Module 11: Backing up and Restoring Data
Introduction to the Windows NT Backup Program |
To back up and restore data:
- The tape drive must be supported on the HCL.
- User must have appropriate rights
- All users can back up files/folder for which they have the
Read permission.
- To back up all files and folders, a user must have the
Backup Files and Directories user right.
- To restore all files and folders, a user must have the
Restore Files and Directories user right.
- Members of the Backup Operators or Server
Operators groups have these right.
NT Backup only supports backing up to tape
Guidelines for backing up data:
- Critical files and folders
- Registry on any Domain Controller (in here there is a copy
of directory database)
Backup can only backup the Registry or event
logs on computers where the files are located.
- Periodically back up files that seldom change or not
critical info.
- Do not back up temporary files, as they change constantly
and are rarely used to recover data.
Determining the Backup Type to Use:
There are 5 backup types or methods. Use a combination of these types in your strategy.
Type |
Backs Up |
Marker |
Normal |
All selected files and folders. |
Yes |
Copy |
All selected files and folders. |
No |
Incremental |
Selected files and folders if
changed since the last back up. |
Yes |
Differential |
Selected files and folders if
changed since the last back up. |
No |
Daily Copy |
Files and folders that changed
during that day |
No |
Windows NT can set a back up marker, also known as the
archive attribute. This indicates that the file has been backed up.
Backup Sets, Catalogs and Backup Logs |
- Backup set is used to
describe a group of files or folders on a single volume from a single back up
operation.
- Family set. This term is used when a single back up
operation requires multiple tapes.
- A Catalog is a graphical
representation of the back up. Windows NT automatically creates catalogs during a backup
and stores them on a tape. Two types:
- Tape catalog shows all the back up sets on a tape.
- Backup set catalog shows all files and folders in the
backup set.
Before you restore files, you must load the catalogs. Than
you can select the backup sets, files and folders that you want to restore.
- Backup log is a text file
that records backup operations.
Setting Tape and Backup Options |
include pages 224-225
If you select Backup in Administrative Tools, in the
Backup dialog box, click Backup and set the following options:
- In Tape Name box, type a name that identifies the
server being backed up (up to 32 characters). If you also select the Append option, the
Tape Name box is not available.
- Operation
- Append--> adds a new backup set
- Replace--> overwrites the old backup set
- Verify After Backup--> confirms files are backed
up accurately.
- Backup Registry--> adds a copy of the registry to
the backed up set. Only available if you select at least one other file on the volume
containing the Registry file.
- Restrict Access to Owner or Administrator -->
limits access to the tape to Administrators, Backup Operators or user who performed
backup. If you back up the Registry you should select it.
- Hardware Compression --> select this option if
you use this tape with tape drives that support data compression. Only available if tape
drive supports it.
- Backup Set Information box
- Description
- Backup Type box; same options as in table.
- Log File box (default D:\WINNT\BACKUP.LOG)
- Full Detail --> logs all backup information (names,
skipped, corrupted)
- Summary Only --> logs only major backup operations
(loading tape, starting backup, failing to open a file)
- Don't Log --> no info is logged
Scheduling a Backup Using a Batch File |
You can schedule a batch file backup using the At command
(At.exe) to run at a specific time.
Syntax:
ntbackup backup [pathname [options]]
Ntbackup.exe options:
Option |
Description |
/a |
Appends backup set after any
existing backup set |
/b |
Backs up local Registry, but
only if you back up another file from the same volume. |
/d "text" |
Describes backup set.
Description appears when you view the tape dialog. |
/e |
Logs exceptions, such as summary
log |
/l filename |
Assigns a file name to the log
file; default D:\WINNT\BACKUP.LOG |
/r |
Limits access to the tape to
Administrators, Backup Operators or user who performed backup. |
/t {Normal |Copy |
Incremental | Differential | Daily} |
Specifies backup type. Default
type is Normal. |
/v |
Confirms that files were backed
up accurately. |
/hc: {on | off} |
Enables or disables hardware
compression for tape drives that support it. Default is hardware compression off. |
cmd /c net use x:\\servername\sharename |
Connects to a remote share |
cmd /c net use x: /delete |
Disconnects from a remote share |
The Schedule Service must be running on the computer that
will run the scheduled task.
The following table describes the At.exe options
Option |
Description |
\\computer_name |
Specifies a remote computer. |
id |
Assigns an identification number
to a scheduled command |
/delete |
Cancels a scheduled command |
time |
Specifies the time the command
is to run (24 hour time notation: 00:00-23:59) |
/interactive |
Allows the job to interact with
the desktop of the user who is logged on at the time the job runs. |
/every:date[,
] |
Specifies the weekdays or days
of the month a command is to run. |
/next:date[,
] |
Specifies the next weekdays or
days of the month a command is to run. |
"command" |
Specifies the program or batch
file to run. |
Tips for backing up:
- A good backup strategy.
- Keep documentation for each backup.
- Perform a trial restore periodically to verify that your
files were properly backed up.
- Keep a record of multiple backups in a calendar format
showing the days you do backups.
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