How to Use Automatic Server Backup
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 offers a full system backup feature that can store the content of the operating system, data drives and configuration settings onto one or more external drives. This backup can then be used to restore the server using only the installation disk, saving significant time in a disaster. The feature can also be used to backup part of the server, or use multiple external disks in rotation. For best performance the server can dedicate one or more external or internal drives to the backup feature, and also schedule regular backups to run automatically.
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Instructions
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Attach a Hard Drive and Install the Backup Feature
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Connect an external USB hard drive to a power source and then attach the USB cable to an available USB port on the server. Follow any on-screen prompts to configure the drive if necessary. Alternately, an internal hard drive can be used for backup, but installing one is beyond the scope of this article.
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Launch Server Manager by clicking on "Start" > "Settings" > "Control Panel" > "Administrative Tools" > "Server Manager."
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Select "Add Features" from the "Features Summary" menu.
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Select "Windows Server Backup Features" from the menu. If command line options are desired, expand the menu choice by clicking on the plus sign next to the "Windows Server Backup Features" choice and select "Command-Line Tools." A pop-up will warn that to install the Command-Line tools, the Windows PowerShell feature will also need to be installed. Choose to add required features.
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Click on "Next" to begin adding the feature to the server. Click on "Install" on the following screen and reboot the server if prompted to do so after installation.
Configuring a Backup
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Launch the backup service interface by clicking on "Start" > "Programs" > "Administrative Tools" > "Windows Server Backup." Select "Backup Schedule" to set a daily schedule for automatic backups. Alternately, a single backup can be performed by selecting "Backup Once."
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Click on "Next" and then "Choose Full Server" to do a complete backup or "Custom" to select particular volumes to backup. Click "Next."
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Select the desired schedule for the daily backup and then click on "Next." Select the check box next to the drive or drives that will be used for backup. If a drive does not show up, click "Show All Available Disks" to expand the list. Choose "Next" to continue. Choose "Yes" on the warning screen to format the drive(s).
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Click on "Next" and then "Finish" to format the drive(s) and save the schedule.
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Tips & Warnings
By using two backup drives, one can be stored off-site to protect critical files from disasters such as fire or theft. The software will automatically use the drive that is present at the time of the backup.
Dedicated backup drives should have any volume on them deleted before using them for backup for the first time. This will delete any data on the drive.
When dedicating a hard drive or flash drive to the backup program, any data on the drive will be lost. Complete backups of the operating system and data will be all-or-nothing backups, meaning that to restore any data, the entire server will be restored to the state it was in when the backup occurred. Single files will not be recoverable individually, and any changes made to the server configuration or to any data files since the last backup will be lost.
References
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