I'm running a small network with two servers: one is a Win2k domain controller and the other is an exchange server. These are backed up nightly to a Dell Powervault DDS drive. In order to be fault tolerant, I'd like some real assurance that the backups taking place will in fact allow our company to recover from a serious disaster.
I have a machine that I would like to use as the test restore machine; win 2000 server is installed on it (this install is as vanilla as it gets, I've only installed win2k server on there, haven't configured it in the slightest). I assume that the first step is to have a very recent backup, which I've got. THen I assume the step after that is to install Exchange on the fresh Win2k machine. But after that, I'm kind of hazy on how to proceed. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Very urgent. Thank you.
There are many guides on how to do such things...
In my opinion, you may need to do the following in order to truely simulate a disaster:
1. Prepare the suppose to be restored Exchange Server using the same configuration as the one that is in 'Production' (i.e. IP address, name, domain and forth - do this while the Exchange is disabled from the network).
2. Now, heres the tricky part - shut down the 'production' Exchange and remove the tape (do not turn on the Exchange until the whole process is complete), attach the tape to the 'New Server' and install all propper software (i.e. NTBACKUP)...
Please Note: If you have a DDS tape somewhere all early shutdown procedures are not nesessary; just install the other tape on the 'New Server' and install all software you need.
3. Now, begin restoration process:
http://www.mailmsg.com/Email_server_exchange_backup.htm
4. Attach the 'New Server' to the Network (while the 'Old Server' is unplugged)...
After verifing everything is working than, everything is cool...
Two strong suggestions (Use them even if you wont accept my advise):
a. Commit the test in time where you have the lowst activity (i.e. at night).
b. Write every step you make - This will be your best Disaster Recovery (DR) booklet.
Good luck
Cyber