImage.
    2. I restore the image file to a spare IDE disk. Disks are cheap!
    3. I boot the system with this IDE disk. I now know whether my
    methods works or not.
    4. I create a new image file twice each year, always keeping the
    two most recent versions.
    5. I create a new image file before any major upgrade, e.g. before
    installing a service pack.

    If Acronis TrueImage is too expensive for you then you could
    create an image disk like this:
    - Format a spare IDE disk on some WinXP PC.
    - Boot the server with a Bart PE boot CD.
    - Use robocopy.exe to copy the system drive to the IDE disk.
    Include hidden files & permissions.

    Creating a Bart PE boot CD (www.bootdisk.com) takes a bit
    of time but it is a terrific tool for a system administrator.

    The essential thing in all this is: You MUST test your recovery
    process!

  3. #3
    Edwin vMierlo [MVP] Guest
    As Geoff N. Hiten (SQL MVP) would say

    If you don't test your recovery process, you do NOT have a recovery process,
    you have a recovery HOPE !!!!

    You put it much better than I did!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    1

    Re: Disaster Recovery Plan for complete system restoration

    Hi, I know I have resurrected an old thread...
    I am a disaster recovery specialist who recovers Wintel, Solaris, Linux, VMWare, Hyper-V from any hardware onto any other compatible hardware...

    To recover your systems...
    1. install OS in the same folder (winnt or windows)
    2. install service pack to same as original. (hotfixes not needed)
    3. recover all files using backup app. (overwrite all files, merge registry if option available)
    4. check boot.ini points to correct drive.
    5. restore system state. (overwrite all files, merge registry if option available)

    If on same hardware, all should work. If restoring HP onto Dell or IBM or Compaq (or any combination of the above) then drivers will need realigning... RAID drivers or SAS drivers in particular. That's a whole thread in itself...

    To test your strategy, take a half decent PC or laptop, install VMWare server and test the recovery... will take 1/2 a day and give you a warm feeling inside when you know it will work... .(make sure it's not on the live network!)

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