backup utility for windows 2003 server questions

[chipperjonesrules]

we have one server that was setup to use the built-in backup utility to backup certain files to a folder on a second server, and then that file is backed up to tape on the second server.

without doing a restore, how do I find what is being backed up?
I am having some difficulty finding what exactly is being backed up every day by the backup utility.

how do you view the actual job, see what is selected to be backed up?

 

[dailyatom]

You can look at the file/folder catalogue for the backup job within the Windows backup application without performing a restore.

Using the server which performs the backup to file, open the backup utility on the server which performs the backup. You should see a set of tabs including "Backup", "Restore and Manage Media" and "Schedule Jobs".

Select the "Restore and Manage Media" tab. On the left of this window you should see one or more backup files listed. Look for the name of the backup file you have, e.g. backup.bkf. you should see an entry similar to <filename.bkf> created <date> at <time>.

Click the relevant entry to expand it. You can then keep expanding the folder structure that appears to see the files and folders that have been backed up in that particular backup file for a specific date. A complete list of files and folders will be displayed in the larger box on the right.

Robert

Daily Atom IT Services

http://www.dailyatom.com

 

[dailyatom]

All of the selections for the job can also be viewed. The default save location for the backup set selections file is C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NT Backup\data.

On the server which performs the backup job to a file, you can load a backup set selections file by selecting the "Backup" tab then choosing "Load Selections" from the "Job" menu. Select a backup selection file (.bks) from the file dialog which appears and click open. Once opened, the "Backup" tab change to show a tick next to each folder and/or drive which is selected as part of that backup set.

You can expand the folder list on the left to show more details on the sub folders which are also backed up. The box on the right of the Backup tab will show all folders and files which are selected as you navigate the folder structure.


Finding the correct settings file with multiple backup jobs
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If you don't already know the name of the backup job, open Windows backup on the server performing the file backup and select the "Schedule Jobs" tab. Here you'll see a calendar view. A small icon resembling a tape drive and magic wand will be displayed on the days which have a scheduled backup.

Click the tape drive/magic wand icon for the next day on which the next backup will be taken and you should see a dialog appear for the Sceduled Job Options". Click the "Backup Details" tab to display the backup set path, device path and job summary.

The job selections are stored in the Backup set file (.BKS extension). The path is probably too long to be fully displayed in the "Backup set" field. You can get around this by clicking near the right hand side of the box displaying the path. You might need a couple of clicks but at the end of the path, you'll see the Backup set selections file name (e.g "Backup.bks).

If the server has multiple jobs defined and scheduled, you may have to use the Device field to check that the backup filename matches the backup file you're querying to make sure you have found the right job information. In that case you may have to chack a few entries on the schedule before you find the relevant backup job.

Robert

Daily Atom IT Services

http://www.dailyatom.com