Backup in Windows Server

[antgel]

If we use the Backup utility to back up an entire server to a USB hard
disk, how does reinstall work? Do we simply install Windows Server, run
Backup, and restore? How does this work, given that it might try to
copy over system files in use etc?

I suppose the same question goes for tape. Is there any practical
difference?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

If we use the Backup utility to back up an entire server to a USB hard
disk, how does reinstall work? Do we simply install Windows Server, run
Backup, and restore? How does this work, given that it might try to
copy over system files in use etc?

I suppose the same question goes for tape. Is there any practical
difference?

As you wrote, this is a two-step process:
1. Install Windows Server in a different directory, e.g. c:\WinTemp
2. Use ntbackup to restore the original installation.

I strongly recommend that you try the process with a spare
disk while not under pressure.

A much fast way consists of taking an image of the server,
using a suitable third-party product, e.g. Acronis TrueImage.
This allows to to speed up the recovery process enormously:
1. Boot from the TrueImage Recovery CD.
2. Restore the image.

Again you must test this method while you can.