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If I do not want to restore the DC from backup I could rebuild the DC and then restore AD from the backup correct?
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If I do not want to restore the DC from backup I could rebuild the DC and then restore AD from the backup correct?

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I would like to know the best way to backup AD and our DC's. We currently have 4 DC's running AD 2008 R2. I am backing up the system state right now but I wanted to know if anything else needed to be backed up. Also, should I perform these backups on all 4 DC's?
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I would like to know the best way to backup AD and our DC's. We currently have 4 DC's running AD 2008 R2. I am backing up the system state right now but I wanted to know if anything else needed to be backed up. Also, should I perform these backups on all 4 DC's?

What should I backup for our AD 2008 R2 domain

Active Directory (AD) is a Microsoft brand for identity-related capabilities. In the on-premises world, Windows Server AD provides a set of identity capabilities and services, and is hugely popular (88% of Fortune 1000 and 95% of enterprises use AD). This topic includes all things Active Directory including DNS, Group Policy, DFS, troubleshooting, ADFS, and all other topics under the Microsoft AD and identity umbrella.

Active Directory

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, based on the Microsoft Vista codebase, is the last 32-bit server operating system released by Microsoft. It has a number of versions, including including Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Web, HPC Server, Itanium and Storage; new features included server core installation and Hyper-V.

Windows Server 2008

The term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.