Backing Up Servers

Published : September 27, 2005

To enable a complete restore of a DPM server or file server, you must back up the operating system, applications, and server configuration. One approach to archiving system state is to use Backup, the backup software that is included with Windows Server 2003.

Backup enables you to create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set. The ASR set includes a backup of the system state, system services, and all disks associated with the operating system components. The set also includes a startup disk that contains information about the backup and the disk configurations. Create a new ASR set regularly, and especially after any major change to the system.

Backup also enables you to back up system state without creating an ASR set by exporting the system state to a file. Consider scheduling Backup to export system state to a file on a regular basis for archiving to tape.

For more information about using Backup to archive system state, see the white paper “Using Data Protection Manager with Windows Backup” in the “Featured Technical Content” section on the DPM Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?linkid=33686). For more information about Backup and ASR, see “Safeguarding your system” or search on “Backup” in Help and Support for Windows Server 2003.

Warning

It is critical that you back up the volumes on the DPM server that contain the system files for DPM, SQL Server, and SQL Server Reporting Services. In the case of a disaster in which only some of the DPM-required files are lost, you will be unable to install or uninstall DPM until you restore the volumes with the needed files.