IIS backup strategy

[bill]

I regularly backup my websites on my IIS server by using batch files, but I don't necessarily backup the operating system and program files. I was wondering whether other IIS users actually went to the extent of backing up their entire IIS servers.

I ask this as I've got a bit of budget left over for software and I was looking at some of the disk imaging backup solutions like Symantec and Acronis. Any suggestions or recommendations?

[carguy84]

I don't backup my OS, just the data that's on it(website files). I don't see the point in it, as if I'm at the point where I need to build from an image, I have no problem just installing the OS from scratch. My webservers don't run anything but IIS and SMTP so the config is easy. Imaging software can get expensive.

I use a free backup software that automatically ftps(to another server onsite) changes on the websites every night, same with the DB. Weekly we run offsite dumps using sonicwall's CDP device. Can never have enough insurance...

Chip-

[bill]

<shameless bump>
So nobody bothers with full server image backup products?

[Easy_Coder]

No I don't either.

I drop the os on the c drive and IIS on the d drive and back d with backup exec.

[Bluesplinter]

No, for the system (not data), I rely on mirrored RAID. If both drives get fried, then a rebuild is likely to be the least of my concerns, especially considering that if both drives failed, it's probably because the box blew up or something :) I have a failover server in case the whole box goes down, so I'd just reinstall the system stuff, and not worry about trying to ghost it.

If one drive fails, I just pull it out (hot-swap, so no down time), and plug in a new one.

Data is backed up offsite, but system stuff... nah.

[pageoneresults]

We use Acronis True Image Server 9.1 and backup everything.

[oxbaker]

I use the windows backup and only backup the data and sites, no bother with the OS.

mcm

[aspdaddy]

Were looking into this actually, But I have been told they dont work as well for servers as clients.

You have to have a bare metal rebuild strategy of some sort. Windows Updates make it easier to rebild now as they all roll-up, so at present we just have a copy the OS, SQL app, twice daily sql.bak, any Components used on a disk, weekly wwwroot, csv export of users/computers. Printoutts of security/permissions and any configs. With that lot I estimate 4-6 hours rebuild on new hardware. An image would probably half that - if it worked.

The ones I know of -

Vertitas have the intelligent recovery option, if you use vertitas backup exec already it sound like a decent solution.

Maxtor "One Touch" external drives have an image option too.

We use Acronis True Image Server 9.1 and backup everything

Have you needed to use it yet? If so how was it? Will it work on different hardware?

[pageoneresults]

Have you needed to use it yet? If so how was it? Will it work on different hardware?

lol! You're asking the wrong person. :)

I'll send an email off to my server admins asking for more input from them. But, if they are using it, I know it has to be good as everything else is top notch.

[mrMister]

An Image should work across different hardware in most cases. Windows will detect the different hardware and prompt you to install the new drivers.

In a few cases, I've known Windows to bluescreen under certain hardware changes, but a quick reinstall of windows usually fixes it without losing any of your Windows settings.