AJPhelps
asked on
Implications of backing up a bkf file
Scenario:
I have a Win2003 Server and a 3rd party backup program (doesn't matter which one for this question)
-Win2003 server's backup can not write directly to a DVD rewritable (per Microsoft)
-The 3rd party backup software can only backup the registry but not the entire system state (per the software company)
-I must back up the system state and other files to DVD but cannot install any other backup software (by choice)
Proposed solution:
Use Win2003 backup to back up the system state and save the backup project as "systembu.bkf"
Use win2003 backup to back up the other data.
Use the 3rd party backup software to backup the bkf files to DVD.
If a restore is required, I would restore the bkf files from DVD back to their original location on the server using the 3rd party software, then restore the bkf files through Win2003 server backup for a total solution.
Now the question:
When the server creates the bkf files, does it also append specific information that requires the original file untouched in order to create a proper restore? Or, do 3rd party backup software change the backed-up files in any way that would interfere with a proper backup through the server's backup?
Finally, are bkf files just that? Just files that can be placed here or there, or moved around (independent of the program that created them as long as one doesn't manipulate the file itself?)
I've tried to test the theory myself but am really unsure about the results. It seems to work but I'm hesitant to thoroughly corrupt any important system files to try this out.
Thanks
AJPhelps
I have a Win2003 Server and a 3rd party backup program (doesn't matter which one for this question)
-Win2003 server's backup can not write directly to a DVD rewritable (per Microsoft)
-The 3rd party backup software can only backup the registry but not the entire system state (per the software company)
-I must back up the system state and other files to DVD but cannot install any other backup software (by choice)
Proposed solution:
Use Win2003 backup to back up the system state and save the backup project as "systembu.bkf"
Use win2003 backup to back up the other data.
Use the 3rd party backup software to backup the bkf files to DVD.
If a restore is required, I would restore the bkf files from DVD back to their original location on the server using the 3rd party software, then restore the bkf files through Win2003 server backup for a total solution.
Now the question:
When the server creates the bkf files, does it also append specific information that requires the original file untouched in order to create a proper restore? Or, do 3rd party backup software change the backed-up files in any way that would interfere with a proper backup through the server's backup?
Finally, are bkf files just that? Just files that can be placed here or there, or moved around (independent of the program that created them as long as one doesn't manipulate the file itself?)
I've tried to test the theory myself but am really unsure about the results. It seems to work but I'm hesitant to thoroughly corrupt any important system files to try this out.
Thanks
AJPhelps
The bkf files are indepenent, you can back them up to another device such as DVD or CD ROM, when you need restore them just point the microsoft backup software at them and restore them as normal.
ASKER
It seems to me that you're saying that I can copy the bkf files at will to different media with no ill effects.
I'm taking it a step further to see if using MSbackup (we can just use MS backup again for simplicity) to backup a MSbackup changes the nature of the file. Not a simple cut and paste or drag and drop to a DVD writer.
Thanks.
AJP
I'm taking it a step further to see if using MSbackup (we can just use MS backup again for simplicity) to backup a MSbackup changes the nature of the file. Not a simple cut and paste or drag and drop to a DVD writer.
Thanks.
AJP
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ASKER
Ah man, I see now that I left out one piece of rather important information for the reason I'm backing up in ths fashion:
I need to create the backup on to DVD fully automated. As stated before, MSBackup can not burn straight to DVD media, and the 3rd party doesn't save the system state. Hence the double backup solution. But the important factor here is fully automated, from MSBackup creating the bkf to the 3rd party backing up to disk. No user interaction.
The concensus so far seems to be that the files are just files, to be moved, copied, burned, at will, as long as the restores are done correctly.
Thanks
AJP
I need to create the backup on to DVD fully automated. As stated before, MSBackup can not burn straight to DVD media, and the 3rd party doesn't save the system state. Hence the double backup solution. But the important factor here is fully automated, from MSBackup creating the bkf to the 3rd party backing up to disk. No user interaction.
The concensus so far seems to be that the files are just files, to be moved, copied, burned, at will, as long as the restores are done correctly.
Thanks
AJP
Try this - not with the system state per se, but with some files. Back them up on one system, take that .bkf file to another system and restore them by importing (cataloging) the .bkf file. this is pretty much the same procedure for restoring the system state. (Though if you had to, you'd have to reinstall windows manually to the EXACT same path and then do a system state restore.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks people,
WeHe, this is exactly the path I have to follow. Question though, have you ever had to do a restore from these files? I suspect there was not a problem if so based on the tests I've done so far.
leew, with the 2 of you confirming this, it looks like the answer is there. Thanks much.
AJP
WeHe, this is exactly the path I have to follow. Question though, have you ever had to do a restore from these files? I suspect there was not a problem if so based on the tests I've done so far.
leew, with the 2 of you confirming this, it looks like the answer is there. Thanks much.
AJP
there was never a problem.
we did this on our DC's as networker was not verified for W2K3 for a while.
and we had to restore 2 DC's with that solution.
no problems with that.
we did this on our DC's as networker was not verified for W2K3 for a while.
and we had to restore 2 DC's with that solution.
no problems with that.