Issue with NT Backup an dRecovery

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I would like to use Windows NT backup to make a copy of the C drive and
System State of my production servers. The steps I followed are:
1. Create a full back of drive C and include the system state of a server
2. On a new server (different hardware) install the OS
3. On the new server restore the full backup and system state created earlier

My problem is that when I restore the System State to a new (different
hardware) machine the server will not boot up. All of our servers are IBM
Eseries and Xseries so I would have thought this would work. Is there a way
that I can restore a full MS Backup including System State from one server to
a completely different one?

As to why I want to do this, it would be a fast and inexpensive way to
disaster recover a server as I would not need to re-install all of the
applications - This would save a lot of time on some of our servers with apps
that require a lot of configuration. All data from other drives could then
be restored from tape backup.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jack
 
Johnny Wright said:
I would like to use Windows NT backup to make a copy of the C drive and
System State of my production servers. The steps I followed are:
1. Create a full back of drive C and include the system state of a server
2. On a new server (different hardware) install the OS
3. On the new server restore the full backup and system state created earlier

My problem is that when I restore the System State to a new (different
hardware) machine the server will not boot up. All of our servers are IBM
Eseries and Xseries so I would have thought this would work. Is there a way
that I can restore a full MS Backup including System State from one server to
a completely different one?

As to why I want to do this, it would be a fast and inexpensive way to
disaster recover a server as I would not need to re-install all of the
applications - This would save a lot of time on some of our servers with apps
that require a lot of configuration. All data from other drives could then
be restored from tape backup.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jack
Click to expand...

When loading the auxiliary version of Windows, make sure it goes
into a different folder than the real thing.

I use Acronis True Image for the purpose of backing up a system
disk. To rebuild a machine, I boot the machine with an Acronis
Recovery CD, then restore the image to the blank partition.
It takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Remember to test your
recovery process at least once - without a test it is useless!
 
Johnny Wright said:
I would like to use Windows NT backup to make a copy of the C drive and
System State of my production servers. The steps I followed are:
1. Create a full back of drive C and include the system state of a server
2. On a new server (different hardware) install the OS
3. On the new server restore the full backup and system state created earlier

My problem is that when I restore the System State to a new (different
hardware) machine the server will not boot up. All of our servers are IBM
Eseries and Xseries so I would have thought this would work. Is there a way
that I can restore a full MS Backup including System State from one server to
a completely different one?

As to why I want to do this, it would be a fast and inexpensive way to
disaster recover a server as I would not need to re-install all of the
applications - This would save a lot of time on some of our servers with apps
that require a lot of configuration. All data from other drives could then
be restored from tape backup.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jack
Click to expand...

You asked this same question in a different newsgroup but because
you multi-posted it, the replies are invisible in this newsgroup. Here
is the follow-up.

You wrote:
======================
"I believe that your solution in the other group(while it
may work very well for you) was to purchase a third party program.
I specifially stated in my post why I want to use MS Backup
to complete this task. I am aware that there are various third party
programs out there that could perform the duties that I require but having
said that MS Backup is free and already available to me. I also realize
that
certain people do little more the monitor these discussion looking for an
opportunity to push certain products.... enough said."

======================
This is your interpretation. If you're skilled in restoring Windows
boot environments then you can duplicate commercial imaging
tools by booting the server with a Bart PE boot CD (www.bootdisk.com),
then using xcopy.exe to create or restore a clone of the system disk.
This is functionally equivalent to using ntbackup.exe. The Bart PE CD
is freeware.

You also wrote:
======================
"I would however like to thank you for the "newgroup etiquette" course that
you provided to me but should point out that I am hardly the only person
posting in multiple groups. The fact that you take the time to explain to
me
why I should not be doing this is laughable."
======================
An interesting point of view. You were apparently unaware of the
drawbacks of multi-posting, yet you find it laughable that someone
takes the time to explain the concept in neutral, non-emotional
words.

You also wrote:
======================
"Oh well, now that my post is essentially been brought to an end because you
wanted to see your own words on the board."

======================
Another interesting point of view.

And at the beginning of your initial post you wrote:
======================
2. On a new server (different hardware) install the OS
3. On the new server restore the full backup and system state created
earlier

======================
While there are ways to restore an OS to different hardware, they
are not supported by Microsoft and are not at all recommended
for servers where stability and reliability are of the utmost importance.

I wish you good luck in resolving this issue.
 
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