Chapter Overview n n Backing Up Your Network

Chapter Overview n n Backing Up Your Network Backing Up and Restoring Active Directory 1

Backing Up Your Network n n Backups are copies of data, made regularly, that let you restore data if a drive fails or is damaged. Backups are the ultimate fault-tolerance measure. A network backup strategy specifies what data is backed up, how often, and the type of media used to store the backups. Backup decisions include hardware, software, and the type of backup to be performed. 2

Backup Hardware n n The ideal storage device can store an entire backup job on a single tape or other storage unit. When choosing a storage device for backups, consider n n The The speed at which the drive writes data cost of the device cost of the media used by the device cost per megabyte 3

Magnetic Tape Drives n n n Are the most common hardware device used for backups Are well suited for backups: fast, can hold a large volume of data, can be archived indefinitely, and have a low cost per megabyte Include many different types: n n n Quarter-inch cartridge (QIC) Digital audio tape (DAT) 8 mm n n Digital linear tape (DLT) Linear tape-open (LTO) 4

Autochangers n n n You can use an autochanger to create an automated backup solution that provides greater capacity than a single drive does. Autochangers are sometimes called jukeboxes or tape libraries. An autochanger contains one or more drives, a media array, and a robotic mechanism that swaps the media in and out of the drives. An autochanger has a higher capacity than a single drive. The cost of autochangers can be high. 5

Backup Software n n n A specialized software product is required to address the storage device and send data to it for storage. Sometimes a backup program is included with an operating system, but it usually provides only basic functionality. When selecting backup software, consider n n Target selection and filtering Drive manipulation Scheduling Logging and cataloging n n Media rotation Restoring Disaster recovery Network backup functions 6

Target Selection and Filtering n n A good backup program lets you easily select what you want to back up (the target). Most programs use a tree display so you can select entire computers, specific drives, or individual folders. You might not need to back up all of the data on a computer every time you perform a backup. A good backup program provides a variety of filters that let you select targets based on various attributes. 7

The Backup Dialog Box in Windows 2000 Backup 8

Full, Incremental, and Differential Backups n n The most basic type of backup job is a full backup, which backs up the entire contents of a computer’s drives. To save tape and shorten backup time, many administrators perform full backups only once a week or less frequently. During a full backup, the backup software resets (that is, removes) the archive bit on all the files it copies to tape. Between full backups administrators perform incremental and differential backups. 9

Full, Incremental, and Differential Backups (Cont. ) n An incremental backup backs up only the files that have changed since the last backup. n n Resets the archive bit on all of the files it copies to tape Uses the least amount of tape and time to back up Takes longer to restore data A differential backup backs up only the files that have changed since the last full backup. n n n Does not reset the archive bit on the files it copies to tape Uses more tape and time than incremental backups Restores data more easily than an incremental backup does 10

Drive Manipulation n n Backup software lets you select a backup device and prepare to run the job by configuring the drive and storage medium. Backing up to a tape drive may include n n Formatting a tape Supplying a name for the tape Specifying whether to append the backed up files to the tape or overwrite the tape Turning on the drive’s compression feature 11

Scheduling n n The key to automating backups is being able to schedule jobs to execute unattended. Ideally, backups are run when the office is closed and the network is idle, so all resources are available for backup. Backup programs use different methods to automatically execute backup jobs, but the process of scheduling is similar among all products. You specify whether to execute the job once or periodically at a specified time each day, week, or month. 12

The Schedule Job Dialog Box in Windows 2000 Backup 13

Logging and Cataloging n Most backup products maintain a log of the backup process. n n n You can specify the level of detail for the log. You should periodically check the logs. Backup programs catalog the files they back up. n n The catalog is a list of every file backed up during each job. To restore files, you browse the catalog and select the files, directories, or drives you want to restore. 14

Media Rotation n n Backup tapes are typically reused to save money. Use a media rotation scheme so you do not inadvertently overwrite a tape you will need later. There are several common media rotation schemes. One of the most common is Grandfather-Father. Son, in which n n Backup jobs are run monthly, weekly, and daily You have one set of tapes for daily jobs (reused every week), a set of weekly tapes (reused every month), and a set of monthly tapes (reused every year) 15

Restoring n n The ease of locating and restoring files is an important feature of any backup software product. You must perform periodic test restores from your backup tapes to ensure that your backups are valid. A backup program with a database that lets you search for a file makes the job of restoring much easier. To perform a restore: Select the desired files, directories, or drives, usually from a tree display. 2. Specify the location where the selected elements should be restored. 1. 16

The Restore Dialog Box in Windows 2000 Backup 17

Disaster Recovery n n n If the drive in the computer hosting the backup program fails, you may have to completely reinstall the operating system and the backup software before you can restore data. Many backup programs provide a feature that lets you create a boot disk to use for disaster recovery. The disaster recovery feature loads just enough of the operating system and backup program to let you perform a restore. 18

Network Backup Functions n n n Choose a backup program designed for network use, not stand-alone, so you can back up other computers on the network. Fully functional network backup products can back up important operating system components, such as the Windows registry and directory service databases. Some network products have add-ons that let you back up live databases or computers running other operating systems. 19

Lesson Summary n n Magnetic tape is the most popular storage medium for backups because it is fast, inexpensive, and holds a lot of data. An incremental backup n n n A differential backup n n n Backs up only the files that have changed since the last backup Resets the archive bit on copied files Backs up only the files that have changed since the last full backup Does not reset the archive bit on copied files Network backup software is preferable to programs designed for stand-alone systems because it lets you back up data on other computers. 20

