Removable Storage and Backup

Backing up and managing data are essential tasks in maintaining an efficient system, whether you are working on a stand-alone computer or you are working within a network. Use this guide to determine your storage management needs and to learn how to use the backup and storage management features that are included with Windows 2000 Professional.

 Understand the basic concepts of data storage management in Windows 2000 Professional.

Removable Storage provides a single interface for managing the data that is stored in stand-alone drives and in storage libraries, and it allocates media to applications. Understand how this feature can help you manage your data and storage media.

• See Overview of Removable Storage in this chapter.

 Use Removable Storage to manage your data.

Review the options provided by the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Removable Storage snap-in, including those for installing new storage devices and applications and for preparing media. Understand this tool and how to use it to manage the Removable Storage service.

• See Administering Removable Storage in this chapter.

 Troubleshoot problems in using Removable Storage.

Problems in using Removable Storage can be caused by either hardware or software. If Removable Storage cannot configure your devices or if operator requests are failing, review common troubleshooting procedures.

• See Troubleshooting Removable Storage in this chapter.

 Back up your data to protect against disasters.

Regular backups are integral to planning a reliable configuration. Review the types of backup and media that you can use and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Also review the security considerations for backups.

• See Overview of Backups in this chapter.

 Determine the most appropriate backup schedules and methods for your system.

The type of backup that you choose and the backup schedule that you implement depend on several factors, including whether you are working as part of a network or on a stand-alone computer and how often the data on your computer changes. Review some common backup scenarios, and determine which methods best fit your needs.

• See Establishing a Backup Plan in this chapter.

 Back up important system data.

System State data includes protected system files and registry files. Review the methods and important considerations for backing up this type of data.

• See Backing Up System State Data in this chapter.

 Use the Backup tool that is included with Windows 2000 Professional.

Backup allows you to schedule backup jobs on local and remote computers. Review the options for backing up data that this tool provides, and note some important differences between it and the backup tool that is included with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.

• See Using the Backup Tool in this chapter.