Replacing The Server's C Drive

[Me]

Running a small 2K network with just one server, so it is the Primary Domain
Controller.

Year's back, before I was administrator, the primary harddrive was partioned
(C: & D. Last week Active Directory shut down due to the lack of space on
C drive. I was able to clear up enough space to get the Active Directory
running again, but I know that I need to get more drive space for drive C.

I know that I could use a repartioning program to take care of the problem,
but the current harddrive in the server is over 4 years old and I thought it
best just to replace it with a new one, before a major physical problem
occurs.

I am using Vertais Backup Exec for Servers Ver 8.6, to back up the server. I
am backing up system state.

I have the following questions;
1. After replacing the HD and installing W2K from CD and all the current
patches and SPs, will restoring the System State from the Vertais Backup,
restore my AD and allow the clients to boot into the system and be
recongized?

2. It is a small network, 14 computers total. Would it be better just to
rebuild the domain?

All ideals and comments are welcomed

Thanks
BobK

 

[Ron Gabaree]

Hi Bob,

Why not use Symantec's GHOST product to simply ghost the existing drive to
the new drive? This would be an easy approach without the need to rebuiild
the OS at all. Other than that.....you can simply install Windows 2000 in a
different directory (like WINDOWSTEMP).....install Veritas.....and perform a
full resotre from tape.

I hope this helps....

Ron

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I don't believe ghost is designed for server OSes.

I'd add more HDs and move the data there. You can also use ServerMagic to
re-partition the C drive.

 

[Ron Gabaree]

Hi there....

Are you sure? I have used it to ghost NT4 and Win2k servers in the past. I
haven't worked with it on a server in a year or so...and am wondering if
some new information has surfaced.

Thanks....
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

"From the Symantec Ghost central management console, IT managers can
remotely clone any Windows NT or Windows 2000 workstation" -
http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/products/products.cfm?ProductID=3

That may not sound specific enough, but I'm pretty sure it isn't
certified/supported to clone servers themselves. That's not to say it won't
run, but that it isn't supported....

Hi there....

Are you sure? I have used it to ghost NT4 and Win2k servers in the
past. I haven't worked with it on a server in a year or so...and am
wondering if some new information has surfaced.

Thanks....
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

I don't believe ghost is designed for server OSes.

I'd add more HDs and move the data there. You can also use
ServerMagic to re-partition the C drive.

 

[Brian Oakes [MSFT]]

Honestly what I would do is the following.

Build another DC, and then transfer ALL the roles and make sure this new box
is the primary dns etc. Then you can move the data over live and minimize
down time. Also then you can rebuild the other server in your spare time.

Worse comes to worse you can then repeat process to move back to the
original hardware. Sometimes the slow way is the best as it calls for less
assumptions.

--

Best regards,
Brian Oakes, MCSE
Microsoft Product Support
Windows 2000 Server Networking Team

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights.
Please reply to the newsgroup so that others may benefit.

 

[Ron Gabaree]

Hi there,

I would refer you to the following document ID on Symantec's website.
Document ID:1999012108164025

Or this URL:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ghost.nsf/034d12503a06d36c8525692d0046d
bfa/51809cb4473378958825670000596a6a?OpenDocument

Ghost does support the need of the original person posting this message at
the beginning of this thread. Unfortunately, the Symantec guys aren'y very
forward about the support Ghost has for servers in the opening statements
about the product....as you pointed out.

Please understand it isn't my intention to "match wits" here. Simply
put....Symantec's Ghost can be a tremendously effective product when used in
the correct environment to complete certain tasks.

Thank You,

Ron

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

"From the Symantec Ghost central management console, IT managers can
remotely clone any Windows NT or Windows 2000 workstation" -
http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/products/products.cfm?ProductID=3

That may not sound specific enough, but I'm pretty sure it isn't
certified/supported to clone servers themselves. That's not to say it won't
run, but that it isn't supported....

Hi there....

Are you sure? I have used it to ghost NT4 and Win2k servers in the
past. I haven't worked with it on a server in a year or so...and am
wondering if some new information has surfaced.

