Module 11: Backing up and Restoring Data


NT Administration Notes
Introduction	Users	Groups	Admin
Shares	NTFS	Printing 1	Printing 2
Auditing	Monitoring	Backup

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:

Always back up:

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 Information box

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

Using the At Command

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.

Top of page

Comments and suggestions? E-mail me at grantwilson21@yahoo.com I'm sorry, but I can't answer specific network-related, or exam-related questions.
Last Updated: August 6, 2001	Grant Wilson, Edmonton, AB Canada