Quick Guide to Systems Management Server Backup & Recovery
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With an enterprise solution like Systems Management Server, you must prepare quick resolutions to site problems—including site failure. Having a plan in place for both backup and recovery operations gives you an edge that minimizes data loss and maximizes uptime.
Make sure you understand exactly what's at stake. This page includes a quick look at the learning and troubleshooting resources that are available.
What Is a Site Recovery?
An SMS Site Recovery occurs whenever an SMS site is installed with a site code or site server name that was previously used in that SMS hierarchy. The most important recovery tasks are to repair and resynchronize data so that you prevent interruption of operations and corruption of data.
Planning for Maintenance, Backup, and Recovery
Before failures occur at your site, make sure you have a thorough maintenance plan in place. It's far more cost-effective to monitor your SMS sites and hierarchies regularly for developing issues and take corrective action on the spot. To put a plan together, use these resources:
| • | For a high-level list of the unique issues to consider before planning backup and recovery operations, see Overview of SMS Maintenance, Backup, & Recovery. |
| • | To prepare a plan that helps you reduce the risk of site failure and understand exactly what's involved in recovery, see Recovery Planning. |
| • | To understand how to move an SMS site server from one computer to another, see Swapping Site Hardware Using Windows NT Backup. |
Recovering Sites and Hierarchies
You can always recover after a site failure. The important question is: What is the best way to reduce data loss while recovering normal site operations quickly? To answer this question, follow these steps the next time you're faced with a site recovery:
1. | Verify that your scenario is supported. Refer to the Supported Scenarios page. |
2. | Determine the correct steps to use to recover your site and get guidance during your recovery operation. Use the Recovery Expert. |
Assessing Your Recovery Cost
During the recovery process, try to develop a more accurate picture of the bottom line. That is, as the recovery operation proceeds and data is collected, make sure you know the answers to these questions:
| • | How much data loss will there be? |
| • | How much labor will it take to compensate for the data loss and restore the hierarchy to normal operations? |
| • | How much time will it take to restore normal operations? |