Thanks....
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

I don't believe ghost is designed for server OSes.

I'd add more HDs and move the data there. You can also use
ServerMagic to re-partition the C drive.

Ron Gabaree wrote:
Hi Bob,

Why not use Symantec's GHOST product to simply ghost the existing
drive to the new drive? This would be an easy approach without the
need to rebuiild the OS at all. Other than that.....you can simply
install Windows 2000 in a different directory (like
WINDOWSTEMP).....install Veritas.....and perform a full resotre from
tape.

I hope this helps....

Ron


Running a small 2K network with just one server, so it is the
Primary Domain Controller.

Year's back, before I was administrator, the primary harddrive was
partioned (C: & D. Last week Active Directory shut down due to
the lack of space on C drive. I was able to clear up enough space
to get the Active Directory running again, but I know that I need
to get more drive space for drive C.

I know that I could use a repartioning program to take care of the
problem, but the current harddrive in the server is over 4 years
old and I thought it best just to replace it with a new one,
before a major physical problem occurs.

I am using Vertais Backup Exec for Servers Ver 8.6, to back up the
server. I am backing up system state.

I have the following questions;
1. After replacing the HD and installing W2K from CD and all the
current patches and SPs, will restoring the System State from the
Vertais Backup, restore my AD and allow the clients to boot into
the system and be recongized?

2. It is a small network, 14 computers total. Would it be better
just to rebuild the domain?

All ideals and comments are welcomed

Thanks
BobK

 

[Jetro]

Use Ghost, it clones everything and anything unless it's dynamic disk.
You'll just spend 10-15 min or so to ensure.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Wow, they don't half bury that information on their site, do they? Good to
know this. I've used ghost for desktop rollouts before with great success,
and I wouldn't want to clone a server anyway, to be honest - plus on the doc
you sent:

"Ghost can clone a server if done for backup or migration purposes. However,
in most cases, Ghost cannot clone a server for rolling out that server to
many computers, and Symantec does not support Ghost when used for this
purpose."

Thanks for updating me, though. I'm bookmarking that page as I will surely
never find it again!

Hi there,

I would refer you to the following document ID on Symantec's website.
Document ID:1999012108164025

Or this URL:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ghost.nsf/034d12503a06d36c8525692d0046d
bfa/51809cb4473378958825670000596a6a?OpenDocument

Ghost does support the need of the original person posting this
message at the beginning of this thread. Unfortunately, the Symantec
guys aren'y very forward about the support Ghost has for servers in
the opening statements about the product....as you pointed out.

Please understand it isn't my intention to "match wits" here. Simply
put....Symantec's Ghost can be a tremendously effective product when
used in the correct environment to complete certain tasks.

Thank You,

Ron

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

"From the Symantec Ghost central management console, IT managers can
remotely clone any Windows NT or Windows 2000 workstation" -
http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/products/products.cfm?ProductID=3

That may not sound specific enough, but I'm pretty sure it isn't
certified/supported to clone servers themselves. That's not to say
it won't run, but that it isn't supported....

Hi there....

Are you sure? I have used it to ghost NT4 and Win2k servers in the
past. I haven't worked with it on a server in a year or so...and am
wondering if some new information has surfaced.

Thanks....
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
message I don't believe ghost is designed for server OSes.

I'd add more HDs and move the data there. You can also use
ServerMagic to re-partition the C drive.

Ron Gabaree wrote:
Hi Bob,

Why not use Symantec's GHOST product to simply ghost the existing
drive to the new drive? This would be an easy approach without the
need to rebuiild the OS at all. Other than that.....you can simply
install Windows 2000 in a different directory (like
WINDOWSTEMP).....install Veritas.....and perform a full resotre
from tape.

I hope this helps....

Ron


Running a small 2K network with just one server, so it is the
Primary Domain Controller.

Year's back, before I was administrator, the primary harddrive
was partioned (C: & D. Last week Active Directory shut down
due to the lack of space on C drive. I was able to clear up
enough space to get the Active Directory running again, but I
know that I need to get more drive space for drive C.

