Steps To Execute a Successful Windows Server Backup

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Small businesses as well as Information Technology professionals in medium or large scale companies can make use of easy-to-setup Windows Server Backup for backup and recovery. Windows server backup can be configured on any computer system that runs on the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 OS (Operating System).

Earlier, windows backup functionality revolved around NTbackup.exe but now the backup and recovery technology of Windows Server 2008 Operating System is few notches higher in performance.

Why use Windows Server 2008 Backup Functionality?

With standard command line tools and MMC (Microsoft Management Console), it’s possible to configure an efficient and easy-to-use backup and recovery system with Windows Server 2008 Backup for daily uses. It’s possible to backup selected or all volumes. You can even schedule backups according to the system date. Besides scheduled updates (daily, weekly or monthly), you can also opt for one time backups on some occasions. Windows backup software can be used to recover data in the event of hard disk failure. The backup can be configured on both local and remote workstations.

Back up is no doubt the foremost requirement of all the businesses in today’s world.

A back up strategy has to be followed whenever you need to successfully back up data.

Below is the information that can guide you for windows server 2008:

How to Backup Data with Windows Server 2008?

You can install and utilize Windows Server 2008 Backup only if you have the membership of either one of Administrators’ or the Backup Operators groups.

Open the Server Manager on Windows Server 2008 and install the following tools in order to access backup/recovery tools.

  1. MMC (Microsoft Management Console) snap-in
  2. First Command Line Tool i.e. Wbadmin
  3. Second Command Line Too i.e. Cmdlets – this tool provide you with PowerShell command options.

Once the installation of MMC, command line tools and PowerShell is complete, you can access the backup options in Storage Node of the Server Manager.

Step By Step Windows Server Backup & Recovery Installation

  1. Click on the Start button and open the Server Manager.
  2. In the Server Manager window, open the Features. It’s on the left side.
  3. Click on Add Features to open a new wizard.
  4. In the newly opened wizard, you can add features by clicking on Select Features option.
  5. Under the Windows Server Backup Features, select the options Command Line Tools and Windows Server Backup.
  6. To complete addition of new features, click on Add Required Features button.
  7. The installation of selected features will begin once you confirm all changes you’ve made on Server Manager.
  8. Results of the ongoing installation are displayed on the Installation Page.
  9. Done.

Accessing Windows Server 2008 Backup and Recovery Tools

The Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in can be accessed through the Administrative Tools (Accessible through the Start menu). In the administrative tools, the snap-in can be accessed from Windows Server Backup. You can make all required settings in the wizard that opens after opening the Windows Server Backup.

Wbadmin can be accessed from the command line by anyone with administrative privileges. You can run the command line as an administrator. Right click on the Command Prompt (after expanding the Start menu) and choose Run as an Administrator.

If you’re unsure of what to do, it’s advisable to have a professional configure backup and recovery options. Importance of hiring a professional IT support company lies in the fact that the possibilities of data loss in the event of hard drive failure or other malfunctions are eliminated to a great degree.

Important Considerations

  1. If you’re upgrading a previous installation of Windows Server Operating System, you’d have to reconfigure backup and recovery options.
  2. If you want to have scheduled backups for all your workstations in office (and remote workstations), you’d require a dedicated disk for that.
  3. The volumes that can be backed up by using Windows Server 2008 Backup features are NTFS formatted. Also, hard drives should be attached locally.