System State Restore

• Overview
• System State Components
• Restoring System State
• Restoring System State .bkf file from the StoreGrid Backup Server
• Restoring the .bkf file into the system through NTBackup utility

Overview

System state restores the critical operating system configuration files. These backup files can be used to recover the system components after a server crash. StoreGrid uses Windows NT backup utility to backup System State and Active Directories.

System State Components

The following system components are restored through System State restore

• Boot files, including the system files, and all files protected by Windows File Protection (WFP). Active Directory (on a domain controller only).

• Sysvol (on a domain controller only).

• Certificate Services (on certification authority only).

• Cluster database (on a cluster node only).

• Registry.

• Performance counter configuration information.

• Component Services Class registration database.

The list of system state components is dynamic and may change depending on service pack and operating system features installed.

With a system state backup, you cannot restore an individual file or system component due to the dependencies among the system state components.

StoreGrid can backup and restore System State files. System State Backup is configured like any other files and folder backup from the "Add Backup Schedule" page. Choose the "System State" entry in the tree and configure the backup.

StoreGrid uses the NTBackup utility tool to extract the System State data and store it as .bkf file in the directory where StoreGrid is installed. By default, the dump location will be <StoreGrid_Home>/plugin-data/SystemState/.

Restoring System State

Before restoring the files backed up, ensure the following:

1. Install the operating system, service packs and patches as installed before.

2. Install the applications including StoreGrid with same StoreGrid ID as before.

3. Configure the network settings as before.

4. Install the Active Directory with the same settings like FQDN name, SYSVOL, and SYSLOG path etc.

5. Restore the System State .bkf file into a separate directory.

Restoring System State backup using StoreGrid is a two step process:

1. Restoring System State backup generated bkf file from the StoreGrid backup server to the machine where system state is to be restored.

2. Restoring System State into the system from the .bkf file using NT backup utility.

Restoring System State .bkf file from the StoreGrid Backup Server

1. In client machine’s StoreGrid web console top menu, select "Restore". Under it choose "List Backups For Restore".

   

2. It takes you to the list of backup schedules available for restore.

   

3. Click the ‘Restore’ icon under the action column of the system-state backup schedule.

4. Restore Backup Data page opens.

   

   Step 1: Select the Backup Server from the dropdown list of servers.

   

   Step 2: Next, select version to restore.

   

   Step 3: Select Files and Folders: Here either you can directly select from Let me select the file/folders from the tree view Or give the complete path for the file/folder to be restored.

   

   Step 4:

   

   • Provide the password if the backup schedule is password protected.

   • Specify the machine where the data is to be restored. By default it is the client machine from which the backup was scheduled.

   • Specify the location where the .bkf file to be restored to.

Restoring the .bkf file into the system through NTBackup utility

The procedures for System State restore differs depending on whether the restore is to a domain controller or to a non-domain controller. The system configured as domain controller must be restarted in the "Directory Services Restore mode" to restore Active Directory. There is no need to boot in a special mode in the non-domain controller configured systems.

To restore the system state, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. If it is a Domain Controller system, start the system in "Directory Services Restore Mode" by the selecting the Directory Services Restore Mode in the BIOS

2. Log into system with an administrative account

3. Open the NTBackup utility from the Windows "Startup->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Backup" menu.

4. In the NTBackup UI, open the Restore Wizard from the "Tools->Restore Wizard" menu item.

5. In the Backup or Restore Wizard window, click Next.

   

6. In the Backup or Restore wizard window, select Restore files and settings and click Next.

   

7. It will take you to the "Restore Wizard". Click on the "Import File" button and choose the system state bkf file from D:\dontdelete\ directory (from step 1).

   
   

8. The tree will show a System State entry. Select the System State entry and click Next.

   

   NOTE: If the system state is not restored in Directory Services Mode (in domain controller system), the restore operation will fail with the following pop up.

   

   Restart the system in the "Directory Services Restore mode" and restore.

9. On completion of restore operation, the following window will be displayed.

   

10. In the advanced options, select the following fields:

    

11. The Where to Restore window is displayed. In the Restore files to field, choose Original location, and then click Next.

    

12. The How to Restore window will be displayed. Select Replace existing files, and then click Next.

    

13. Click Finish to begin the restore process and then click OK.

    

14. Now the registry and system files will be restored in this machine. Restart your system after the restore is complete.