I know that I could use a repartioning program to take care of
the problem, but the current harddrive in the server is over 4
years old and I thought it best just to replace it with a new
one, before a major physical problem occurs.

I am using Vertais Backup Exec for Servers Ver 8.6, to back up
the server. I am backing up system state.

I have the following questions;
1. After replacing the HD and installing W2K from CD and all the
current patches and SPs, will restoring the System State from the
Vertais Backup, restore my AD and allow the clients to boot into
the system and be recongized?

2. It is a small network, 14 computers total. Would it be better
just to rebuild the domain?

All ideals and comments are welcomed

Thanks
BobK

 

[Ron Gabaree]

I completely agree with you regarding the "rolling out" of the server. The
only real purpose I could see it having is increasing the size of the boot
drive on a server. Other than that it's purpose is likely limited....


Talk with you later.....
Ron
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

Wow, they don't half bury that information on their site, do they? Good to
know this. I've used ghost for desktop rollouts before with great success,
and I wouldn't want to clone a server anyway, to be honest - plus on the doc
you sent:

"Ghost can clone a server if done for backup or migration purposes. However,
in most cases, Ghost cannot clone a server for rolling out that server to
many computers, and Symantec does not support Ghost when used for this
purpose."

Thanks for updating me, though. I'm bookmarking that page as I will surely
never find it again!

Hi there,

I would refer you to the following document ID on Symantec's website.
Document ID:1999012108164025

Or this URL:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ghost.nsf/034d12503a06d36c8525692d0046d

bfa/51809cb4473378958825670000596a6a?OpenDocument

Ghost does support the need of the original person posting this
message at the beginning of this thread. Unfortunately, the Symantec
guys aren'y very forward about the support Ghost has for servers in
the opening statements about the product....as you pointed out.

Please understand it isn't my intention to "match wits" here. Simply
put....Symantec's Ghost can be a tremendously effective product when
used in the correct environment to complete certain tasks.

Thank You,

Ron

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

"From the Symantec Ghost central management console, IT managers can
remotely clone any Windows NT or Windows 2000 workstation" -
http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/products/products.cfm?ProductID=3

That may not sound specific enough, but I'm pretty sure it isn't
certified/supported to clone servers themselves. That's not to say
it won't run, but that it isn't supported....

Ron Gabaree wrote:
Hi there....

Are you sure? I have used it to ghost NT4 and Win2k servers in the
past. I haven't worked with it on a server in a year or so...and am
wondering if some new information has surfaced.

Thanks....
"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
message I don't believe ghost is designed for server OSes.

I'd add more HDs and move the data there. You can also use
ServerMagic to re-partition the C drive.

Ron Gabaree wrote:
Hi Bob,

Why not use Symantec's GHOST product to simply ghost the existing
drive to the new drive? This would be an easy approach without the
need to rebuiild the OS at all. Other than that.....you can simply
install Windows 2000 in a different directory (like
WINDOWSTEMP).....install Veritas.....and perform a full resotre
from tape.

I hope this helps....

Ron


Running a small 2K network with just one server, so it is the
Primary Domain Controller.

Year's back, before I was administrator, the primary harddrive
was partioned (C: & D. Last week Active Directory shut down
due to the lack of space on C drive. I was able to clear up
enough space to get the Active Directory running again, but I
know that I need to get more drive space for drive C.

I know that I could use a repartioning program to take care of
the problem, but the current harddrive in the server is over 4
years old and I thought it best just to replace it with a new
one, before a major physical problem occurs.

I am using Vertais Backup Exec for Servers Ver 8.6, to back up
the server. I am backing up system state.

I have the following questions;
1. After replacing the HD and installing W2K from CD and all the
current patches and SPs, will restoring the System State from the
Vertais Backup, restore my AD and allow the clients to boot into
the system and be recongized?

2. It is a small network, 14 computers total. Would it be better
just to rebuild the domain?

All ideals and comments are welcomed

Thanks
BobK

 

[Me]

Thanks, Ron.
I hadn't thought about using Ghost. Would it make a difference that the new
drive will be larger. The current C: drive is only 4 GB and I am planning on
installing at least a 40 GB drive.

Bob