Learning Windows Server 2003

Backing Up Your Machines

The oft-neglected process of backing up your machines and the critical data they contain is perhaps the most effective insurance policy you can take out for your business. It’s like exercise: although nearly everyone knows that it’s an excellent idea and vital to health, not everyone does it. Fortunately, Server 2003 includes a backup utility in the box which performs this function at a basic level. This section will discuss how to use the GUI frontend, Backup, and how to access the same features from the command-line using the core NTBACKUP program for enhanced automation possibilities.

NTBACKUP can perform several different types of backups.

Copy

Copies all selected files but does not mark each file with a cleared archive attribute. Copy backups can be performed completely independently of other backup procedures without affecting their sets.

Daily

A daily backup backs up all files modified since the last day. With a daily backup, the archive attribute is not cleared.

Differential

A differential backup copies new files and other files modified since the last normal or incremental backup. It does not mark files as having been backed up. To restore a complete backup, you’ll need the last normal backup (covered later) in addition to the last incremental backup.

Incremental

An incremental backup backs up files created or modified since the last normal or the last incremental backup. It does mark files as having been backed up. To restore a complete backup, ...