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Usually to save space on backups, some people will only backup their data volumes, and when you need to recover a server use a server template to deploy a new server and then just attach the data volumes and import the data.<br />
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It is easier and faster to restore a whole VM in one go, rather than having to reconstruct a server with different volumes. <br />
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It will really depend on the size, if it is possible the whole VM is easier to restore. If not, data separate.
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This is not a VM. it is a physical PowerEdge in our office. &nbsp;Azure is used only ofr backups.<br />
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Thanks,<br />
cja
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I typically use Windows Server Backup to an external USB drive for the OS drive. &nbsp;It will allow a fairly quick complete restore of the OS if those drives fail and put you right back where you were at the last backup. &nbsp;It always seems to be more trouble than expected to recreate a server and get everything exactly right. &nbsp;For the cost of an external drive ($100-150) and &quot;free&quot; software, this seems like a good option.
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rindi<br />
It is a file server. &nbsp;As far as access to files and folders that would be pretty simple, not that many shares on it. &nbsp;I just wanted to make sure Ii was not missing something. &nbsp;<br />
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One more question, if I have to add new OS drives, and reinstall Server OS, will data drives still have the files on them? &nbsp;The OS drives and data drives run off the same RAID controller, which is a perc6i.<br />
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thanks,<br />
cja
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Sure. Unless you do some miss-configuration and break something.
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Hello Experts<br />
<br />
<br />
I have a file server that has the operating system on two drives in RAID 1 and the data is stored on 7 drives in RAID 5. &nbsp;All data is backed up to Azure. &nbsp;Is it necessary to backup the file server's C drive if all the &quot;important&quot; data is stored on separate drives in that server? &nbsp; The reason I ask is if this server crashes, and I'm forced to replace the os drives and or the data drives, I would reinstall the os and then restore all data from Azure on the new drives. &nbsp;Any input is appreciated.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
cja
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Hello Experts


I have a file server that has the operating system on two drives in RAID 1 and the data is stored on 7 drives in RAID 5.  All data is backed up to Azure.  Is it necessary to backup the file server's C drive if all the "important" data is stored on separate drives in that server?   The reason I ask is if this server crashes, and I'm forced to replace the os drives and or the data drives, I would reinstall the os and then restore all data from Azure on the new drives.  Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
cja

File Server backup

Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, is a technology consisting of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data. In addition to local storage devices like CD and DVD readers, hard drives and flash drives, solid state drives can hold enormous amounts of data in a very small device. Cloud services and other new forms of remote storage also add to the capacity of devices and their ability to access more data without building additional data storage into a device.

Storage

Servers are computing devices that are similar to desktop computers in that they have the same basic components, but are significantly different in size, configuration and purpose. Servers are usually accessed over a network, and many run unattended, without a computer monitor, input device, audio hardware or USB interfaces. Many servers do not have a graphical user interface (GUI), and are configured and managed remotely. Servers typically include hardware redundancy such as dual power supplies, RAID disk systems, and ECC memory, along with extensive pre-boot memory testing and verification. Critical components might be hot swappable, and to guard against overheating, servers might have more powerful fans or use water cooling.