We just backup everything on a 2003 SBS to tape every night but I was thinking of doing more to speed up disaster recovery.

The idea is that all our data, on it's own drive, is backed up as usual every night, including the Exchange server data but once a week, we make a c:\ drive backup or image using something like Norton Ghost which is copied to an external hard drive.

In case of disaster, we buy a new server, recover the c:\ drive image, load our backup software, restore the data from tape and away we go.

Does this seem the best way to achieve a good solution?

Thanks.

That's good in theory, but here's what you're missing:
"we buy a new server, recover the c:\ drive image"

Stop right there.  Unless you are able to obtain the same exact new server (or darn close), a Ghost image restore probably won't work on dis-similar hardware.  As you get further out in time, obtaining the same server is almost impossible.

So, if you're thinking, in your disaster recovery scenario, that the original server is dead/gone/not fixable, you need a hardware independent imaging solution.

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1275350&page=4

If you have a spare server sitting and waiting for you - Ghost will be just fine.

Thank you that. I have done a little investigation and it seems that Symantec System Recovery is a product that addresses exactly the concern you mention and will restore to dissimilar hardware.

If so, then my initial backup idea is looking better!

It wasn't a bad idea as a whole, just that aspect might trip you up.  You SHOULD also have some sort of offsite backup as well - either via online backup product or taking a physical backup offsite (tape, hard drive).

It's not the best to rely on somebody to A) swap out external hard drives or tapes for backup AND B) take them offsite with them.

But, if you have someone reliable, it can work.

Finally, never assume the backup is working.  Always check the logs AND periodically pick a backup to restore to PROVE you have useful data.  There is no more empty feeling than grabbing just the backup media you need to save your bacon, trying to restore it and something is wrong that prevents you from getting data back.

It can also get you fired.

"There is no more empty feeling than grabbing just the backup media you need to save your bacon, trying to restore it and something is wrong that prevents you from getting data back."

Yes, I have had that and yes, I very nearly got fired over it!

Thanks for the comments.

Have a look at ShadowProtect.  It's a very good product for creating image backups of Windows Servers.  

I would second the suggestion of holding an offsite copy of the backups for Disaster Recovery purposes.  Either by cycling media offsite or by using an online backup service.  In my view online backup is the better as you don't have to have someone remember to take tapes or disks offsite everyday and the bring back the correct media for reuse.
 

Lee Mason
Optimal Projects Ltd
www.opl.co.uk
www.backupsanywhere.com

^^ Right about trusting someone vs. online backup.  I would follow up (check up on them) periodically to make sure things are proceeding.  Don't trust your rear end to someone else without looking over their shoulder.

The thing with external drives (and I've seen this).  People have two external drives.  They swap them out weekly or whatever and take one off site.  Something happened to the one drive and it changed drive letters.  So, NO backup was being sent to the M: drive (whatever letter) when it was plugged in because backup was set to run to the L: drive.  So, of course, disaster happens and the most recent backups were going to the drive where no backup was occurring.  Ooops, ouch.