Backing up a Domain Controller

[chrism]

is it enough to just back up the System State of a domain controller ?

For example, if I have the system state backed up and I completely reinstall
Windows 2000 Server,
patch it, etc, will I be able to restore the System STate and everything
will be fine ?

Should I give the computer the same name as before, etc. ?

This is confusing, I wish Microsoft had some clear procedures available on
this.

thanks for any insight.

 

[Joe Richards [MVP]]

Have you seen

http://www.microsoft.com/windows200...00/en/server/help/sag_restore_DC_overview.htm

 

[Herb Martin]

is it enough to just back up the System State of a domain controller ?

No, not in general.

Do you care about anything else on that machine?

You can get the DC running again, but then if it is ONLY
a DC (and not your 'only' DC) it can be re-created by other
means (re-install/DCPromo; system state of another DC)

For example, if I have the system state backed up and I completely reinstall
Windows 2000 Server,
patch it, etc, will I be able to restore the System STate and everything
will be fine ?

The DC part will work. What about other programs/data?

Should I give the computer the same name as before, etc. ?

It it is the "same machine", you can. Same machine means
it fully replaces the original and uses the same system state
and provides the same services.

This is confusing, I wish Microsoft had some clear procedures available on
this.

Do a system state backup perhaps more often than a full backup.

Also look at "ASR" in Win2003 server.