Windows Server 2003 disk image software ? 1

[Pehooo]

Does anyone know of any disk image software (like Ghost that will let me take a working image of our server) that is compatible with Server 2003. I can not find any anywhere? Thanks

 

[ntinlin]

Symantec have a util that I forget the name of that can take live snapshots that can be used for restores. Used to be called V2i but they have renamed it.

Also Paragon Drive Backup Server and Acronis True Image Server.

Although they all tend to be about 5-10 times the price of a workstation version for no real additional functionality.

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/imagew.html

- Is a lot cheaper, I think this is an extension of a previous util that was used by BartPE (

http://www.nu2.nu)and

it says it supports W2003 NTFS. Haven't tested myself as yet but it is on my own list.

Neill

 

[daveh777]

The Syamntec product that backs up Windows 2003 Server is called LiveState. I use it and it's great, it not only takes full images but incremental ones as well. I use it in conjunction with veritas to ensure all my systems are backed up.

Another great function of this software is that you can browse the backup image, so for instance if your SYSTEM file gets corrupt then you load the server from the Livestate CD, browse to the image file (LAN, CD, DVD) then locate and restore the SYSTEM file. All in all your servers down for about 5 minutes.

Dave

 

[DColcl]

Wow. LiveState? I'll go and see how much this costs.

Newb question Incoming:
By taking a "Snapshot" of the server, are you refering to having a back up made of the entire server, or just the OS?

My server is about 239+GB SBS2k3. Logic tells me that if I may a snapshot of this server, I am going to need a HD simular to the size of the original, no?

 

[daveh777]

Correct.

Livestate can backup partitions though. In my enviroment I have all the OS's on smallish sized partitions (10GB to 30GB), the data is on the rest of the disk. Livestate backs up the OS and I use backup exec for the data. Livestate can also chop up the image file to smaller sizes so you can burn them to DVD if you wish.

whatever you choose to do you still need a decent sized storage backup server. For instance on a particular file server I have a 20GB partition for the OS and 120GB partition for the data, I do full and incrementals of both partitions using livestate and exec. These backups are put onto a RAID 5 storage array with a storage capacity of 600GB. This is enough to hold 4 full backups and 20 incrementals, this give me the ability to restore data for a 4 week period. Monthly backups are then put onto tape and stored offsite.

Livestate and backup exec both have the ability to compress the data quite a bit so the storage server doesn't need to be 1:1 ratio.

Dave

 

[daveh777]

heres a link

http://sea.symantec.com/content/product.cfm?productid=23

 

[encinitas]

would that symantec livestate recovery work to restore a snap-shot image to a completely different server, say if there was a hardware problem? and if so, would the new box have to be same hardware?
thanks.

 

[daveh777]

No, unfortunatly the hardware needs to be exactly the same, so it would be wise to build your server farm with identical servers and buy spares for them.

 

[daveh777]

just read your post properly, sorry.

Yes you are correct, you can restore the image to another server, as long as the new server had the exact same hardware.

 

[shaneisurgod]

I prefer Acronis True Image Server.

 

[daveh777]

Hi Shane,

out of curiosity can you tell me why you prefer Acronis? What functionality or improvements over LiveState does it have? It does look promising but I've never used it, I may get it if it's better than LiveState.

thanks
Dave

 

[encinitas]

from the LiveState Advanced Server Suite 6.0 fact sheet:

"New! Rapidly recover entire systems to dissimilar hardware platforms or even to virtual environments with the Restore Anyware Option"

I'm wondering how dissimilar!

 

[ZipperHeadMan]

Will any of these software packages "image" a server with a RAID 5 configuration?

 

[daveh777]

I have a RAID 5 Array on an "HP 641 smart array controller" with 2 partitions. 1 partition is the OS, the other is shared data. The OS has been successfully restored using symantec Livestate onto the 1st partition.

 

[johnny99]

Take a look at Platespin

http://www.platespin.com/Products/PowerConvertRecovery.aspx

It could be what you are looking for.

/johnny

 

[encinitas]

i'm about to buy a few PowerEdge 2850's, all with RAID 5. so I'm wondering again if using the Symantic or Acronic product will suffice for disaster recover by taking an incremental image every night. most important is my Exchange 2K3. if either one can handle that, i'll be an eternal hero.

dave777- what apps did you restore with symantec? and

thanks in advance

 

[Seaspray0]

We're using a solution called NetVault. One of the nicer features is you can restore individual files or individual mailboxes in exchange. We use it to backup all the servers.

A+/MCP/MCSE/MCDBA