Looking for suggestions on testing my server backups

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We run a full backup every week night. We have run test restores of the server to external USB drives without to many issues and are fairly confident that is we had to us the backup it would put the files back in the order that they were before said failure.
What we are not sure of is would the server boot back up with the restore ran, and everything put back in place? and I am looking for suggestions on simulating this type of scenario. We run SBS 2003 and do still have our old server. But that machine is a Compaq ML350, it do not have nearly the CPU, Storage, or memory as the newer Dell Poweredge that we are using now. So if I could use the universal restore on that old machine, would it boot or break under the stain of the bigger operating sysem. Oh, the Compaq did run server 2000. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!
Thanks!

Wed, 11/11/2009 - 16:34
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Hello Anthony,

Thank you for posting your question, I will be happy to help.

Actually, the most reliable way to check the functionality is to recover the archive to swapped hard drives. If you want to simulate the disaster recovery, it should be performed on the same computer. As you know, if you recover the archive to another server, you should use Acronis Universal Restore to add the necessary hard drive controller drivers and replace the HAL. This procedure is a little bit more complicated, but you can try it.

1) First of all, please make sure that you can use Acronis Bootable Rescue Media. Boot the system under it and go through the Recovery Wizard, don't hit the Proceed button. 

If the CD fails, please try ISOLINUX CD. We have implemented the possibility to download the appropriate ISO file after logging in to your account (the serial number should be registered). Please log in to your account, go to the Registered products and downloads section -> Bootable media. Download the file.
You can find more information on how to burn an ISO image to a CD here.
2) Before restoring the backup of your machine to a machine with dissimilar hardware, please make sure you have drivers for the hard disk drive controller or chipset drivers. These drivers are critical for booting the operating system.

You can download the drivers for your motherboard on the Vendor's web-site. Please note, if you downloaded the drivers in *.exe, *.cab, *.zip format, you should extract them first.

I can suggest you to specify the drivers manually during the recovery. Hardware Vendors usually provide separate drivers for SCSI or RAID controllers. IDE or SATA drivers are usually included into the chipset drivers for the motherboard. On the Specifying Mass Storage Drivers screen click Add to specify drivers (don't use the default option, in your case the best way is to add them manually).

Please see this article for more information. 

Please do not hesitate to ask additional questions if the provided information is not clear or you need a further assistance. 

Thank you.

Thu, 12/03/2009 - 13:03
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truwrikodrorowrelupicugojestutroclulachosaswunuhospikigawakijosaswenomaruclojeueclikaspedrubewidebrisubrohutrurifruuagothunugekedrumucisiuobrobrecrupeslapuswosluprothethibakaslechurathikucli
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I have had many corrupt backups that were recorded as sucessful. The last thing i would EVER want to d,o unless it was neccesary at this stage was wipe out a working server to test my backups.

We purchased Universal Restore and i use a UR enabled boot CD to test our backups. I restore a HP ML350G4 server to a Dell Vostro220s workstation. It isnt that fast but at least you arent wiping out production data to test a product that many people have issues with.

I have had so many problems and corrupt backups that i have the brand new Dell Vostro for nothing but testing Acronis backup images.

For the peace of mind, and the ability to restore to dissimilar hardware, the cost of UR is reasonable.
If i didnt have UR and a machine to test my backups, i would stop using Acronis, and find another product that i could trust.

Sat, 12/12/2009 - 18:42
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Hello Darryl!

Thank you for your comment.

I regret to hear that you had issues with corrupted backups, and I just would like to mention that Oleg meant nothing but the ability to test the recovery onto any blank HDD - it can be even attached to the source machine. Should it be restored properly - you can be sure that it will be recovered with Acronis Universal Restore as well. So as you see there is no need in wiping out the data to test the backup. Also you can schedule the validation task - it runs separately and identifies issues with the backup.

I would also suggest preventive measures, they are simple to follow and may save your time and nerves: do not forget to run the check disk command (Start -> Run -> cmd -> chkdsk /r /f) on the source and the target drive attached (should it be the external drive), make sure that internet connection is stable on the moment of saving the backup over the network and feel free to contact us should you have any questions and concerns.

Thank you!

Wed, 01/13/2010 - 18:35
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Yana,
I have run chkdsk so many times since BR10 was released, my servers have a raid configuration and to simply restore to a hard drive wouldnt tell me if the server had successfully restored unless i shut it down and booted from the other drive. In my case, that would mean taking a production machine down disconnecting it from the network, bringing it up with the restored drive (after reconfiguring it to boot from one disk and not the raid set) and testing it. Unfortunately i cannot have the servers down that long, and i cant leave them connected to the network while testing backups or they will corrupt the data which is from a later time on the SAN.

I know you guys are trying really hard to fix the problems in BR10 and i am very impressed with the sudden greatly increased and quality response from you guys here in the forums.
For the record i backup to a directly connected hard disk over an eSATA link. I like to test backups on different hardware for the simple reason that if there is a real problem, the chances of having the exact hardware are really not that likely, simply because to get hold of a new 'last year' server is more time consuming than getting the latest hardware off a shelf delivered next day.

Good advice no matter what product people use, is to check the backup and do test restores if you need them. My worries with Acronis have only occured since 1. BR10 and 2. finding backups 'successful' that dont actually restore.

Thu, 01/14/2010 - 10:41