Restore AD

[Ed]

Hi all,

I have a problem in regards to restoration of AD.
I am using NTBackup to backup the system state of our DCs (we have 2 of
them). When I tried to restore the backed up file (as outlined in KB 263532)
to computer with different hardware configuration, I got the computer up but
it is nowhere near to the DC that I was backing up. Am I doing something
wrong? Or there is extra to just following the steps in KB 263532?
The reason for doing this is my boss likes to simulate the situation where
our whole site is lost and we have to rebuild everything (AD, file server,
app. server, mail server etc) from backup. And at that time it might not be
able to acquire the exact hardware to have the site up and running (which we
want to minimize the down time). Thus restoring the AD is a critical step in
restoring our site.
Would anybody shed some light on this? Many Thx
Ed

 

[Herb Martin]

Sorry I was away for a few days and couldn't reply to this post.

When I first restored the backup after a fresh installation of Windows 2K
server in the computer, I performed an in-place upgrade repair as suggested
(Point 5, scenario 2 in KB 263532). Following through with the rest in the
same article I finally re-booted the machine and able to log on (after a
long wait during the startup screen "Preparing Network Connection").
However, I was unable to find the network adapter originally on the DC.
Instead I only got the adapter in this restored computer. But the IP address
used in the DC is still "occupied" by this restored computer. Thus I need to
use another IP for this restored computer. Also I am having difficulties in
configuring the DNS.

No, if you read the complaining dialog CLOSELY you will see that you can
override and ACCEPT the same IP by NOT choosing Ok. It's a backwards
prompt to encourage you to fix what they think is a problem.

One more thing about this is that the SYSVOL is not in the same place of
where it was on the DC. The content is different and does not contain any
scripts (and other files) that was on the DC.

Did you restore the System State to the same place? If not SysVol can be
restore to ANY location and just XCOPY /s back over the top of the
current version.

So the questions are :
1. Does the backup of System State alone is enough in restoring the AD? Or I
have to specifically include folders such as SYSVOL folder to completely
backup the AD?

SysVol is part of System State and should have restored same location.
(You can still restore it separately as indicateed above.)

2. If the outline in KB 263532 is not enough, any other resources available
in helping out to complete this task?

The ResKit documents it -- I don't know that article (from the number.)