Backing Up and Restoring Active Directory n n You back up Active Directory data by using the Backup Wizard in the Microsoft Windows 2000 Backup program. You must know n n The difference between a nonauthoritative and authoritative restore How to use the Restore Wizard in the Windows 2000 Backup program to perform both of these types of restores 21

Performing Preliminary Tasks n n Before you perform a backup, ensure that the files you want to back up are closed, because Windows Backup does not back up files that are locked open by applications. If you use a removable media device, ensure that n n n The backup device is properly installed on the computer running Windows Backup The media device is listed on the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) The media is loaded in the device 22

Using the Backup Wizard n n After completing the preliminary tasks, back up Active Directory service by using the Backup Wizard in Windows Backup. To start the Backup Wizard: 1. Log on as Administrator. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup. 3. In the Backup dialog box, click Backup Wizard. 2. 23

The What To Back Up Page in the Backup Wizard 24

The What To Back Up Page in the Backup Wizard (Cont. ) n n To back up Active Directory, select the Only Back Up The System State Data option. For Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, System State data includes the registry, COM+ Class Registration database, system boot files, and Certificate Services database. If the computer is a domain controller, System State data also includes Active Directory and the SYSVOL directory. When using Windows 2000 Backup, you can only back up System State data on the local computer. 25

The Where To Store The Backup Page in the Backup Wizard n In this page, specify n n n Backup Media Type: the target medium to use, such as tape or file Backup Media Or File Name: the name of the tape or the path to a file Next, specify whether to n n Start the backup now by clicking Finish, or Specify advanced backup options 26

The Where To Store The Backup Page in the Backup Wizard (Cont. ) 27

Specifying Advanced Backup Settings n n When you specify advanced backup settings, you change the default settings for the current backup job only. Advanced backup settings include n n n Type of Backup: Normal, Copy, Incremental, Differential, or Daily How To Backup: with or without verify or hardware compression Media Options: append to tape or overwrite tape Backup Label: name and description for the job When To Back Up: now or later; job name and start date; set the backup schedule 28

Scheduling Active Directory Backup Jobs n You can schedule an Active Directory backup job to occur n n Unattended when users are not at work and files are closed At regular intervals Windows 2000 Backup is integrated with the Task Scheduler service to enable scheduling backups. To schedule a backup, click Later in the When To Back Up page in the Backup Wizard. 29

Preparing to Restore Active Directory n n n Like the backup process, when you restore Active Directory, you restore all of the System State data—you cannot restore individual components. When restoring the System State data on a domain controller, you must choose a nonauthoritative restore or an authoritative restore. The default is nonauthoritative. 30

Nonauthoritative Restore n n In Nonauthoritative mode, any component of the System State data that is replicated with another domain controller is brought up to date, by replication, after the restore is performed. The Active Directory replication system updates the restored data with newer data from other domain controllers. 31

Authoritative Restore n n n If you do not want to replicate the changes made since the last backup operation, perform an authoritative restore. Authoritative restores are commonly used when users, groups, or organizational units (OUs) have been inadvertently deleted. To authoritatively restore Active Directory data: Nonauthoritatively restore the System State data. 2. Run Ntdsutil. exe to mark certain objects as authoritative before you restart the server. 32 1.

Performing a Nonauthoritative Restore n n n To restore System State data on a domain controller, start the computer in Directory Services Restore Mode. You can restore System State data only on a local computer. When restoring System State data, if you do not designate an alternate location for the restored data, Backup n n Erases the System State data that is currently on the computer Replaces it with the System State data you are restoring 33

Using the Restore Wizard n To nonauthoritatively restore Active Directory: 1. Restart the computer and then press F 8 during startup. 2. Select Directory Services Restore Mode from the Windows 2000 Advanced Options menu, and then press Enter. 3. Select Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, and then press Enter. 4. Log on as Administrator, using the password you provided when you promoted the computer to a domain controller. 5. Click OK in the Desktop message box. 6. From the desktop, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup. 34

The What To Restore Page in the Restore Wizard 35

Specifying Advanced Restore Settings Option Function Restore Files To Specifies the target location Choices include Original Location, Alternate Location, and Single Folder. When Restoring Specifies whether to overwrite existing files Files That Already Exist Select The Special Specifies whether to restore security or special Restore Options system files You Want To Use Choices include Restore Security, Restore Removable Storage Database, and Restore Junction Points, Not The Folders And File Data They Reference. 36

Performing an Authoritative Restore n To perform an authoritative restore: Perform a nonauthoritative restore. Run Ntdsutil. exe from a command prompt to designate objects to be recognized as authoritative with respect to other domain controllers configured for replication. 3. Restart the domain controller in normal mode. 1. 2. n Replication will n n Bring the restored domain controller up to date with any changes that the authoritative restore did not override Propagate the authoritatively restored objects to other domain controllers 37

Additional Tasks for Authoritatively Restoring the Entire Active Directory Database n n When you authoritatively restore the entire Active Directory database, you must copy the SYSVOL directory from the alternate location over the existing one after the SYSVOL share is published. When you authoritatively restore a portion of the Active Directory database, you must copy the policy folders corresponding to the restored Policy objects from the alternate location over the existing ones after the SYSVOL share is published. 38

Lesson Summary n n n To back up Active Directory service, back up System State data. You can only back up and restore System State data as a whole. When restoring System State data in Nonauthoritative mode, any component that is replicated with another domain controller is brought up to date by replication after you restore the data. If you do not want to replicate changes made since the last backup, perform an authoritative restore. To perform an authoritative restore: 1. 2. 3. Perform a nonauthoritative restore. Run Ntdsutil. exe to mark objects as authoritative. Restart the computer. 39