Question

Question about SBS2003 restoration

Asked by: JeffParton

I have in the past created cloned images of partitions in Server 2003, using Ghost, and saved off the images to another server.  In the event that the server died, I could fix the issue and use Ghost through a boot CD and restore the images back to the partitions and everything would be ok.  The images were usually of the C: drive and D: drive respectively.  I have used this procedure for DC's as well, but NEVER have tried it on a DC who owned the FSMO roles.

Question: I have a client who we sometimes support who has an SBS2003 server.  It is a DC and it is the ONLY server they have so it would have everything on it (FSMO, Global Catalog, etc, etc, etc).  The monkey who set it up originally created 1 RAID5 container with all drives then created 2 partitions on the single RAID.  1 for C: - OS install and 1 - for Data.  This is ok except he made the C: = 12GB and the Data = 285GB.  The Exchange databases, and friggin everything else is on the C: drive so they are now out of space.  

I want to Create Ghost images of the C: drive and D: (data) to another server of mine, rebuild the RAID structure (yes still two partitions total) and restore the original images back to the C: drive and the D: drive.  Basically, putting the 12GB original to a 80GB "new" C: drive, and the D: drive (who only uses 62GB or the 285) to a much smaller D: drive.  I have had this work successfully, as I said before, in multiserver environments.  

I need to know if doing this to an SBS2003 will work?  Will it still come up as it did before as the ONLY DC, AD intact, Exchange still working, SQL still working.  I know it can on a normal server but I have little experience in SBS2003 when it is the ONLY server in a domain.  Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated.

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Asked On
2009-10-23 at 07:45:33ID24838096
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Microsoft SBS 2003 Server

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Microsoft Operating Systems

,

Windows 2003 Server

,

SBS Small Business Server

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Answers

 

by: khashayar01Posted on 2009-10-23 at 08:02:59ID: 25645072

If you take an image using ghost, as long as you restore it back on the same hardware the size of the drive should be irrelevant and you will be fine but

 

by: renazonsePosted on 2009-10-23 at 08:07:26ID: 25645118

This procedure will work fine as long as Ghost can actually see the RAID when it goes to restore. You'll need to boot to Ghost initially to see if it works at all. It's common for cloning software, from my experience, to have no idea what some RAID controllers are (ie:PERC). If it sees it you should be good to go and I've done this exact thing with Acronis, SBS 2003 whilst migrating to an entirely new controller.

Although, it's very easy to move the Exchange Databases, disable IIS logging and move the page file to the other storage volume if that will give you enough space on C? Otherwise, check to see if it sees the RAID and if it doesn't you can always check out Acronis too.

 

by: MPECSIncPosted on 2009-10-23 at 09:39:05ID: 25646067

You can move the Exchange databases _really_ easily:
 Exchange Management under Advanced in the SBS Console.
 Create the folder on the Data partition you want them to locate in.
 Bring up the database properties indicating their location.
 Click on the Browse button and navigate to the created folder.
Exchange will move those databases.

Also, where is your X:\WSUS directory? If it is also on C:, then use the Microsoft method to move them:
 http://blog.augustoalvarez.com.ar/2009/01/25/wsus-30-connecting-managing-and-moving-susdb-as-internal-database/

Philip
 

 

by: JeffPartonPosted on 2009-10-23 at 11:54:20ID: 25647228

@MPECCInc - When moving the Exchange databases as you mentioned, it will move them for me or do I need to move then and then browse to the actual database or does the Browse simply point to the folder?  How does it know where to get the databases from for the copy to the new location?  Is there an Exchange procedure I need to do to keep the "live" data after the move?  

Or do I make the change, then overwrite something Exchange creates with the "live" databases after the move take affect?  It this is not an issue, does it actually "move" them or does it "copy" them and leave a "copy" in the old location that needs to be deleted?

 

by: renazonsePosted on 2009-10-23 at 11:59:30ID: 25647269

When you go through the procedure he gave you, Exchange will dismount database and completely move the database to the new location you choose and re-mount the database when it's done. You can do this for both public and private stores. Also, you can move all the log files using the same method (log files can take up tons of space if you don't do full backups nightly). Within ESM right click and go to properties of the First Storage Group and move the log files with the same method as above.

 

by: MPECSIncPosted on 2009-10-23 at 12:09:28ID: 25647363

You simply point to the new folder and Exchange does the work of moving the dbs.

Philip

 

by: JeffPartonPosted on 2009-10-27 at 08:01:28ID: 25673160

I know I haven't posted or accepted yet.  I will be accepting, i am just waiting until after I do the rebuild which is on November 13.  I want to leave this open just in case I have issues relevant to my question during the rebuild.  I apologive for the time but I am posting to let you know I haven't abandoned the question.  i will be splitting between renazonse and MPECSInc and a little to khashayar01 since the answer was correct but no details.

 

by: activitPosted on 2009-10-28 at 03:24:04ID: 25681520

I agree with the comments about moving the edb and stm files for the exchange store.  We use Storage Craft Shadowprotect IT Editon for doing backup/restores, and it allows easy disk resizing.  I would not leave the C drive as 12GB that is just insane.  Are u going to do a raid1 for OS and raid 5 for data. If so Shadpwprotect will make it all happen very painlessly

 

by: JeffPartonPosted on 2009-10-28 at 07:21:10ID: 25683490

No I'm not going to use a raid1 for OS and raid5 for data, I would love to, but the server only has 4 hard drives.  The raid1 and raid5 would take a minimum of 5.  I plan on using the existing raid5 and re-partition it for a 50GB C: OS and the rest for Data and moving the exchange databases to the Data drive after putting the images back on the repartitions.  I will also be redirecting all logs and pagefile to the Data drive as well.  I can't do anything about the installed apps on C: but the 50GB should suffice since any changes to the installed apps will be upgrades and not "new" apps.  

So Storage Craft Shadowprotect can resize partitions without losing data on the fly?  Happen to have a website I can check this out at?  This may save me a ton of time, for if the images fail I will have to rebuild the thing and i don't really have the time to do this.  I will still make images, just in case with whatever solution I do as a "just in case" scenario I will at least have the images.

 

by: activitPosted on 2009-10-28 at 12:37:14ID: 25687333

You can resize but it can be tricky you may want to resize the Dara drive with acronis partition manager first

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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