Installing a server backup to a different server

[rthomas5]

Hi,
Im wanting to change my server out with a bigger and better
one. Im going from a 400mhz 128mb to 1gb 256mb.
I currently have 2 hard drives mirrored plus I do backups
daily using backup exec 8.6. Iv never done this before
so Im wondering if anybody can give me any help on what to
expect etc.. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[soonerland]

Is your current server a PDC? a BDC? What is the function of the server? Are you planning on taking the HDD's to the new server? Give me a little more info and I will be glad to help.

 

[rthomas5]

The server is a pdc with 1 standalone server.
I have 7 printers connected to it through the network and am sharing those out to the users. wasnt wanting to take the 2 hard drives out. I was wanting to leave those there
just in case this goes bad, I will still have the server
im using now. Nothing in it is scsi also. If you need anymore info just let me know and ill answer back.
Thanks

 

[soonerland]

Well, one more question, are you leaving the old PDC on the network...it sounds that way. If so your new server will need to be a BDC unless you plan on demoting the old one to a BDC. It really isn't a big deal. Just more clarification.

 

[rthomas5]

I plan on keeping the new pdc offline until I get it all the way to where the current one is. Then I plan on taking
the old one offline and bringing the new one online. This
means that I will have to do one more backup of changed files from the old pdc and restore them on the new pdc while nobody is logged on making changes.
Just let me know if I can answer anything else.
Thanks

 

[soonerland]

There are a few things to consider.
1. You only want to have one PDC on the domain.
2. The new one should probably be setup as a BDC.

I take it that the current PDC is a fileserver as well. What are you going to do with the files on the current PDC once you have copied/moved them over to the new server?

If you want a step by step setup...I think I have one available. Let me know and I will be glad to send it to you. Otherwise, install NT (this is where you choose server name, domain, and whether it is a PDC or BDC), make sure of network connections, add service patches, install any anti-virus software, create shared drives if that is what you use and you are pretty well on your way. You should check the event logs to be sure nothing crazy is going on after every reboot. Sounds pretty simplistic and it really is. Until you run into driver problems, etc. Be sure to have all CD's/floppies on hand when doing the install. You might even want a check sheet for yourself.

 

[rthomas5]

I could set the old one up as a bdc but I had planned on
just taking it offline and after a month or so wiping it clean (after I know that everything is well with the new one). Thanks for the help!

 

[soonerland]

You will want to have a PDC online. You can go without one for some period of time but it is not advisable.

If you need anything let me know.

mvaughn@nciinc.com

 

[rthomas5]

no, i meant bring the new one online and make it a pdc and
promote the current one as a bdc.
Thanks for all the info.
I really mean it.

 

[soonerland]

When you finally bring the new server online, yes you can make it a PDC and then demote the original PDC to a BDC. There is a MS article about this.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q167248

Check this out, it will be helpful.

 

[rthomas5]

hi again,
Iv done the full restore to the new server and all my files
are there. Its not putting the sam back or something.
My users are not there, my printers are not there and the
nt workstations are not in the list of computers when I
bring up server manager. What am I doing wrong or what files are those in? Maybe if I just restored those files.
Thanks

 

[dneisler]

Why not just load it the old fashioned way?? I think you will be much better off in the long run.

Sorry can be more help.

 

[soonerland]

I agree with dneisler. Why not just start the server from scratch...get it all setup and on the network then you can load your files from backup. If you get it on the network you will get the registration that you need from the synchronization.

You should at that time be able to see all the printers, workstations and other servers. Then load your backup files.